I need some help here guys, I'm totally stuck.

So far I'm recording with the following setup:
Guitar -> Zoom G7.UT -> Recording Computer
and planning to to smth similar live:
Guitar -> Zoom G7.UT -> PA

But I'm not really happy with the G7's Distortian, especially the fact that you can't choose AMP-Simulation and Distortion seperately, and plugging in an Ibanez Tubescreamer before or after the Zoom didn't sound very well, too.

So there are different ways to get around this problem as far as I can see:

1. simply get another Multieffect with better Distortion
2. get the effectboards seperately, which will mean I need a preamp (right?)
3. get a "normal" Amp (maybe this: http://www.musik-produktiv.de/laney-lx-120...alf-stack.aspx) and use a microphone to record the Amp's output instead of just plugging in the Zoom

Summed up, I search for a good (and affordable) way to record my stuff AND play it live without big differences in the sound.

What would be the Pros and Cons of the three possibilities and are there other ones?
I'm kinda new to the recording stuff; what I'm doing sounds pretty well, except for the Distortion-possibilities.

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

As far as multi effects go- the Line 6 Pod XT Live is a big hitter amongst most of the GMC so thats on my next list of purchases. I'm not sure how the distortion sounds but i bleieve ease of recording is as simple as USB connection. Live: I believe you could go direct output straight into the PA using the Pod but you'd be better off waiting for a reply from an actual owner.

As far as amps go- good sounds don't come cheap- and in my budget i'm definatly having to resort to digital processing as opposed to the real sounds. But if you've got lots of money- if you mic up your lush sounding amp using a nice mic your recordings should be pretty sweet.

All 100% correct ...

Hmm, ok.
@Andrew: I see in your signature that you don't play live at the moment and thus don't have an amp.
Would you add an amp to your setup to play live in addition to the Pod or would just just plug in directly to the PA?

To direct the last question to all of you people:

How would you do it?
I want my sound to be very similar, whether on CD or during live performance.
So how would you do it.
I don't need a lot of effects, but a decent amp/simulation and good distortion is the minimum I think.
The Pod XT Live looks very good though.

I'm fairly convinced about the POD so thats my choice- whether using it through the PA or your amp you'll still <probably> get as good a tone as your recordings. I can't wait till my next pay day!!

Ok, I think I will give it a try, a store near my place should have it so I can test.
I'll let you know.

Great! I'll be interested to know how you find it- let me know

EDIT: spelling

This post has been edited by DeepRoots: Sep 14 2007, 08:53 PM

If you decide you want a PODXTL, get it off eBay! I got one for 316$ shipped, which is still a savings over the 428.99 I would have paid if I picked it up locally (399.99 + 7% sales tax). I won one on ebay tuesday night and know for a fact there was one with a "buy it now" price of 300$ +20 shipping further down the list that should be running up today or tomorrow. Either way, that's a 25% savings. I'm excited about it showing up.

Yes, playing through the PA would be an option, plus a decent clean amp for monitoring or smaller gigs - probably a keyboard or smaller PA amp as they don't color the sound as much as even a clean guitar amp.