uses for preamps/cab sims

[phector2004]

Hey everyone,

I've been seeing a lot of schematics for preamp sections and cab simulators. How exactly do you use them? Can a preamp be used for direct recording into a mic-in 1/8" jack into a computer, for example? Or does it have to be played through a power amp into a cab???

Also, as for cab simulators, are they just pedals you play through the cleanest settings on your amp to get a different amp sound?

Been looking to surprise my friend with something to help him record, as he's too cheap to get a decent DI-box or mic, and has a mac (irony?) and can't change the hardware to enable him to record. I'm guessing a preamp or a preamp with a transformer on the output would do the trick?

[jkokura]

Basically, you're wanting to DIY the basics behind the Line 6 POD right?

Just so you're aware, I have DI'd right out of my speaker output from my amp into an interface mic preamp for recording. I did it so I'd have the EQ of my amp to use instead of the Cubase software EQ.

I then reamped the clean signal through 4 amps simultaneously to record with mics. It created some crazy cool tracks, but I wouldn't do that again.

However, I'm kinda curious about this too. If I built a preamp or amp simulator, could I go DI right into a live board? Or would I need to go through a cab sim first? Is there a difference between a preamp and a cab sim?

Jacob

[caspercody]

I also am curious of cab sims also? From some of the things I have read, it seems that you should not use a cab sim plugged into a guitar amp? but these are mostly for mixers, headphone amps, and computers?

[Ronsonic]

The idea of emulating an amp preamp to go into a sound card is, uh sound. You'll see some designs for FET emulation of various amps here and on other sites and they can do a pretty good job of that. The idea is to boost the guitar's output, buffer it and add the tone changes of an amp. You can run one of these into an amp and cab, but you can also plug it into almost anything else you like; mixer, recording device or computer.

A speaker sim is a very fancy tone control that emulates the frequency response curve of a speaker cab. Guitar speakers are not flat and not full range; their FR is all over the place with humps in the upper bass, presence area and a roll off on the highs. A guitar signal without a speaker or sim is pretty damn harsh. Combine a pre and a sim and you've got a signal that sounds an awful lot like a guitar through an amp without any other processing.

That said, you can go a long way with just a direct box of some sort going into the computer and getting your amp and cab sims from software. Hell, Target had a cable thingie that went from guitar to USB.  But where's the fun in that.

[rogeryu_ph]

Basically, you're wanting to DIY the basics behind the Line 6 POD right?

Just so you're aware, I have DI'd right out of my speaker output from my amp into an interface mic preamp for recording. I did it so I'd have the EQ of my amp to use instead of the Cubase software EQ.

I then reamped the clean signal through 4 amps simultaneously to record with mics. It created some crazy cool tracks, but I wouldn't do that again.

However, I'm kinda curious about this too. If I built a preamp or amp simulator, could I go DI right into a live board? Or would I need to go through a cab sim first? Is there a difference between a preamp and a cab sim?

Jacob

In theory you should go through a cab sim too before going into a live board. PA speakers system is FULL RANGE and FLAT RESPONSE which will emulate your chosen Preamp(model)Sim Plus Cab (model)Sim. The PA system monitor speaker will sound like your modelled preamp/cab. Now if you have several models you can make various model sounds like Mesa Rectifier with 4x12 cab in one song then easily change your sounds like Marshall Plexi with 2x12 then later Fender Clean in a 1x12 cab etc...which will be projected in your PA sound system. There is this UltraG behringer D.I. with built-in 4x12 cab sim already and you can use this after your preamp sim and go to live board. Now there is also lots of cheap guitar preamp/cab modeller floor-based processor (multiFx stompbox) in the market and can be easily and readily use with in your computer thru USB enjoy recording with backing track and can be use LIVE for gig going direct into mixing board and you don't need to bring along you AMP using just the PA monitor.     

[Top Top]

Just so you're aware, I have DI'd right out of my speaker output from my amp into an interface mic preamp for recording. I did it so I'd have the EQ of my amp to use instead of the Cubase software EQ.

Whoa whoa whoa!

DO NOT DO THIS!

Unless you have a very low power amp (like less than a couple watts), that is a very good way to instantly fry input channels on your mic preamp.

[jkokura]

Just so you're aware, I have DI'd right out of my speaker output from my amp into an interface mic preamp for recording. I did it so I'd have the EQ of my amp to use instead of the Cubase software EQ.

Whoa whoa whoa!

DO NOT DO THIS!

Unless you have a very low power amp (like less than a couple watts), that is a very good way to instantly fry input channels on your mic preamp.

I double checked what my amp's output is after reading this, cause I did it and was wondering what on earth you're talking about. So I looked, and I used a line out from my PREAMP, not an out from my power amp. You're right, don't go out from your power amp into a DI into a Mic input, but you can go from a preamp into a DI into a Mic input. Using a cab sim will essentially simulate the effect of using a mic on a cab rather than the 'dry' or 'lifeless' feel of a preamp into a DI. Like I said, I reamped the signal in my usage, but if you're going live or not planning on reamping then a cab sim might be a good idea.

It could be a really cool project to build a preamp/cabsim/DI box all into one enclosure - kinda like a POD with a built in DI. It would essentially operate as a 'soundless' amp. I can see it easily being used in church contexts, recording at home contexts, or even practicing while the Baby is sleeping.

If I could have features I'd like built in, I'd have an opamp buffer into the input volume, 3 band parametric eq, effects send and return for dir/gaint boxes, output volume, effects send and return for delay/time based boxes, then into a cab sim before going into a Jensen based complex DI with all the Pads and whistles.

That'd be one heck of a cool project. I wonder if it'd all fit into a 1590D?

Jacob

[phector2004]

It could be a really cool project to build a preamp/cabsim/DI box all into one enclosure - kinda like a POD with a built in DI. It would essentially operate as a 'soundless' amp. I can see it easily being used in church contexts, recording at home contexts, or even practicing while the Baby is sleeping.

If I could have features I'd like built in, I'd have an opamp buffer into the input volume, 3 band parametric eq, effects send and return for dir/gaint boxes, output volume, effects send and return for delay/time based boxes, then into a cab sim before going into a Jensen based complex DI with all the Pads and whistles.

That'd be one heck of a cool project. I wonder if it'd all fit into a 1590D?

Jacob

that's what i was originally thinking of 

in a bigger enclosure, obviously, and i think it'd also be nice to use rotaries to switch between 3-4 different preamps/cabs and maybe have a separate active EQ section. how big exactly are 1590Ds?

the question now is, is it worth the effort? PODs do have built in effects and stuff... this would still be one hell of a project though!

[jkokura]

7.4 by 4.7 by 2 inches (width, height, depth) It's the same as a DD but a half inch taller, giving you more room on the interior.

What'd be super cool is to also include a powersupply built in for other boxes.

I don't know about the multiple preamp or cab sim switching, I'd rather have one good preamp, one good cab sim. I'd also prefer a tube preamp.

Jacob

[rogeryu_ph]

It would be nice if you could add headphone out for silent practice.
Also, make it touch screen Lol