Recording W/ Podxt: Amp Vs Speakers, which is best
Rowan
Sep 17 2009, 01:12 PM
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Hi,

First off I want to let you know I know I have another topic but I made this one as its a different question and I just want to keep the forum clean.

Anyway, after alot of help from the guys here and some friends ive been told that because I dont play LIVE etc I basically just learn songs in my house and want to put covers on YouTube etc of my favourite songs, I should maybe opt to changing my Peavey VK112 for a set of Active Speakers.

Ive noticed myself that when I play via the amp I can get a nice tone but when it comes to recording it it sounds nothing like it, and it also makes a difference when trying to record it as it doesnt feel the same.

So I spoke to a friend who is very good at recording and he does it all the time. He said with a set of Active Speakers you get no latency lag when playing and the tone you create will be the same as recording, which means you can get it perfect 1st time.

What I want is some opinions on this before I decide to go down that road.


Im using a Line6 PODxt Live for those who dont know.


Is it a good idea to do this?
What are good active speakers to get?
I saw these: http://www.guitar.co.uk/studio_monitors/27...ve_usb_monitors
Will the quality be just as good as my Peavey?
I have Logitech Z4 speakers but I take it there not good enough?
How would I connect it all in?
Is it ok to record via USB on a laptop or should I get an external USB soundcard (I have Creative XFi 5.1 Surround)



Thanks and all help is appreciated greatly,

-R

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This post has been edited by Rowan: Sep 17 2009, 01:34 PM


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MickeM
Sep 17 2009, 01:52 PM
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QUOTE (Rowan @ Sep 17 2009, 02:12 PM) *
What are good active speakers to get?
I saw these: http://www.guitar.co.uk/studio_monitors/27...ve_usb_monitors
Will the quality be just as good as my Peavey?
I have Logitech Z4 speakers but I take it there not good enough?
How would I connect it all in?
Is it ok to record via USB on a laptop or should I get an external USB soundcard (I have Creative XFi 5.1 Surround)

I think those Samson monitors are a bit too small to get enough bass. I think you should find a pair with a 5" woofer. Those are replacement for the general computer speaker but not the best solution for music production unless you have to compromise with a budget or space (they are quite small)
Without having seen what Z4 speakers look like I can tell you that the step up to the small Samson monitors won't be a huge one.
If you can connect the direct out from the POD into the monitors that's great.

About external soundinterface, I'm in the same debate with myself. I'm using my POD _AS_ the sound interface to my computer. I works ok but isn't ideal, recording the internal sounds is fine but recording a mike through it I'm not happy with it.
So either way I will be getting an M-audio I was recommended by Ivan. I was set on an expensive interface but was thinking to get the cheaper M-Audio Fast Track whatever the full name was with 2 XLR inputs. And for the live sessions use a Zoom R16. Then I'd connect my POD to the M-Audio through the S/PDIF and keep one input for guitar and one for a mike.

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Rowan
Sep 17 2009, 01:56 PM
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I was thinking they were a bit cheap to be true sad.gif

What speakers could you recommend for me to use for playing nice metal tones via the PODxt for recording to the laptop.

I dont really know what my budget is, hopefully not alot unless I can sell my Peavey on.

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--------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jackson RR24 Snow White
Schecter C-1 Exotic Star w/ EMG 81-85
LINE6 PODxt Live w/ all additional patches
Peavey Valveking 112 w/ Celestion Vintage 30

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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MickeM
Sep 17 2009, 02:31 PM
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QUOTE (Rowan @ Sep 17 2009, 02:56 PM) *
What speakers could you recommend for me to use for playing nice metal tones via the PODxt for recording to the laptop.

I don't get that... You don't actually need monitors for laptop recording. Did I misunderstand you there or did you misunderstand something? Just checking...


QUOTE (Rowan @ Sep 17 2009, 02:56 PM) *
I was thinking they were a bit cheap to be true sad.gif

I had a look at the Z4 speakers, keep them, can't be that bad, can they? A small woofer but what's the purpose here, to record music professionally? I don't think you have to over do it by getting expensive gear that you don't need just yet and your aim is just recording for fun smile.gif

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Rowan
Sep 17 2009, 03:32 PM
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What I was meaning about the tones was so I could hear clearly with no lag what my tone was sounding and recording like while I was playing it in full time.

The Z4 are good, I use them for my music and love them but I didnt think they would be up to pro quality for guitar.


Im not looking for expensive gear, I just want an easy way to record guitar while listening to it lag free. And at first I blammed the pod, but all the people I "look up to" on YouTube all use them and they seem to get it working fine.

Killrbuckeye is being very helpful as he does something really similar to what im wanting to achieve. He recommended using: KRK Rokit 5 G2

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This post has been edited by Rowan: Sep 17 2009, 03:35 PM


--------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jackson RR24 Snow White
Schecter C-1 Exotic Star w/ EMG 81-85
LINE6 PODxt Live w/ all additional patches
Peavey Valveking 112 w/ Celestion Vintage 30

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

https://www.youtube.com/ScottR31
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Fran
Sep 17 2009, 03:45 PM
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Hi,

Logitech Z4s will do the job much better than your guitar amp, because they won't color the sound as much. I'd say that if you don't plan to do serious recordings they are perfectly fine.

The best solution would be, as your friend suggested, getting some active monitors. Some GMCers have those KRK Rokit, I believe Skennington has the 6'' version, and they are happy with them. The bigger the better bass you'll get.

As for latency, as long as you use your POD via USB you shouldn't get any, no matter what you are hearing your sound through (amp/speakers/monitors). The monitors don't color the sound at all. Guitar amp colors it a LOT (not suitable to record), and the Z4s are a nice solution in between.

Good luck smile.gif

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Rowan
Sep 17 2009, 04:00 PM
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Thanks, and was I right in how I would connect them to the POD?

A mini-jack from the speakers... to.... twin jack in the back of the POD where it says L/R MONO?

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--------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jackson RR24 Snow White
Schecter C-1 Exotic Star w/ EMG 81-85
LINE6 PODxt Live w/ all additional patches
Peavey Valveking 112 w/ Celestion Vintage 30

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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Fran
Sep 17 2009, 04:09 PM
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Just connect them to the headphones out.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

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Guitars:
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Amp:
Vox AC4TVH head + V112TV cab
Effects:
Vox Satchurator, Vox Time Machine, Dunlop CryBaby, Boss MT-2, Boss CE-5, Boss TU-2, Boss ME-70
Recording:
Line-6 POD X3 + FBV-Express, Pandora PX5D

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jafomatic
Sep 17 2009, 04:13 PM
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QUOTE (Fran @ Sep 17 2009, 10:09 AM) *
Just connect them to the headphones out.


One note about doing this, while researching whether the XT live had a proper monitor/phones out (for this thread) I saw there was some remark on faq that it will "put the XT live into studio mode. learn more about studio mode here!" except... there's no mention of studio mode in the document shown once your follow the "learn more about studio mode here!" link.

However, you are doing this for studio monitoring. I suspect whatever it's doing in studio mode is going to be correct.

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Rowan
Sep 17 2009, 04:24 PM
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Ive always had mine in Studio Mode.

Anyways what I did there was I had amp off, PODxt Live connected USB to laptop, Headphones in PODxt Live.

I was recording in ASIO (Send Processed) and when I hit record I could hear the backing track and what I was playing through my headphones. When I was finished when I change the ASIO to DirectSound and it played through my PC speakers to hear it and it sounded like I was playing but a bit better as it was out speakers smile.gif

I then copied my recording into 2 and put one Left Pan and one Right.

Seems to be working a bit better now.


Does it sound like im doing everything right or is there something I should do better? Should I record Dry then Wet track or just processed?


Also where can I buy the cable to connect my Z4 speakers to my PODxt Live?

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This post has been edited by Rowan: Sep 17 2009, 04:25 PM


--------------------
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jackson RR24 Snow White
Schecter C-1 Exotic Star w/ EMG 81-85
LINE6 PODxt Live w/ all additional patches
Peavey Valveking 112 w/ Celestion Vintage 30

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

https://www.youtube.com/ScottR31
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Ivan Milenkovic
Sep 17 2009, 04:27 PM
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The sound will always be better when playing your guitar through valveking because guitar speaker is the actual instrument involved in producing the sound, while the regular speakers found in home stereo systems, PC systems, monitor systems, PA systems etc are designed to reproduce the sound. The overall dynamic response will be better with the guitar speaker, as they are designed to cope with guitar's mids/percussive nature well.
However, with the development of modeling technologies, the sound of guitar amplifier, guitar cabinet and mic is all modeled inside the modeling device (in your case POD), so this means you have to plug the speaker who will reproduce the sounds from POD with the biggest amount of accuracy in frequency response.

Audio monitors are the speakers specially designed to color the tone as little as possible and to have a very flat response. They are however pricey, because the quality of build is much greater with this speakers as the stakes are high in audio production industry.

PC speakers (your Logitech set) is a mainstream set suitable for games, movies and other activities on the computer. It is not intended directly for mixing or audio production, although it can be used no problem. The only problem with those speakers is once you make all the presets right with them, they will sound completely different on some other speakers, because these speakers have a curved response, which means they add/lack more bass or mids or treble somewhere in the sound range. Again, this is not a problem at all if you use them at home and for recording, but I suggest that you at least use a pair of cheap headphones or two, different brands, and another set of speakers so you can reference the mixing you are doing on those as well if you want your mix to be more consistent.
For regular every day playing, I think they will do the job nicely. But again, guitar speaker will always work better, since it is designed to play guitar and be powered by the overdriven amp. The trade off is that you cannot have all those great amps that are modeled inside the POD since they are extremely expensive, so modeling+audio monitors is a proper way for home recording.

For more advanced recording, I suggest going into good studio and micing up a good amp and a good cab for a realistic sound, dynamics and overtones.

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This post has been edited by Ivan Milenkovic: Sep 17 2009, 04:33 PM


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Keilnoth
Sep 19 2009, 10:40 AM
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Speaking about cheap stuff, I have Logitech speakers with a subwoofer and a (very) good set of headphones and I can say that the speakers are quite good at producing the same sound than my headphones.

But again, I have a subwoofer and that's probably the reason I got some good sound quality.... I think... But that's absolutely not a pro equipment. wink.gif

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Ivan Milenkovic
Sep 22 2009, 12:09 AM
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Logitech set will be appropriate for the use with POD. If you get increased demand for flat audio response later, we can help to point out some good monitor speakers.

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