Help with recording guitar direct.

Posted on

patron saint of quality footwear
Member Since: May 30, 2002

Hello everyone,
you guys helped me out with my computer and it's running great now but I have a few questions in regards to recording guitar direct.

I've got M-audio's Omni i/o, delta 66 card and a digitech rp2000 modeling effect system.
The digitech has an input for guitar, a left and right output, a S/Pdif output and a MIDI in and out/thru.
The omni doesn't have a S/Pdif input but the delta 66 does.

What I have been doing is plugging my guitar into my digitech then plugging the two outs into the first two ins on my Omni and tracking two at a time.

Is there a better way? Should I be plugging the effects into the pre-amps like I have been or into one of the other ins? Finally, what is the S/Pdif for anyways?
I would like to use my digitech as an insert and plug my guitar direct to the omni on one track if I could.

On another note I would have to say that I am impressed with the preamps in the omni. I like the sound I get when I mike my amp, too bad it's not always possible.

[ Back to Top ]


Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 13, 2002 09:29 pm

You should be fine doing it the way you are, the S/PDIF jacks could be used as well. The S/PDIF jacks are digital, which means if you used the S/PDIF out of your Digitech and went into the S/PDIF in of your delta your guitar signal would never see a domain change, such as difital to analog or analog to digital, the guitar would go into the Digitech and from there on out the guitar sound would be completely digital.

There are several schools of thought on which is better, ultimately it just comes down to which you like better, going via your S/PDIF may give you an unwanted sterile, digital sound, or it may give you a crystal clear sound that you are looking for. Some people like a little analog in their sound, some people don't.

You can get the job done either way.

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 10:29 am

I have the digitech RP2000 and I like to record using the S/PDIF out because as dB said it avoids multiple signal convertions and clipping (digital signals don't clip) and the tracks don't sound sterile to me. I use the amp simulator, the cabinet simulators and sometimes the eq in the RP2000 to get a warm sound. Also if I'am looking for a particulary warmer sound, I can allways use magneto or cakewalk's tape sim to warm up the sound.
Anyway, it's just a matter of taste!!

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 02:45 pm

Digital signals don't clip? WHat makes you say that, Digital signals are far more sensitive to clipping than any analog format...and it is a nasty, harsh pop and snap...

Digital signals definately do clip...

But you are right, it is totally a matter of taste...and the right emulator can do great things...

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 05:19 pm

Ok, may be I didn't explain it right!! and if I'am wrong please let me know.
What I was trying to say is that once the convertion is done by the RP2000, the signal goes to the soundcard digitally (SPDIF) and canĀ“t suffer from clip. That is assuming that the signal is not clipping in the RP2000 of course.
All you're doing is transfering a digital signal without aditional convertions.

Quoting the audiophile's manual:
"Please note that the S/PDIF inputs are actually digital data and can not clip or distort the Audiophile S/PDIF input in any manner-in other words the "red zone" is perfectly safe for digital inputs"

What I understand (and tried to say is that) signals clip at the analog to digital convertion stage. As I say before, please correct me if I'am wrong.

Thanks

patron saint of quality footwear
Member
Since: May 30, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 06:06 pm

Thanks guys.

Sonico, the manual has a diagram showing the rp connected to the mixer by both the S/Pdif and the left/right outs. Is this how you've got yours hooked up?
I would be plugging the regular outs into my omni and the S/Pdif into my delta. Does that make sense?

Member
Since: Apr 19, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 06:13 pm

I only use the RP 2000's S/PDIF out to the S/PDIF in in the delta. No analog signal from the RP2000.
By the way, another advantage of recording with the RP 2000's S/PDIF out is that you can configure it to record the signal dry while monitoring with effects.

patron saint of quality footwear
Member
Since: May 30, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 08:26 pm

Sonico, thanks again. I'll give that a try and see how I like it.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 14, 2002 09:09 pm

The wonder's of the digital world, ain't life just grand.

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002


Aug 15, 2002 12:07 am

Just for trivial knowledge, S/PDIF stands for Sony/Phillips Digital Interface...

Related Forum Topics:



If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.