progmetalhead
Member
Forum goers,
Before I begin, I'd like to say 'thank you' to anyone who takes the time provide their insight.
I'm interested in putting together a small bedroom setup. I want the setup to have the following properties: (1) allow me to practice at low (apartment-level) volumes, (2) allow me record reasonably good sounding guitar parts, and (3) be small, compact, and easy-to-move.
Allow me to discuss tone for a moment, as it is germane to points (1) and (2). First of all, it doesn't need to perfect. If and when I every finish enough songs to fill an album, I plan on hiring a professional producer/recording studio to help me record my songs. Second, versatility isn't that important to me. I'm pretty one-dimensional in the tone I want. I actually have an Axe-FX 2 right now, which I plan on selling. I'm selling it because rack units are way too big for my tastes (see point 3) and I only utilize, no joke, less than 0.1% of the unit's potential. I just basically leave it on Mesa/Boogie rectifier channel at all times. Essentially every band I listened to since high school many years ago (e.g. Soundgarden and Alice in Chains) to now (e.g. Andromeda, To-mera, Liquid Tension Experiment, and other melodic progressive metal acts) rely heavily on rectifier or other tube-driven tones. I'd like to replicate that as much as possible, but it may be problematic given points 1 and 3. With respect to effects, a nice reverb for lead playing is sufficient.
Just to get an idea of the types of distortion tone I like, here is an example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7BFYYI9vm4
Point (3) is especially critical. I am a minimalist by nature and abhor owning "stuff". (Just to drive the point home, the last time I moved, it wasn't necessary to get boxes, or even a box; I just put my few possessions in the back seat and trunk of my car.) Certainly, a gigantic tube amplifier is out of the question given my OCD.
So, now comes the question of what gear to use. One option would be to get a small solid state amp that I could direct record with through an audio interface into my computer. That being said, based on the small bit of research I've done on the topic, it doesn't look like much progress has been made on the solid-state front in a while. I used to own a Line 6 once upon a time, and the distortion sounded like fizz, which I'd like to avoid if possible.
Another option would be to get a smaller pre-amp than what I have now, such as the Amplifire, and play through (an audio interface to) my computer speakers. Although, again, the pre-amp's capabilities would be largely wasted on me. I wouldn't be averse to more basic distortion and reverb pedals, provided they sufficiently satisfied my aforementioned wants.
Maybe there are other options that are really cool I don't even know about.
Anyways, I think a simple audio interface (compatible with Mac/Logic) is a must, I guess. As for the rest, I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Thanks a mill.
Before I begin, I'd like to say 'thank you' to anyone who takes the time provide their insight.
I'm interested in putting together a small bedroom setup. I want the setup to have the following properties: (1) allow me to practice at low (apartment-level) volumes, (2) allow me record reasonably good sounding guitar parts, and (3) be small, compact, and easy-to-move.
Allow me to discuss tone for a moment, as it is germane to points (1) and (2). First of all, it doesn't need to perfect. If and when I every finish enough songs to fill an album, I plan on hiring a professional producer/recording studio to help me record my songs. Second, versatility isn't that important to me. I'm pretty one-dimensional in the tone I want. I actually have an Axe-FX 2 right now, which I plan on selling. I'm selling it because rack units are way too big for my tastes (see point 3) and I only utilize, no joke, less than 0.1% of the unit's potential. I just basically leave it on Mesa/Boogie rectifier channel at all times. Essentially every band I listened to since high school many years ago (e.g. Soundgarden and Alice in Chains) to now (e.g. Andromeda, To-mera, Liquid Tension Experiment, and other melodic progressive metal acts) rely heavily on rectifier or other tube-driven tones. I'd like to replicate that as much as possible, but it may be problematic given points 1 and 3. With respect to effects, a nice reverb for lead playing is sufficient.
Just to get an idea of the types of distortion tone I like, here is an example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7BFYYI9vm4
Point (3) is especially critical. I am a minimalist by nature and abhor owning "stuff". (Just to drive the point home, the last time I moved, it wasn't necessary to get boxes, or even a box; I just put my few possessions in the back seat and trunk of my car.) Certainly, a gigantic tube amplifier is out of the question given my OCD.
So, now comes the question of what gear to use. One option would be to get a small solid state amp that I could direct record with through an audio interface into my computer. That being said, based on the small bit of research I've done on the topic, it doesn't look like much progress has been made on the solid-state front in a while. I used to own a Line 6 once upon a time, and the distortion sounded like fizz, which I'd like to avoid if possible.
Another option would be to get a smaller pre-amp than what I have now, such as the Amplifire, and play through (an audio interface to) my computer speakers. Although, again, the pre-amp's capabilities would be largely wasted on me. I wouldn't be averse to more basic distortion and reverb pedals, provided they sufficiently satisfied my aforementioned wants.
Maybe there are other options that are really cool I don't even know about.
Anyways, I think a simple audio interface (compatible with Mac/Logic) is a must, I guess. As for the rest, I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Thanks a mill.
