Question on recording amp direct

it really depends on the amp and speakers etc... what do you have, what are you recording? What style/type of music...

Generally, I don't like to record guitars direct. The tone usually sucks. Bass is okay if it is a good amp with a nice preamp. Remember, the tone come from a combination of the preamp, power amp, and speakers, ... not to mention the type of guitar. The caveate to this is: If you can get a good tone, go with it.... THere is NO right answer the the recording question...

A great alternative to using an amp direct is to use an amp simulator/modeler (i.e. - POD, ampfarm, amplitude, etc...). I've tracked a lot of tracks on my record with a POD, and it sounds awsome when mixed with my rig's tone.

 

Best thing to do is try all methods. preamp send will be OK, but will likely be buzzy and need a lot of EQ.

Also try a line out, hopefully with variable gain if your amp has a line out.

Sooner or later you'll probably want a cab sim/DI box or an iso box for quiet DI recording.

Modeling boxes and rack preamps are pretty subjective. I don't like the Pod, but I do like the ADA-MP-1.

Be sure to keep a proper load on your tube amp when experimenting with DI recording.

 

just to keep your speakers connected while you do your DI recording. Or if you disconnect your speakers, put a hot plate or equivalent load on the tube amp. The cab sims I'm familiar with have a "pass through" that goes either back to the speaker, or to a load device.

 

OK, if you're keeping the speaker plugged in, you're OK.

BTW, what kind of amp?

 

>> So it sounds like maybe I should mic it.

From what you're saying, I think you would be happier with the results.

Your environment wouldn't have to be dead quiet if you close-mic the amp.

 

OK, cool. Definitely keep the speakers plugged in on them.

However, if you end up going the cab sim/DI route, the best tones come from the speaker out jack, so in those cases you'll need to put your plug into the cab sim (if, for example it's a red box by H&K, or UltraG by Behringer), or an appropriate load device if you want to hear the DI sound alone without the amp's speaker sound. Make sense? UltraG's are $29, and H&K Red Box's are $89 or so, so you might want to try one of these. Iso cabs are several hundred because they usually contain a real speaker and a mic.