RaiZu

Hey guys. I'm wondering if you could tell me how to properly record from an amp's line out.

I'm planning to record trough my bugera 333 XL Infinium into MixIR2.
Do I need to crank the amp up to get a proper sound?
Is it better to use the line out or the fx loop?

Cavalcade

As usual, drive it like you stole it if you want distortion; the master (output) volume is up to you, but keep it low so it doesn't clip (or worse, damage your interface- you're using an interface, right?). And use the line out instead of the loop.

RaiZu

Yeah I have a fastrack pro mk II

What about dummy loads? I've heard people saying you can just line up some resistances so you dont have to cab the amp and crank it as loud as you can.
Are there any wiring diagrams for making something like that?

lockwolf

Unless you're going to buy an attenuator, I'd avoid going direct from your amp into your interface. Just use some amp sims instead, you'll get much better results IMO.

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GaryBillington

Have you considered buying a mic to record it 'properly'? You'll get a much better sound.

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lockwolf

I thought about that too but I'm gonna assume his amp is too loud for him to mic properly.

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kyle62

Sounds like a perfectly good plan to me. Since you're using MixIR2 I assume you're using Redwirez impulses, they're bloody awesome.

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GaryBillington

It's probably got a volume knob

Also, unless I'm missing something (which is possible as I don't have experience of that amp) taking a signal from the line out wouldn't stop the signal going to his cab, so he'd still be playing it out loud which means the volume can't be a problem. Obviously can't speak for all amps, but in my experience taking a feed from the line out doesn't mute the amp - feel free to correct me if it does on that one.

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ChemicalFire

I've done something like this, but I used a dummy speaker (read a small speaker in a box slashed to shit and covered in super glue) on the cab plug then took the signal from that box to my interface.

I have no idea what such box would be called... I only have one because my dad made it years ago.

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RaiZu

Well I don't need an attenuator I just need something to suck up the power so I dont blow my tubes. The line out can't really damage the interface since it's made to be a line out, theres no power in it.

And there are 2 things.

1. I live in an apartment so I can't crank it up to do some proper mic recording.
2. I have a crappy cabinet and I have the redwirez impulses which sound awesome from what I've gotten till now. And I don't have to worry about volume or about the reverb or the noise that can be in my room.

And ampsims just don't compare to the real thing. I play pretty fast so I need the clarity.

kyle62

Yeah, you're on the right track.

Which Redwirez have you got? I love their Bogner Uberkab impulses!

As for line out vs FX send, just try both and see which gets better results. You can keep your master volume as low as you want, as long as there's always a cab connected.

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RaiZu

Mesa Rectifier 4x12 impulses

Well that clears about everything up. So thanks guys

Jim #4

if you have a fasttrack. why dont you skip the amp completely?

GaryBillington

He already covered that:

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Sethis

It's the same sound whether you use the FX Loop or the line out. But there is one huge advantage of using the loop - you can turn off the master volume completely. Which means you can even record with your amp late at night hearing only from your headphones. This is not possible on all amps. But remember - never use any amp without a cab connected even if its silent!!!

Plus you can get a really great sound with the amp and some impulses. Check this out!

Jim #4

yeah but the "real thing" would be an amp a cab and a mic...and not the D I of just the head. cause that also doesnt sound "real" .

GaryBillington

I see what you're trying to say - that's why my original suggestion was to buy a mic & do it properly. The cab is a big part of the sound, so you need to capture that as well.

However you look at it though, the fact is that the DI uses a real amp, not a simulated one.

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Sethis

Definitely. Another thing is that usually amp sims are major cpu hogs. And when you got 3,4 guitars things can get nasty...Or you have to render all the time which is a bit lame. Plus you don't have to worry about latency anymore.

Cavalcade

You can just run pairs of guitars through the same sim if it supports stereo, and merge the channels as necessary at the end; that helps things significantly, but yeah, amp sims use a ton of CPU. Best course of action is to reamp, and render the reamped signal and use that instead.