Totally new to interfaces and digital gear, what are my rig options from here?

[Estilo]

So I've just made my first ever foray into the digital realm with a purchase of a Zoom UAC-2. The last 6 months of total working from home has given me plenty of time to evaluate my life choices and has got me back into guitar playing after several years off. And rather than noodling around, I thought if I made the effort to record, I'd pick up the discipline of actually practicing to improve myself, otherwise it'd be rounds and rounds of GAS and the incidental sale-upon-regretting.

Anyways, this got me thinking if I should evaluate my current set-up. I currently have 2 lunchbox heads (Orange Micro Terror, Randall RD5) and a Blackstar HTV212 with Seventy-Eightys (I know, but decent enough for bedroom use). And then I have the Zoom UAC. From what I know I have two options:
1) get a mic to record from the cab, with the benefit of having it cheaper and can I say simpler?
2) get a load box to plug the amps into the UAC direct, and on my DAW (UAC comes with Cubase LE) find IRs online, essentially running a digital rig. Option 2 is obviously pricier but I'd get the benefit of cranking the heads while taming the actual volume that is put out. Also perhaps the more viable solution long-term as I was seriously contemplating the 6505+/5153 50W, and I might be moving into an apartment in the future.

My budget is around US$1,000 for additional stuff, the lower the better of course, and I'd still have to get studio monitors (planning Yamaha HS8s). But I'd like to be logical if the pricier choice now is the better solution long-term.

SSO input is, as always, much appreciated!

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Definitely option "2". It's the more flexible option and you'll probably get better results quicker if you're not experienced with mic'ing an amp.

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Get a Suhr reactive loadbox and an IR loader, and you're all set.

 

[Estilo]

Get a Suhr reactive loadbox and an IR loader, and you're all set.

Why the Suhr over the Two Notes Torpedo?

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Why the Suhr over the Two Notes Torpedo?

 

[Deadpool_25]

Having a nice little stable of awesome amps, I've been considering either mic'ing or a load box. If I do either one I'll get a load box and that load box will be the Suhr RL.

Not sure if I'd want the IR version as it's pretty easy to run an IR loader in the DAW and do so a lot cheaper than the $200 difference between the RL and the RLIR.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Having a nice little stable of awesome amps, I've been considering either mic'ing or a load box. If I do either one I'll get a load box and that load box will be the Suhr RL.

Not sure if I'd want the IR version as it's pretty easy to run an IR loader in the DAW and do so a lot cheaper than the $200 difference between the RL and the RLIR.

Get the RL/IR. I teetered between the two also, but I love my RL/IR. It's just so convenient and easy having one well made, fully integrated solution. It's definitely made me play my real amps more, especially when I don't feel like messing with the computer and just want to run through my FRFRs.

If you're just looking for a recording solution it's superfluous, but hey, isn't that part of the fun?

 

[nickgray]

Get the RL/IR

The biggest con is that you won't be able to switch between IRs easily unless the unit has MIDI support. Plus they're typically limited to only one IR, so if you want to run two different IRs in stereo - you're out of luck. I think a multi fx/modeler like HX Stomp is the most convenient option, but it's also pricey, especially if you want it for IR only.

Not sure if I'd want the IR version as it's pretty easy to run an IR loader in the DAW

You'd be dealing with latency, input and output combined. It really depends on your gear as to how low you can get. Plus you're stuck with super low buffer size when you're using the VST IR loader. For reference, I think Axe Fx and Helix have RTL of 2ms or less, and that Suhr box has 1.2ms, which is super-super low.

 

[InCasinoOut]

I don't even have a cab at home anymore, just left it at my buddy's house. I run my Mark V 35 into a Suhr RL, and play that through Yamaha HS5s. Best setup I ever had, since I love being able to record or play along to songs with a fully mixed tone through the same speakers, or my M50X headphones if it's late. I really like OwnHammer's IRs, although I did pick this free ML Sound Lab IR that sounds just as good as the Ownhammer Recto 412 IR I bought.... I also recommend getting the HS8s on eBay as a package deal. I was able to buy my HS5s, with stands, XLR cables, and isolation foam pads for the price of the monitors alone that way. Here's the link to the free IR:

 

[Deadpool_25]

I don't even have a cab at home anymore, just left it at my buddy's house. I run my Mark V 35 into a Suhr RL, and play that through Yamaha HS5s. Best setup I ever had, since I love being able to record or play along to songs with a fully mixed tone through the same speakers, or my M50X headphones if it's late. I really like OwnHammer's IRs, although I did pick this free ML Sound Lab IR that sounds just as good as the Ownhammer Recto 412 IR I bought.... I also recommend getting the HS8s on eBay as a package deal. I was able to buy my HS5s, with stands, XLR cables, and isolation foam pads for the price of the monitors alone that way. Here's the link to the free IR:

So you’re using the Suhr RLIR? Or are you running the IR in a DAW? And I’ve had HS7s for years. Wish I’d used a package deal lol. But still worth every penny.

 

[InCasinoOut]

So you’re using the Suhr RLIR? Or are you running the IR in a DAW? And I’ve had HS7s for years. Wish I’d used a package deal lol. But still worth every penny.

It's the regular RL, running IRs using NadIr in Reaper. I got it before the RLIR came out, but no regrets since for my purposes the onboard IR loading isn't necessary.

 

[Flappydoodle]

Option 3, go entirely digital (assuming you only want to record, not play live)

If you want ease of recording, you can not beat plugins. The sound quality is also amazing, and 100s of blind tests at this point have proven that nobody can tell the difference any more.

Plugins are super easy. Plug guitar into interface. Records the DI into your DAW. And you can apply whatever plugins you want to that DI, change on the fly, use automation etc. And of course you can live monitor and jam to your hearts content. Good set of headphones or some studio monitors is all you need.

The whole amp -> load box -> interface thing sounds like a huge hassle to me. Lots of things in the chain which will affect the sound. It's not easy to re-amp and tweak the tone. It's only worth it IMO if you have outstanding amps which you absolutely can not replicate in plugins. If you just need a mesa, 5150, Marshall type tone, plugins cover it all.

Looking at your amp collection, they are all kinda "meh". One good plugin (NeuralDSP Nolly for example) would sound way better.

You already have an interface. With a $1,000 budget, you can buy the Nolly plugin for $100, and you're done. Pick up some better monitors, if you want. You could even sell the amps and come out ahead.

 

[Estilo]

Having a nice little stable of awesome amps, I've been considering either mic'ing or a load box. If I do either one I'll get a load box and that load box will be the Suhr RL.

Not sure if I'd want the IR version as it's pretty easy to run an IR loader in the DAW and do so a lot cheaper than the $200 difference between the RL and the RLIR.

What are you using? What made you skip considering the Two Notes Torpedo entirely for the Suhr? I've asked above but wow consensus is solely for Suhr's products.

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Having a nice little stable of awesome amps, I've been considering either mic'ing or a load box. If I do either one I'll get a load box and that load box will be the Suhr RL.

Not sure if I'd want the IR version as it's pretty easy to run an IR loader in the DAW and do so a lot cheaper than the $200 difference between the RL and the RLIR.

Well you could just get the standard Suhr reactive loadbox and a Two-Notes CAB M, or use an Audient Sono as your DAW.

 

[Carl Kolchak]

The whole amp -> load box -> interface thing sounds like a huge hassle to me.

Plug your amp into the back of the Suhr, and then run a DI into your DAW. That's all there is to that.

 

[Flappydoodle]

Plug your amp into the back of the Suhr, and then run a DI into your DAW. That's all there is to that.

Sure, you can get a DI. But to re-amp, you then need to play everything back through the amp.

Not to mention, the Orange Micro Terror is a £140 amp and people are talking about running it through a £600 load box. I’m not convinced at all.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

I mean if you want to use a loadbox and do reamping, the torpedo reload is an all in one option. I have one and it works flawlessly with every amp I used it with so far. As far as IR loaders go, Wall of Sound is free and you can utilize their excellent proprietary IRs, or third party ones. I sold my 2x12 a while back because I don't get to crank my amps much anymore, going straight into the Reload lets me record silently while still giving the gnarly tones I can only get from a cranked amp.

If all you want to do is record songs/riffs then you really only need a basic interface like a focusrite scarlett (2nd gen or newer as they have improved instrument pads and clip wayyyyyy less than the gen 1) or presonus with maybe a DI box (radial boxes are like 60$ used).

 

[Elric]

Definitely option "2". It's the more flexible option and you'll probably get better results quicker if you're not experienced with mic'ing an amp.

This. The Suhr sounds like it’s pretty cool. I use a Fryette PS2. It’s Awesome. There are a lot of good products like this nowadays. I like that the PS2 is a tube power amp too.

 

[Estilo]

Option 3, go entirely digital (assuming you only want to record, not play live)

If you want ease of recording, you can not beat plugins. The sound quality is also amazing, and 100s of blind tests at this point have proven that nobody can tell the difference any more.

Plugins are super easy. Plug guitar into interface. Records the DI into your DAW. And you can apply whatever plugins you want to that DI, change on the fly, use automation etc. And of course you can live monitor and jam to your hearts content. Good set of headphones or some studio monitors is all you need.

The whole amp -> load box -> interface thing sounds like a huge hassle to me. Lots of things in the chain which will affect the sound. It's not easy to re-amp and tweak the tone. It's only worth it IMO if you have outstanding amps which you absolutely can not replicate in plugins. If you just need a mesa, 5150, Marshall type tone, plugins cover it all.

Looking at your amp collection, they are all kinda "meh". One good plugin (NeuralDSP Nolly for example) would sound way better.

You already have an interface. With a $1,000 budget, you can buy the Nolly plugin for $100, and you're done. Pick up some better monitors, if you want. You could even sell the amps and come out ahead.

Yeah point taken, thanks, and 7 years ago I was contemplating this route. But ultimately my interest had begun waning then and I just wanted something simple. Not to mention the Micro Terror combo plus the 212 cab did and still does not scale up in costs to an interface and studio monitors. Have you had the urge to take the plug and play route without having to run through a computer to hear your playing?

 

[Matt08642]

Damn this thread has me looking at the Suhr Reactive Load IR, or the RL + Sono

Well you could just get the standard Suhr reactive loadbox and a Two-Notes CAB M, or use an Audient Sono as your DAW.

I saw you reply to me about the Sono in another thread as well - I'm super new to this kind of stuff, you can load your own IRs in the Sono right?