Guitar Gear Forum

I have an amp (with output jack 6,3mm or 1/4'' for audio interface so I don't need a preamp), I have pedals, I have a guitar and I have cables, but I need a cheap audio interface for guitar with low latency and probably a demo of the quality ! any ideas??

Im right there with you Brother.

I have tried Tascam and TC Electronics, neither gave me satisfying results.

I do not know if low budget and demo quality exist.

I see all these you tube vids of these guys claiming to use a $200 Saffire or BIAS and claim no post processing.

Well why do I not get sounds like that?

I tought something like this http://www.ebay.it/itm/Boza-USB-Guitar- ... 932wt_1316 for about 20€ but has anyone tried this or similar products??? Are they crap o good?

maybe more what you are after?


http://www.thomann.de/gb/line6_pod_studio_gx.htm

Maddnotez wrote:Im right there with you Brother.

I have tried Tascam and TC Electronics, neither gave me satisfying results.

I do not know if low budget and demo quality exist.

I see all these you tube vids of these guys claiming to use a $200 Saffire or BIAS and claim no post processing.

Well why do I not get sounds like that?

Probably because they know more about recording than you. Are you double tracking and hard panning? If not then that's your problem right there.

Loins of Fire wrote:

Maddnotez wrote:Im right there with you Brother.

I have tried Tascam and TC Electronics, neither gave me satisfying results.

I do not know if low budget and demo quality exist.

I see all these you tube vids of these guys claiming to use a $200 Saffire or BIAS and claim no post processing.

Well why do I not get sounds like that?

Probably because they know more about recording than you. Are you double tracking and hard panning? If not then that's your problem right there.

Indeed you are right. I have a good ear but do not know shit about recording/mixing.

I have tried up to 4 guitar tracks. Two Left and Two right. Usually 100% and 75-80%.

I thought it was just having bad pre's (do these even affect the signal if I am using amp sims?) and a not so great sounding EZdrummer.

Just seems like it is never loud enough or in you face (I know that is mastering and another world of knowledge that I am not ready for).

I just think I really need to learn about using the proper decibles and making sure I have a great signal in front.

I actually was messing around last weekend and tried running the TSE 808 first in the chain as I have seen in a few videos and I think that made a big improvement.

It is hard finding a really good mixer/producer that is willing to share tips. I have guys laugh at me and one comment I specifically remember that was great "What do you expect us to cut off our dicks and put them on a silver platter for you?"

One of the things people new to recording often get wrong is the input level on digital interfaces. It may sound completely backwards to you, but if you want a big, fat sound, you need to keep the db level below -20db. Much more and you start to drive the pre too hard and introduce digital noise. You get volume back up to 0db from the combination of all the instruments, and then whatever processing you use on your mixing and mastering. I keep everything below -20 on the way in, overall mix targets -9db and mastering takes it the rest of the way up.

All that probably seems really stupid at first, but the biggest improvement I ever saw in my recordings once I went digital was moving away from "hot" recordings. As pleasant as that is with analog equipment lending some color and drive, digital recording is a completely different world.

nightflameauto wrote:One of the things people new to recording often get wrong is the input level on digital interfaces. It may sound completely backwards to you, but if you want a big, fat sound, you need to keep the db level below -20db. Much more and you start to drive the pre too hard and introduce digital noise. You get volume back up to 0db from the combination of all the instruments, and then whatever processing you use on your mixing and mastering. I keep everything below -20 on the way in, overall mix targets -9db and mastering takes it the rest of the way up.

All that probably seems really stupid at first, but the biggest improvement I ever saw in my recordings once I went digital was moving away from "hot" recordings. As pleasant as that is with analog equipment lending some color and drive, digital recording is a completely different world.

Doesn't sound stupid at all and I have read that many times. (some people have said -10)

But my issues with that are pretty embarassing lol.

1) I have no idea how to tell what my decible level is at.

2) Whenever I do turn the input down on the interface, even if it is just a little (lets say 50% on the knobbie) I can BARELY hear the guitar at all. It just seems weird to have 4 guitar tracks that you can barely hear in the mix.

Does your DAW not have a meter in it to show db? And if you're starting with sampled drums, just keep turning the drums down until they match up with your guitar levels. Your entire mix at recording time is going to seem ridiculously quiet compared to commercially recorded tracks. Just the nature of the beast.

Also, check to make sure you're using an instrument level input and not line level if you're going direct.

nightflameauto wrote:Does your DAW not have a meter in it to show db? And if you're starting with sampled drums, just keep turning the drums down until they match up with your guitar levels. Your entire mix at recording time is going to seem ridiculously quiet compared to commercially recorded tracks. Just the nature of the beast.

Also, check to make sure you're using an instrument level input and not line level if you're going direct.

It does, I use reaper. There is a level meter that moves back and forth as you play. I have just never noticed anything that showed the decibles. I guess I just need to pay closer attention.

Good call on turning the drums down.

Also, I am pretty sure im using instrument input and not line because on my interface there is a "pad" button that the manual said to make sure was engaged when recording guitars.

I will check tonight on the decible meter.

Thanks