Real Marshall? Part Deux For Gary

[Superlizard]

This is primarily for Gary, who showed the waveforms in an attempt to raise questions about the "accuracy" of the test.

Here are the unadulterated clips; the only thing I did was convert the waveforms into 320kbps .mp3s:

Clip 1 (JTM45 + Crunch Box) Stranglehold:

http://storage1.soundclick.com/jarry_DL/41/03/vipdownload/lizardpie+jtm45strangle.mp3

The amplitude data:

The waveform:

============================================================================

Clip 2 (Guitar Rig 3 "Plex" + Crunch Box) Stranglehold:

http://streamer2.soundclick.com/jarry_DL/32/06/vipdownload/lizardpie+gr3strangle.mp3

The amplitude data:

The waveform:
(notice how wimpy it is; either gotta crank the modeling "amp", or use hi output pickups to get a good signal)

So, with that all out of the way, one can (once again) surmise that:

The Guitar Rig 3 clip still sounds like ass.   :icon_jokercolor:

 

[Mor Paul]

Different mediums, man  :-\

 

[blue313]

I'm no expert here, but the problem seems to be less with Guitar Rig and more with how you interfaced with it.  If you fed your amp a signal like that I'm thinking it would have sounded quite different.

Do you have access to a standalone modeler and a PA or monitors?  You could mic them with the same recording gear then.

 

[tfarny]

It's so obvious that you just need to normalize the second signal, which is much more compressed anyhow. BTW, what the hell is 'guitar rig 3' - must be the lamest modeller you can buy.
You are making me want to post a 'real tweed champ vs. line6 tweed-like thing' recording just to show you how to actually record something, even though I'm a modelling skeptic as well (though a much more open minded person).

 

[dbw]

Yeah I think you are using crap software, if you're either clipping or have a tiny signal with no way to get it in-between.  That's why your modeler clip sounded shitty

 

[Superlizard]

Guitar Rig 3 is modeling *software*, not a stand alone physical box.

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/guitar/guitar-rig-4-pro/

(And LOL at tfarny - I know how to record just fine... any doubts check out my test clips in my sig line.  And I don't recall you posting any clips... ever.)

The digital audio interface (E-MU 1820m) I use for all my recording needs:

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?product=9871

Specs:

The E-MU 1820M features:
Mastering grade 24-bit/192kHz converters - the same A/D converters used in Digidesign's flagship ProTools HD 192 I/O Interface delivering an amazing 120dB signal-to-noise ratio
Hardware-accelerated effects - over 600 standalone and E-MU Power FX VST plug-in effects with no CPU overhead
PatchMix™ DSP zero-latency hardware mixing and monitoring - with super-flexible patchbay - no external mixer needed
Comprehensive analog and digital I/O plus MIDI and sync - 18 inputs and 20 outputs, two sets of MIDI I/O, Word Clock, SMPTE and MTC Sync, plus FireWire port
Two TFPro™ studio-grade preamps with Mic/Line inputs via Neutrik connectors, 48V phantom power and 40dB of gain - plug microphones, guitars and keyboards straight into your system
Compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications - ultra-low latency 24-bit/192kHz ASIO 2.0 and Stereo WDM drivers


I/O Configuration:
Two TFPro Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamps (w/48V phantom power)
Six 1/4" Balanced Inputs
Eight 1/4" Balanced Outputs
Turntable input (w/ground lug and hardware RIAA preamp)
24-bit/192kHz ADAT In/Out (switchable to S/PDIF)
24-bit/96kHz coaxial S/PDIF In/Out (switchable to AES/EBU)
24-bit/96kHz optical S/PDIF Out (switchable to AES/EBU)
Two sets of MIDI In/Out
Four stereo 1/8" Speaker Outputs (configurable from stereo to 7.1)
Stereo Headphone Output
Firewire® Interface

Sync Configuration:
Word Clock In/Out
SMPTE In/Out
MTC Out

Here's the thing (which some apparently missed in my explanation) - if I cranked the volume of the GR3 "Plex" amp, then my signal level
would be sufficient (but barely).  (and for the record, my first test included the modeler amp *plus* a modeler stomp box - the levels were fine)

However, I chose not to do so, because turning up a non-master volume introduces more gain into tone.  Like I stated, I wanted an even playing field.

A recording studio friend of mine has offered me a direct box for this very purpose (he's been sorta following these tests and finds some of the concepts/statements
said by some here to be amusing).  This direct box will take my guitar and turn it into a mic-level signal.  Whether or not that makes a difference is to be seen.
However, even *if* it does boost my signal, I am fully convinced the (crappy) modeler tone will not change one iota.

Either way, I like doing this stuff.  I don't mind doing the extra legwork.  Practice, whether guitar or recording, even repetitive, is always good.

It's so obvious that you just need to normalize the second signal, which is much more compressed anyhow. BTW, what the hell is 'guitar rig 3' - must be the lamest modeller you can buy.

If you had paid any actual attention to the clip test (instead of focusing on trying to be an ass), you'd have read that I said I *did* normalize all clips to -1 dB.

Furthermore, that waveform is *not* compressed; it's just not loud enough (poor levels).

 

[Superlizard]

I noticed Gary didn't even bother to respond to this... which isn't any surprise to me. 

Locking this as well since Gary was being facetious with his "concerns".  :icon_scratch: