Interface Advice Re-visited. |
|
Interface Advice Re-visited. |
|
|
|
|
Aug 3 2015, 08:03 PM |
Ok folks,
I think I've asked this before but I was just wanting to change for the sake of it but now, I am starting to get into using Reaper and I find that I get a little bit of conflict with the hardware knobs on my V Studio 20 and the software controls on Reaper, nothing major but a bit of a ball ache Have been thinking about these. http://uk.line6.com/podstudioux2/ Love those VUs http://www.akaipro.com/product/eiepro Love those VUs https://www.roland.co.uk/products/quad-capture/ Really can't make my mind up and I know you are all going to throw something else into the mix to mess my brain up some more. I've assigned £200 budget for this but can go more if there is something worth going for but as with most things I guess the laws of diminishing returns comes into play. Cheers -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 3 2015, 08:38 PM |
From those devices, I've only used first hand pod studio ux2. I actually have it on my desk and use it on day to day basis. I gotta say that this interface is really nice although some dislike it in terms of quality. Mine has been working for more than 8 years and from issues I'm having it is dust in the gain knobs and phantom power button. Neat plus of this interface is built in software modeling (pod farm) which can be useful for quick demos and projects on the go. You can always record a dry signal and use some other software like Guitar Rig etc.
So to sum it up: Pod Studio UX is plastic, looks a bit like a toy, feels a bit like a toy and has toy software built in BUT - it all works and actually feels pretty user friendly and practical -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now! |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 3 2015, 11:40 PM |
For the money, i'd say get the AKAI. It's got the most inputs, it's not made out of plastic, it doesn't look or feel like a toy, etc. It's a quality bit of kit with a nice build quality and vu meters
Ok folks, I think I've asked this before but I was just wanting to change for the sake of it but now, I am starting to get into using Reaper and I find that I get a little bit of conflict with the hardware knobs on my V Studio 20 and the software controls on Reaper, nothing major but a bit of a ball ache Have been thinking about these. http://uk.line6.com/podstudioux2/ Love those VUs http://www.akaipro.com/product/eiepro Love those VUs https://www.roland.co.uk/products/quad-capture/ Really can't make my mind up and I know you are all going to throw something else into the mix to mess my brain up some more. I've assigned £200 budget for this but can go more if there is something worth going for but as with most things I guess the laws of diminishing returns comes into play. Cheers |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 4 2015, 11:50 AM |
phil, didnt you have one of those Boss dealies, a GT 100 or something? I might be wrong.... it has been known I have a Boss ME80. I was thinking of trading it in for a Boss GT001 though. I know you can re-amp with that which I find useful. I hate recording dry because for me the tone inspires the playing. The GT001 can record two signals, one dry one wet so that seems handy. Maybe I should add the GT001 back into the shortlist. What you all think? Cheers -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 4 2015, 12:16 PM |
... What you all think? Cheers After using pedals before soundcard, I don't think I want to go back to using only processors or only amp sim.s. I only setup an absolute clean sound with plug-ins (cab. ir and a very clean amp) and a studio quality reverb plug-in as I'm not using much cpu anyway. Then get all the dirt I want with my overdrive and distortion pedals, besides sound the guitar feels better too. I specifically don't want to use analog delay,chorus, reverb cause if I'm not recording a solo in 1 take these time variant fx can be problematic. Plug-ins do these stuff pretty good anyway. One of the students I mentioned will buy an amp sort of pedal soon, either a joyo ac tone or tech 21 leeds. He liked Vox tones but can't mic. an amp at his apartment so these work great for such approaches (check hotone stuff too we recently discussed with todd). So if this approach makes sense to you then buying a nice soundcard like the options you listed would be fine. PS; I didn't want to add but since no one hasn't (edit) AudioBox iTwo http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-i-Series its new so I don't know anyone using it but presonus is a good company. This post has been edited by Mertay: Aug 4 2015, 12:47 PM |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 4 2015, 08:22 PM |
I'm going to play devil's advocate here, I don't think you should buy anything. The real question is what are you trying to achieve? If you're getting a good digital signal to the DAW, the primary job of the audio interface is done. I only really use two hardware knobs on mine, input gain and monitor volume. Scanning the thread, the only thing you mention is being able to record dry while live monitoring the wet signal and re-amping. I took a quick look at the ME80 and VStudio product pages and it seems like you have everything you need to do that right now, minus a cheap cable or two. I use a Pod HD500X and a Scarlett 6i6 to do exactly that in Reaper and you could probably do the same, I'd be happy to try and figure it out with you. If it doesn't work then look at getting a new interface, if it does your gear will be exciting again and you'll have saved all that money. To me it looks like you have an over-abundance of features at your disposal right now and digging in deeper to solve these kind of things will grow your skills. Unless you're hitting a limiter with your current gear, I'd save the money for something else in the future. Thanks Brian, The thing is I have issues with the Cakewalk DAW (Guitar Tracks 4), it keeps saying that memory is out, it's quite old and I think maybe as Windows gets updated there are conflicts, also, whenever I ask for help on here, nobody has heard of Guitar Tracks 4. This led me to start using Reaper. On my audio interface I use direct monitor, output level, peak sens and the sliders. When I use Reaper sometimes I sit there and I'm thinking "something isn't right, this is quiet", then I realise that the interface knobs/sliders are conflicting somehow with the software knobs/sliders in Reaper (or the other way around). I have to move each knob/slider just a little, this seems to somehow reset everything so that they both communicate, it's hard to explain really but if I leave the interface exactly as it was in the previous session, the knobs/sliders aren't indicative of where they actually, physically are. I know it's not major but it is a bit of a ball ache. In the Cakewalk software you can flip to a page that replicates the interface so anything you physically do on the interface is mirrored on teh screen, the DAW and interface were designed for each other. Regarding the ME80, I think the GT001 would be better and would tidy up my workspace. I know I can use the ME80 almost like the GT001 BUT I can't work out how to record with it and be able to alter my sound afterwards as the effected signal goes into the interface/DAW. Sometimes for my lessons Gab will say "you tone needs tweaking" and we will discuss it and the easiest way for me is to use a plug in like Amplitube and re-amp until I get what is required, instead of making another recording with a different sound. My time is very short. I find the ME80 can give me more versatility and ease to get what I want sometimes, especially with something like THIS when I'm after atmosphere. This is why I thought about the GT100 but I could stick with the ME80 if I could record wet and dry. But then I still have the issue of the minor ball ache with the conflict. With the GT001 I can record a dry and wet signal at the same time so keeping my original wet sound for reference. I am in no rush but I am starting to feel like a complete clear out of recording hardware and starting again with Reaper compatible hardware. Any further advice gratefully received I'm not very good at this kind of thing at the moment so want a nice simple solution. I have full license Amplitube already so that is there for when I want to use it but I still want a hardware effects unit that can go into my amp OR my PC, this is why I am now, again leaning towards the GT001. Plus the GT001 has a simple monophonic guitar-to-MIDI conversion from normal 1/4-inch guitar input which I may use. Thanks I'm all confused now, I hate lucking at new gear, I usually spend months weighing things up and then new gear comes out by the time I have decided This post has been edited by Phil66: Aug 4 2015, 08:24 PM -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 4 2015, 09:51 PM |
I think you can accomplish both fixing your transport controls and the recording wet/dry issues, but that's easy for me to say without having to be the one to actually do it.
Here's a thread I found on getting the VStudio 20 series to work in Reaper and getting the controls to work. They seemed happy with the outcome, not sure if it's the same issue you're describing. All of those sliders/etc... are just sending midi messages out of the USB. I think you just need to configure Reaper to "listen" to them. If that doesn't work I can see why that'd be annoying and shop for another interface. Ok, I wrote the above before I started looking at the Boss ME80 manual and I think it's possible you may not need your VStudio for much and the ME80 will be the interface. The re-amping thing I'm pretty sure is doable with your current setup, I'm doing it and the ME80 seems to have the necessary inputs/outputs. I can help you try it out and it'll be a fun experiment even if you end up getting something else. I think you can make this work. First, how is everything hooked up now, and how are you listening/monitoring the sound? This post has been edited by yoncopin: Aug 4 2015, 09:52 PM -------------------- |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 4 2015, 11:53 PM |
I actually ended up suggesting the same thing a bit back in another thread I Don't remember how it ended though. I suggested skipping guitar tracks entirely and just using the ME80 and Reaper. Seems like that would pretty much solve the issue Or at least I thought it would.
PHIL. What was the reason for not just ditching the other box and using the ME80 as your interface? If you are thinking of the boss gt100, I'd honestly say get the AVID ELEVEN RACK instead. It will let you record clean and effected signals at the same time over usb and it's a full on audio interface with a Mic preamp and an XLR jack in the front. So you can use Microphones for vocals/guitars/whatever. Also, the sound quality of the sims is a bit better IMHO than in the boss product. You already have an ME80 so adding another boss product won't gain you tons of sonic ground IMHO. The tones in those two boxes are somewhat similar. They are both boss products using boss sims. So they are going to sound a bit alike. Sort of like how the line 6 products tend to sound similar across the range. But in the end, you gotta trust your ears I think you can accomplish both fixing your transport controls and the recording wet/dry issues, but that's easy for me to say without having to be the one to actually do it.
Here's a thread I found on getting the VStudio 20 series to work in Reaper and getting the controls to work. They seemed happy with the outcome, not sure if it's the same issue you're describing. All of those sliders/etc... are just sending midi messages out of the USB. I think you just need to configure Reaper to "listen" to them. If that doesn't work I can see why that'd be annoying and shop for another interface. Ok, I wrote the above before I started looking at the Boss ME80 manual and I think it's possible you may not need your VStudio for much and the ME80 will be the interface. The re-amping thing I'm pretty sure is doable with your current setup, I'm doing it and the ME80 seems to have the necessary inputs/outputs. I can help you try it out and it'll be a fun experiment even if you end up getting something else. I think you can make this work. First, how is everything hooked up now, and how are you listening/monitoring the sound? This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Aug 4 2015, 11:59 PM |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 5 2015, 05:36 PM |
I think you can accomplish both fixing your transport controls and the recording wet/dry issues, but that's easy for me to say without having to be the one to actually do it. Here's a thread I found on getting the VStudio 20 series to work in Reaper and getting the controls to work. They seemed happy with the outcome, not sure if it's the same issue you're describing. All of those sliders/etc... are just sending midi messages out of the USB. I think you just need to configure Reaper to "listen" to them. If that doesn't work I can see why that'd be annoying and shop for another interface. Ok, I wrote the above before I started looking at the Boss ME80 manual and I think it's possible you may not need your VStudio for much and the ME80 will be the interface. The re-amping thing I'm pretty sure is doable with your current setup, I'm doing it and the ME80 seems to have the necessary inputs/outputs. I can help you try it out and it'll be a fun experiment even if you end up getting something else. I think you can make this work. First, how is everything hooked up now, and how are you listening/monitoring the sound? Thanks Brian, I'll check that thread out later I actually ended up suggesting the same thing a bit back in another thread I Don't remember how it ended though. I suggested skipping guitar tracks entirely and just using the ME80 and Reaper. Seems like that would pretty much solve the issue Or at least I thought it would. PHIL. What was the reason for not just ditching the other box and using the ME80 as your interface? If you are thinking of the boss gt100, I'd honestly say get the AVID ELEVEN RACK instead. It will let you record clean and effected signals at the same time over usb and it's a full on audio interface with a Mic preamp and an XLR jack in the front. So you can use Microphones for vocals/guitars/whatever. Also, the sound quality of the sims is a bit better IMHO than in the boss product. You already have an ME80 so adding another boss product won't gain you tons of sonic ground IMHO. The tones in those two boxes are somewhat similar. They are both boss products using boss sims. So they are going to sound a bit alike. Sort of like how the line 6 products tend to sound similar across the range. But in the end, you gotta trust your ears Thanks Todd, I don't see how to use ME80 as my interface but it's big on my desk anyway. Regarding the Eleven Rack, the Boss GT001 is only £165 Off out for meal and ale with wife. I'll check some more later on. Cheers Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 5 2015, 08:29 PM |
Woooohooooooooooo
Thanks Brian, I now have Reaper and VS-20 communicating I can only use it for 8 tracks (the VS-20 has 4 groups of 8) as the "track group" select button doesn't work but that should be fine for me until much later on and I guess I can always bounce down. So now to study how to record a dry and wet signal simultaneously to allow re-amping if I am using the ME80 Maybe I'll end up with the >>> GT 001 <<< eventually. I'm now thinking of getting a Blackstar HT 5 R head and the GT 001 as the head has an effects loop and I'm sure the GT 001 has the capability to go into an effects loop, that way I can use my amp properly when I want to. Hmmmm, I wonder if there is a way of modding a Blackstar HT 1 R to have an effects loop Thanks folks. This post has been edited by Phil66: Aug 5 2015, 09:44 PM -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 6 2015, 06:29 PM |
Thanks Todd,
I'll look into that. I'm all confused as to what I want to do. I like being able to re-amp with Amplitude but I'm not keen on the UI. I like hardware controls like on the VS 20 as I hate keep reaching for the mouse. Most of my work is done with my guitar hanging from my neck as it is all based around my lessons at the moment so I record listen re record listen re record listen, save mix upload then onto next part of lesson so hardware controls are good for me. This is one thing that puts me off everything else really. If don't know what I want Cheers -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||
|
|
|
Aug 6 2015, 08:33 PM |
The good news is that with your me80 you have full hardware control of your tone with the knobs and via usb it works as a recording interface If you don't like messing with software plugins for reamping, you can just use your me80 and record the tone as you go. Of course, you'd lose the volume control for each track that is part of your other interface. From what I've read, the sound engine in the table top gt is not vastly different from the boss pedals built in to your boss recording interface. But in the end you gotta trust your ears I wouldn't suggest buying an amp like the black star, without an fx loop, if you want a rig with an fx loop. Adding one is dicey at best. You can put your fx in front before the input though. But other than that, you'd need an fx loop. I see what you mean on price of the gt001 that's cheap compared to many other options. Thanks Todd, I already have the Blackstar HT1 R head with two 4x8 cabs, it is lovely. I avoided an effects loop because I had one on my Peavey Bandit and it was a nightmare as the patch levels vary so much but I now realise the just has to be taken to get everything to match volume wise. I'll have a fiddle at the weekend. My ideal option would be a GT001 WITH sliders Cheers Phil To re-amp you can also play your dry track out into your ME80 (via the Aux In?) and record the wet signal coming back out of it on the USB. This is what I do since I don't have software plugins, and then I can jam with the tones I've created anytime too. Sorry Brian, I don't quite get you, I'm not a drongo, honest -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
|
|
||