Rockcrusher incredibly dark?

[Spaceboy]

I just got a Rivera Rockcrusher and I'm trying to get a decent tone with it. This is my first experience with attenuators or trying to DI a tube amp.

I have an AC30C2, I'm sending the external cab output to the Rockcrusher, and it's output to another 2x12 with Greenbacks. When I attenuate on any db setting there is a severe drop in the high end spectrum that even the EQ edge switch doesn't bring back. It robs all the chime from the AC30 and leaves it dull. I thought maybe that's just the nature of attenuation and tries to use the line outputs into my interface, which is a little Audient iD14. The balanced line output sounded weird and I figured that my inputs are maybe designed to only take mic level when using XLR. So I used the unbalanced 1/4" output and it sounded much better, but it's still very dark. I am using Two notes WOS plugin and have to EQ it as well to get something usable. My software modelers and even my Liverpool SansAmp sound more like playing through an AC30 than the real AC30 does through the Rockcrusher.

Some of you dudes have some experience doing this sort of thing. How I messing this up?

 

[midnightlaundry]

Seems like the lower the power, the darker it sounds. I had this problem when I tried to run my TA-15 thru it.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

To answer your question, when you run straight from the line out/balanced out into your interface, it's basically the sound coming straight from your amp before it hits the speaker. It will sound harsh and nasty until use WoS or another IR plugin to apply the mic'd speaker effect.

I have the RC Recording, and use the speaker sim, but occasionally I turn it off and use WoS to see the difference, and the sound coming out with the speaker sim off is horrid. WoS does a good job cleaning it up, but also make sure you're not using the WoS preamp section, as that will cause you problems, too.

I basically only use the speaker/mic, and sometimes the controls to the right of the speaker room (if I feel it adds something). The pic shows what I usually have turned on.

Hope this helps.

 

[Spaceboy]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm using Two Notes WOS plugin and Ownhammer IRs without any of the other features from the plugin.

I'm also going to try "attenuating" by using the DI out into a small solid state poweramp into a cab rather than using the attenuator function. Any reason this wouldn't work?

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm using Two Notes WOS plugin and Ownhammer IRs without any of the other features from the plugin.

I'm also going to try "attenuating" by using the DI out into a small solid state poweramp into a cab rather than using the attenuator function. Any reason this wouldn't work?

I've never tried anything like that, so I honestly don't know how it will turn out.

 

[HilltopExplosion]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm using Two Notes WOS plugin and Ownhammer IRs without any of the other features from the plugin.

I'm also going to try "attenuating" by using the DI out into a small solid state poweramp into a cab rather than using the attenuator function. Any reason this wouldn't work?

Yeah, that will work. Use the line out level as a volume knob, so make sure it's turned down before you hook it up

 

[Spaceboy]

Yep, the experiment was a success! I slaved the DI output to the poweramp input of my bassists little Ampeg Portaflex into a Greenback loaded cab, and it sounded so much better than padding down the guitar amp with the attenuator. I guess this is the method behind the Fryette Power Station, but it has a 6L6s to reamp the DI sound. I'll need to invest in a small solid state poweramp to make this method of attenuation usable at home.

I also exhausted myself by going through my IR library and found some that better compliment the DI'd Vox. I had saved a handful of presets that seemed to work with pedals and plugins, but those are apparently too dark with a real amp. I think I've been compensating for dark IRs with bright plugins and peals. It's not 100% the sound I want yet, but I'm on the right track.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

That seems like a lot of extra steps, but if it works for you, then I guess that's good.

 

[CEG85]

It shines when used with loud NMV style amps.
Use mine with a Marshall super lead for a while and its been solid.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

Dumb question, because I didn't think to ask it earlier.

When you record through the RC, do you turn the dial over to "studio"? Does it make a difference in what you're hearing?
Also, where do you set your "line out level" knob at?

 

[keennay]

I stopped using the Torpedo Wall of Sound software and went with RedWirez mixIR2 plugin. Wow, much better! The WOS was a colossal pain in the ass to configure on-the-fly.

More here:
http://groomednoodlers.com/forum/viewto ... =20&t=2012