Line 6 KB37 as outboard gear?

> > > Line 6 KB37 as outboard gear?

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Typo Szar
Member Since: Jul 04, 2002

I posted a while back and kind of neglected to update that i figured out how to use the line 6 kb37's gearbox software to record, a belated thanx to everyone who was patient with my ignorance on the matter.
Anyhow, while tinkering with the thing, before i realized how to use gear box, i hooked it up to a lap top, turned on gear box and effected my instrument, then plugged the output into my mixer and into my m-audio delta 66. What i foudn was, the preamps in my mixer gave the very digital signal somewhat more of a grit that i liked, and also, since i dont own an outboard compressor, the digital compressor in gear box nicely evened out my signal when it got into my PC's DAW. My question is then two fold:

A. Is it actually acting like a real compressor that will take care of any highly dyanmic signal before it his my interface?

B. I know that once audio is turned digital the physics of its saturation (and thus "warmth") is very different than analog, but since i dont have the cash to get a tube preamp/comp could this rig suffice to get a thicker warmer sound, and maybe even some of that grit you can get from driving a preamp? Or am i just wishfully thinking, since the signal has already become digital, and it running analog into my mixer doesnt help that all?

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

May 29, 2007 12:14 pm

A- it will still act as a digital process cuz the KB37 is a digital device...it will be before it gets to your sound card, but it will still be doing it's thing after the signal has entered the digital domain.

B- The KB37 has some great effects in GearBox that can add plenty of grit..as far as saturation, not sure, but there polenty of plugins that will...Magneto, Vintage Warmer, Vintage Channel...

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

May 30, 2007 09:42 pm

crux, yes the saturation you are getting will be there no matter what. I to have a preference for using the UX-2 that way as well. I just get a little more pump with it when I drive it through the desk. I have recorded with it both ways and prefer using it from the line outputs into the mixing desk and then into my other interface. I know it is the long way around but I agree that it seems to get a bit better sounds. And for me using the vocal pre amps in the thing and then going into the desk is killer. I don't need the external comp or pre and just shoot the signal in as is. Never really have to tweak much after that either.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004

May 30, 2007 10:08 pm

if you're diggin' it that go for it, maybe if you have some spare time, try recording one dry and adding some pluggs to try to get it to sound the same, and A/B it with your sound commin' from the UX-2....

technically, your converting A>D>A>D>A to your speakers, which is alot...so if ux-2's have good converters, and you're likin' the sound then keep it.

> > > Line 6 KB37 as outboard gear?

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