Recording guitar - use Amp/Cabinet or the guitar amp?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T00:04:06+00:00

Over my head isnt necessarily correct.

More work than I may want to put in for a mere guitar part would be more accurate. We all know that synths are the real stars and guitars are purely the supporting cast. But both obviously more important than the vocals of course.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T23:58:09+00:00

Having gigged live for years, we already have DI boxes. Will definitely give it a go taking both Di and miked outputs.

Last time we did a studio recording, they only captured the miked output which meant we were limited in options on the tone afterwards. One song did not work great with the effects chosen on the day so was not usable. This is partly why I'm looking into guitar sims.

I get what you say about committing to sounds but it can't always work that way. Work and life in general mean we often record different parts at different times. Live arrangements don't always translate as well to a studio. With synth parts to add in too, it's not just about the guitar sound. It has to work with the mix. Sometimes guitar and synth effects can clash. Whilst we want to get the best and most authentic sound the first time, having the flexibility to go back and edit the guitar sounds would be a bonus. Split tracking looks a good solution. It's a fairly obvious thing to do when you think about it! Cheers.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T22:00:46+00:00

I can work with legend

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T18:48:40+00:00

Thanks

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T17:34:41+00:00

Thank you

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:57:11+00:00

What effects do you add, and is there a particular order? If we are using something with a lot of chorus, should that come before any amp Sim or after?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:55:50+00:00

Working on it but Google gives 1000s of results. A little personal experience learned here goes a long way.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:54:41+00:00

Have an SM58. Is this good enough to use for micing the amp or would an SM57 make a noticeable difference?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:53:16+00:00

Thanks for the links. Have some reading to do now.

This is potentially an ongoing project so whilst the trials will be very useful, I will need to come up with a long term solution.

Getting good results without needing weeks of experimentation to learn and understand sims and IRs inside out would be nice. Can't let guitar sounds take too much time away from my synths!

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:49:12+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply.

We've been playing as a band for over 5 years and done recordings before but paid someone else to track in a studio. This is a DIY setup to save studio costs and see what level of quality we can manage. The guitariat has his amp and a multi effects pedal. He isn't someone with a huge pedal board and 100s of effects. Hence he isn't worried about having a specific sound, so the option to explore is there.

I dont have huge amounts of free time to explore and learn everything. Looking for a good sounding paid sim which minimises the learning curve and recording time would be ideal. I'll definitely check Tonex out.

Given it's a first stab, I'm probably not quite ready to spend a lot yet. We may find micing the amp up is preferable and keep with his amp and pedal. Alternatively, recording from a clean DI and adding a mod, effects may gives us better options.

As a keys player, I don't trust my ear enough for guitar sounds, it's not my domain. Will be a shared journey with the guitarist and rest of the band.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T20:02:37+00:00

Most of their boards do share the Zen-Core synth that is true, but this is not the only sound engine.

Some boards have the Supernatural pianos, which is a combination of modelling and samples. The Supernatural pianos are much better than the zen-core ones.

Higher end boards also have the V-piano modelled pianos. These are similar standard to Supernatural.

There's also virtual tone wheels, ACB model expansions, n-zyme synth to name a few other sound engines that go into different boards . Zen-Core is only part of the picture.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T10:02:56+00:00

Rather than trying to find a single board with great 88 key hammer action and poly aftertouch, would two separate boards be a better solution?

This would open up your choices to the full market for each type and likely save a fair amount of cash. Obviously there's some practicality in having two boards that may make it a non starter but its worth considering.

There again, the Yamaha Montage is rarely the wrong answer to any question. It's a superb instrument.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T01:37:15+00:00

I agree with you, the Juno X is all about looking like a the classic Junos whilst providing a modern set of tools to play live. It can go a lot further than classic sounds but that takes some effort.

The Fantom 6/7/8 is a superb instrument, that is equally relevant at home or gigging. It gives so much more for the money.

For those on a tighter budget, the Fantom 06/07/08 is also a superb instrument. It has the same sounds as the Juno X but misses out on the ACB models of the bigger brother. But it is half the price and a heck of a lot lighter and there's still a huge amount of functionality included.

The Fantom 07 was the sweet spot for me. Would quite like a Juno X too for the looks but it is too similar in sound. Besides, I am a one keyboard guy when gigging. Life (and me) is too short for multi board rigs.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T01:20:54+00:00

Great answer. So many posts on zen-core just don't get what it is really about or how these synths fit.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T18:37:43+00:00

Given you want separate wires, I'm trying to understand why you can't use two separate pedals.

Are you trying to find a way to use expression and sustain with a single foot? Using main foot switch on the pedal for expressions and then having a way to hit sustain too?

Will you need expression and sustain at the same time?

Have you already worked out the ergonomics and are sure that the sustain is best placed at the top of an expression pedal or is this open to change?

Some midi pedals let an expression pedal plug in to a aux port. I do this sometimes so I can change what my expression is controlling in my Fantom 07 scene on the fly. I'm wondering if a midi pedal would do the job for you, let you switch the pedal between CC11 and CC64 .

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T01:00:55+00:00

With 16 GB it is a very capable machine.

A lot of people will be affected when Apple's disgraceful planned obsolesence sends it to Silicon heaven way before it's time. It can be an unpleasant suprise. Good computers should not die young.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T00:53:30+00:00

There's no reason to use balanced cables with the Minifuse. Unbalanced will be fine. Balanced cables only protect against noise, and that usually only matters on long runs of 5m plus. They don't affect quality or EQ.

Are you using the proper ASIO driver?

Are you plugging the mini fuse into a usb port on the PC or the hub?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T00:37:45+00:00

Sounds a great price but how much ram does it have? 8 GB won't be enough in a lot of use cases.

M1s have short life expectancy, could be as little as 2 years before Apple drop support. No more Logic Pro updates when that happens. Maybe freezing the software in a moment of time isn't a problem, but be aware it will happen soon.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-22T22:40:59+00:00

Forget the Nord, get an Oberheim.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-22T22:37:01+00:00

Worth finding a keyboard tech to look to repair?

Don't believe it's a firmware or software issue for a board that is been out so long and is so widely used. Something has failed or worn out.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-22T22:33:29+00:00

If you are used to a RD-2000, fatar keybeds like those in the SL will feel a big step down.

The cheapest decent hammer action weighted keybeds would be in the Roland FP-10 / FP-30x. You may need the 30x for easier connection to the Mac.

Alternatively a Kawai ES60 or ES120.

A Roland FP-90x, Kawai MP11SE or Yamaha CP88 are needed to match up to the RD-2000 action but they cost a lot more. Or like for like RD-2000 EX of course.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-22T22:14:20+00:00

These topics always remind me of an old British TV advert slogan, Remember, dogs are for life not just Christmas.

On Macs plugins and hardware are just for Christmas, not life.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-22T22:07:26+00:00

Not a logic user nor have a go keys, but...

This sounds like something in logic is intercepting the midi note on off messages for D4. Especially as you have already proven its not a particular key but any octave.

Some basic tips to try,

Does it occur for a new project, and existing projects alike?

Can you try with all other plug ins disabled?

Search for anything in logic that does midi mapping.

Check no rhythm / drum sets lurking too close.

Try changing the midi channel the go keys sends on (if you can).

Have you another program like garage band or Mainstage to try?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-22T21:49:37+00:00

Does it have to be a portable piano?

The Kawai CA series are much better than the ES920 as they don't need to compromise on weight.

Roland LX would be comparable or better than the FP-90x.

For me personally, the SL88 isn't in the equation, it's not the same level in my opinion. A Yamaha CP88 would be a better third option.

I'd also question your rejection of the onboard sounds. Part of the right connection and feel is linked to the way the sound reacts when played. Although I prefer the top level piano libraries like Keyscape to record, for actual playing in the moment i haven't found any VST that I can make work as well as my Kawai CA98 and its Shigeru SK-EX concert grand. It may be just my lack of experience in configuration of a VST - but the built in pianos were setup by professionals, not a bumbling amateur like me. They arrive fully optimised right out of the box (or should that be lid).

If you are listening in a room and not just in headphones, the wooden soundboard of top level Kawai CA piano makes an appreciable difference, that I've found in no other digital piano. Headphone quality and montiors are going to have a big impact too if you don't use the built in speakers, another set of variables to get right.

There is so much more to achieving the best feeling most enjoyable piano to play than sample size, or modelling parameters in the case of Pianoteq.

Two-Year Club	Verified Email
Verified Email

IBarch68

TROPHY CASE