speaker/cab impulses

[Neeklaus]

ok, I'm getting back into the modeling/preamp/rack setup again.... and it seems like it's time for me to get hip and with it and figure out what everyone is talking about.

Can someone explain speaker/cabinet impulses to me?

what's the difference between these and say a Line 6 model of a cab?

why the term "impulse"?

and why, when I download them, are they .wav's that just sound like a click?? lol

and before anyone gets long winded and explains exactly how to use them- i don't even have the gear in my hands to use the impulses yet so don't waste your time quiet yet, we'll cross that bridge when i get to it. but I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to load these into what I'm getting.

Thanks ahead of time!

Nick

 

[roadifier]

I found this on Gear Slutz:
Generally - 'impulses' refers to specially prepared samples of reverb, or other signal processes. The word is a shortened slang term, which should more correctly be called impulse response audio files, or something equally nerdy.

If you clap your hands or fire a gun in a hall, the dry hand clap or gunshot is the "impulse". The resulting hall reverb is the "impulse response".

Special "convolution" software can process a sound using an impulse response audio file. Basically, this gives you a reverb that uses samples of reverb - one of the coolest technologies to happen in a long time.

It's very possible to convolve impulse responses taken from guitar amps and cabs - it's basically just a very specific form of reverb that you use 100% wet.

It would also be possible to take the impulse response of an acoustic guitar - and apply this to a synth guitar patch.

The software and impulse responses are available for free, but the best ones are commercial. (Or make them yourself, where the quality is up to you).

 

[King Crimson]

what's the difference between these and say a Line 6 model of a cab?

The Line 6 cab is specifically made for the Line 6 amp. It has a flat response so as to reflect as close as possible the modeling you are using. Similar to studio recording monitors.

I had a Line 6 cab when I owned a Vetta. Sounded great with the Vetta and horrible with my Marshall JCM2000.

 

[lolzgreg]

Impulses are the frequency response curve of (in this case) a guitar amplifier's poweramp/cabinet section, mic'd up with a specific microphone and preamp. This impulse makes up a significant amount of your guitar sound. Good impulses will make your tone shine, while bad ones will send it to the abyss.

It sounds like a click because it's only a fraction of a second long.

 

[Neeklaus]

I found this on Gear Slutz:
Generally - 'impulses' refers to specially prepared samples of reverb, or other signal processes. The word is a shortened slang term, which should more correctly be called impulse response audio files, or something equally nerdy.

If you clap your hands or fire a gun in a hall, the dry hand clap or gunshot is the "impulse". The resulting hall reverb is the "impulse response".

Special "convolution" software can process a sound using an impulse response audio file. Basically, this gives you a reverb that uses samples of reverb - one of the coolest technologies to happen in a long time.

It's very possible to convolve impulse responses taken from guitar amps and cabs - it's basically just a very specific form of reverb that you use 100% wet.

It would also be possible to take the impulse response of an acoustic guitar - and apply this to a synth guitar patch.

The software and impulse responses are available for free, but the best ones are commercial. (Or make them yourself, where the quality is up to you).

super helpful, thanks!!!

also, i looked up impulse response on ye olde wikipedia and found this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulse_response
might be worth a read for anyone else interested.