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Preamp vs AMP for speaker-less recording and practice

#21
I have the Ampeg SCR-DI, very nice. Headphone out, aux-in and can runs on 9v battery. Perfect recording, practice and ampless giging preamp, can gets very growly with just a bit of the Scrambler.

If it's just for recording (I also use it live as my main rig), Avid Eleven Rack is a (big) notch above. It's also your USB interface or can interface digitally to your current one using spdif. Comes with a nice SVT model and a second variation, also with pedal models, parametric EQ, studio reverb and compressor, and 8x10" cab sim. Don't be afraid because it's a modeler, I setup all my presets using the front panel, it's as easy as the controls on a real amp and real pedals. For some gigs, my guitar player is using it and I'm using the SCR-DI.
 
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#22
NikkiVibes said:
I've been listening to the Aguilar ToneHammer DI, and I really like the clean sound. Lots of options such as adding dirt there too. The mids control seems really cool. I could run this into some kinda cabsim.
The omnicab does look like a very nice deluxe option for that.
Click to expand...

I have had great results chaining the Tone Hammer + VT Bass (which does cam sim).
 
#23
Zbysek said:
There's also Broughton Resonant Filter Equalizer...

https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/resonant-filter-equalizer
Click to expand...

I've also been eyeing that as an Omnicabsim alternative for my second board. The lack of extras like XLR, headphones, aux slightly bothered me so I went with OCSD in the end.

On a different note, we've just been discussing the idea of adding a programmable LPF to Source Audio EQ2 in that other thread with the friendly SA folks. It's on the update wishlist. If that happens, I'll throw everything out the window and get one for each board. That thing is how I imagined EQ pedals would be in the future back when I was a kid.
 
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#25
Been very happy using this silent practice rig, w/ SCR-DI.
IMG_2701.jpg
 
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#27
Just to comment :

I use the MOOER RADAR to play alone, rehearsal, recording album , playing live ampless.

I use my own IR , which is GK NEO 410 miced with two SM57 ( speaker + tweeter )

I use my GK MB500 head as preamp; using the line out to a JHS black box to reduce gain then to RADAR MOOER

I find it PERFECT
I also use a lot of pedals ( BDI-21 , compressors , YYZ , clean signal blended with some BOSS LS-2 ) and High and low pass filters , but I once used the MB500 + RADAR alone

I have some recording with almost no EQing in post production on bass, if you want to have an idea
 
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#28
I, too, find the Positive Grid Bias bass sims and effects a bit of a one-trick pony. Great with headphones, but I wouldn't necessarily record with them. I've tried a number of virtual sims - I still use Line 6 PodFarm for guitar tracks, and occasionally a bass track, but have recently been trying the Kuassa Cerberus Amp Plug-In which has some good sounds. I've also done my Mesa Boogie head DI'd into my interface for a pretty good sound as well. In the end, I like mixing my cab with an RE-20.
 
#29
Wretched Banana said:
And then there's the new Simplifier also based on SVT which has... everything. I haven't tried it myself. BASS STATION - DSM & HUMBOLDT SIMPLIFIER
Click to expand...

I know DSM personally, and he's a standup guy. I would definitely consider an omnicabsim or bass station if I was in your situation (as things would have it, I'm happy with the sound I get out of my interface and BIASFX2, so... I'm not :-)
 
#31
What's wrong with practicing through the interface's preamp? You don't need a super great tone to practice. In fact, I would even argue that a more uncolored, sterile sounding tone would be better to practice and track with. You can then use any assortment of plugins or even reamp to hardware afterwards to get any flavor you prefer. Personally, I'm running the Neural DSP Darkglass suite for heavier, more modern tones and their Cory Wong Archetype for more vintage vibes. For (less than) the price of any decent preamp, you get way more software than you know what to do with, and the sounds are top notch.

If you are dead set on hardware though, my somewhat budget solution would be an Aguilar TH500 with any flavor of modern preamp (Darkglass, Tech21, Orange, etc.) to put in front or to run into the amps return. The all-in-one/cost is not a concern option would be something like the Bergantino B|Amp, or the Darkglass Microtubes 900. Either of those are somewhat modern classics and will last you a long time.
 
#32
Ignore the fact that one is an amp. Compare other features and price. I've been happy using a GenzBenz Shuttle 9.2 and 12.2 for years. Digital amps don't NEED a speaker connected. This is one thing I talked to the GenzBenz people before buying their amps. I spend more time using them as a preamp on my DAW than using it as an amp. I also have a nice SansAmp pedal but prefer the options of the GenzBenz.
 
#33
you might want to check out the Darkglass Microtubes B7k ultra v2. it has headphone and aux in for practice, as well as cab sims if you're looking to add to your cab library. it has incredible sound and separation of notes especially those below the 5th fret. It also has a direct out for recording or going direct. If you're into it, there is arguably the best drive section in the business at your fingertips...I absolutely LOVE mine!
 
#34
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#35
TheLowDown33 said:
What's wrong with practicing through the interface's preamp? You don't need a super great tone to practice. In fact, I would even argue that a more uncolored, sterile sounding tone would be better to practice and track with. You can then use any assortment of plugins or even reamp to hardware afterwards to get any flavor you prefer. Personally, I'm running the Neural DSP Darkglass suite for heavier, more modern tones and their Cory Wong Archetype for more vintage vibes. For (less than) the price of any decent preamp, you get way more software than you know what to do with, and the sounds are top notch.

If you are dead set on hardware though, my somewhat budget solution would be an Aguilar TH500 with any flavor of modern preamp (Darkglass, Tech21, Orange, etc.) to put in front or to run into the amps return. The all-in-one/cost is not a concern option would be something like the Bergantino B|Amp, or the Darkglass Microtubes 900. Either of those are somewhat modern classics and will last you a long time.
Click to expand...

It does work well enough for practice. Ive been using it for a while now. Since im spending so much time practicing at home I thought it would be nice to get a better more "real" sounding tone. Something about playing thru a hardware device. I had great results with this earlier this year getting a tube amp and using that for guitar, made a huge difference.
 
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#36
So far theres at least 4-5 interesting ones being thrown around. Its hard to pick!

Amp could be good as well with no speaker and out to a mooer radar and into my interface. However...
Some of the amps look like "kitchen appliances" :confused:
It would be better if it looks cool :laugh:
 
#39
NikkiVibes said:
So far theres at least 4-5 interesting ones being thrown around. Its hard to pick!

Amp could be good as well with no speaker and out to a mooer radar and into my interface. However...
Some of the amps look like "kitchen appliances" :confused:
It would be better if it looks cool :laugh:
Click to expand...
Seriously, give this a shot: [This invalid link has been removed]

Turn on the standalone version, and turn off the direct monitoring on your interface.
 
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#40
I've tried to like Bias FX too for a while, and there is just something not right with it.

I seem to fall back to Scuffham Sgear on both basses and guitar, it sounds and feels like an amp.
For several years I used to use Guitar Rig as it's not bad, I just prefer Sgear.
Try the demo, you might be surprised.

For your situation it sounds like in the box is the way to go. So don't give up on the virtual solution yet.
Good luck,
Dirk
 
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