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Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | So - I've never been able to come up with a magic formula for this to get the optimum sound. Here's the sound chain set up: a guitar with an OP-30 preamp, a Roland AC 60 amp (with chorus, reverb), and a Zoom A2 acoustic multieffects box (which has some nice acoustic simulators - including a Martin D-45 and a killer Adamas sound!).
The question is - what's the most efficient way to approach this? Zero out the amp's effects and tone and zero the guitar pre-amp, then let the effects box take over? I've never been really happy with that; I usually end up tweaking the amp and guitar - but I'm not happy with that, either. Guess I'm hard to please.
Any suggestions? |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Rick,
I use the same Zoom multi unit as you and that's exactly what I did. I spent several hours walking through all the factory settings, found those that I really liked, adjusted the parameters of each to the precise tone I was looking for, then saved them to the preset bank. I now use 10 of my own presets all based on adjustments from various factory settings. I also dialed the compression back significantly on those presets because I run a JangleBox in front of the Zoom, and after about six months of this set up, I finally figured how to dial in the noise limiter and everything quieted down nicely. When I switch to electric, I bypass the Zoom and run a series of pedals, four of which are looped through the Tak DI+ and two more that are outside the loop. I run the amps with flat EQ and no effects, and never adjust the amp settings which I use as a stage monitor. I send an XLR signal to the house board from the Zoom. I also rarely mess with the guitar settings other than rolling on a little more volume on certain models, and switching between pups on the electrics. With use of the pedals, I run all the acoustic guitars with flat or bypassed EQ. The set-up appears to be a bit more complicated than it probably needs to be, but I find it easy to use, and I've been more satisfied with the variation of tones than I had been with anything previous. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Hey Rick,
I've had the same issues. Logic tells you to zero out the amps effects if you are using an effects box, but i always seem to throw a little bit more reverb in. One thing I've noticed is that things sound different recorded than when you are standing in front of an amp and playing. So set up a digital recorder way out in front of you and play a variety of setups. Playback and see what sounds better to your ear....that'll probably be what your audience would like to hear as well. |
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Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Thanks, Prof and Bob. I guess my main problem is, I'm lazy. :D I like to be able to just set up and play, and not have to mess with anything (and Prof, if you know how to use the A2's drum machine, I'd be obliged. :) Maybe in a PM).
Bob, I'll try hooking into my Tascam DP 02 and see what I get. Thanks to both of you; I've got some ideas for a starting point. Everyone else who has input, I'd be grateful for that as well. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Rick, I don't use the drum machine. My presets are stored in the A bank, and they come up automatically when the unit powers up. As a result, the Zoom is ready to go after plug-in and there are no other adjustments required. I keep the volume set at a medium-high with the expression pedal fully depressed, which then can be used as a secondary mute switch. My presets are as follows (as I refer to them), which the forst two used 75% of the time.
A0 Medium reverb, Martin auditorium base
A1 Medium chorus, Martin auditorium base
A2 Light chorus, Martin dreadnought base
A3 Clean, no effects, Ovation/Adamas base
A4 Clean, Gibson super jumbo base
A5 Wah (with expression pedal, of course)
A6 Medium-slow trem
A7 Delay (short)
A8 Delay (medium) |
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Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by rick endres:
Bob, I'll try hooking into my Tascam DP 02 and see what I get. Actually if you have a handheld recorder like a Zoom H2, H4, or Q3 that you can set 20 or so feet away, point the mics at your amp, and see how it sounds to an audience. That would tell more than plugging into a recorder. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | You could also lay down a few tracks on a looper, put the guitar down, then go sit in the audience and listen to yourself. |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Prof - thanks for the info on the patches. I use the wah to play Jimi Hendrix's "The Wind Cried Mary."
Bob - all I've got is an old Tascam Portastudio 4 track tape deck which I still use to dub old cassettes onto disc through the DP 02. Maybe I'll try plugging a couple of mics into it.
Prof - I'm embarrassed to ask this, but...what's a looper? :eek: |
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Posts: 6
Location: Connecticut | I run my guitar through a pedalboard. Guitar plugs into a Keeley compressor - then into an Ibanez TS808 - then into a TC Electronics Nova System, then into a Boss Flanger - then into a Boss DD-3 delay then out to the amp.
This works very well for my live act. I've recorded background arrangements for the sets and I can get some great flavors and believe it or not, the TS808 gives me a decent lead/strat type tone for solos. |
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Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | Originally posted by Strat God:
I run my guitar through a pedalboard. Guitar plugs into a Keeley compressor - then into an Ibanez TS808 - then into a TC Electronics Nova System, then into a Boss Flanger - then into a Boss DD-3 delay then out to the amp. Man, you've got everything except a tube screamer in there. With all that in between it probably sounds like bagpipes, no? |
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Location: Flahdaw | Stick a X-box somewhere in the middle there and play Mario Bros while on breaks. |
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Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Um...I just want it to sound acoustic... :D |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Oh, if you want an acoustic sound you'll need to play an electric and run it through a filter. Acoustics never sound like acoustics. ;) |
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Location: cincinnati, ohio | :D :D :D :D :D |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | For me I basically put the combo into neutral (low, mid and high tones on 5) with a hint of reverb, and adjust the volume to the venure. Then use effects pedals as needed. |
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SOUND CHAIN QUESTION