DI level for reamping

[Flow Of Time]

I know this has been discussed a few times, but I've never seen a perfect solution for this topic: How do you calibrate your input (and output), so the DI enters the amp at the exact same level, as it would when pluging in the guitar?

 

[guitarfishbay]

I know this has been discussed a few times, but I've never seen a perfect solution for this topic: How do you calibrate your input (and output), so the DI enters the amp at the exact same level, as it would when pluging in the guitar?

If you have the same guitar used for tracking available to you just A/B between going guitar -> amp and going interface -> reamp -> amp, adjusting until you're happy. There might be a difference in tone between the two because of your DI/Reamp chain, but you should be able to match levels exactly.

It is easiest to match by ear on the clean channel.

If you don't have the tracking guitar available you could still use another guitar as a benchmark. I don't think it matters to get it exact unless you're trying to match a tone exactly (i.e. the mics are still in the same place and amp settings the same) and the DI/Reamp chain makes it sound the exact same. As soon as there is a variable in the mic placement or amp settings you might as well just get the level to a point where you get a tone you like and continue from there.

 

[sinquestsound]

I know this has been discussed a few times, but I've never seen a perfect solution for this topic: How do you calibrate your input (and output), so the DI enters the amp at the exact same level, as it would when pluging in the guitar?

one more time: http://translate.google.pl/translat...hl=pl&ie=UTF-8&u=http://reampbox.com/&act=url

Stay Metal !

 

[Flow Of Time]

thanks for your replies! the polish link sounds very interesting, i'll take a closer look at it, when i'm at home! Another question: How do you proceed with amp-sims? I always tend to get the best results with the instrument in on a line 6 interface, even if the di is slightly clipping sometimes

 

[mickrich]

Record your di at -10.
Without touching the di gain plug the output of you reamp box into the input of the di box.
Set up another track on your daw.
Send the original recorded di track through the reamp box and back in through the di box.
Put the new track into record or input monitoring then set gain on the reamp box so the new track is -10.
Done.

 

[amarshism]

Smart

 

[deLuther]

I`m think that -10 is not needed, but setting your record path to unity gain by looping your signal back is clever, I`m always using such approach when setting recording/reamping levels. The rest depends on pickup, sometimes it can be lower, sometimes higher.

 

[Flow Of Time]

Record your di at -10.
Without touching the di gain plug the output of you reamp box into the input of the di box.
Set up another track on your daw.
Send the original recorded di track through the reamp box and back in through the di box.
Put the new track into record or input monitoring then set gain on the reamp box so the new track is -10.
Done.

That's sounds like a reasonable solution to the output problem, thanks!
Is there a way to figure out an amp input's "hotness", so you can record your DI at that same level?

 

[deLuther]

Use unity gain so that interface output will be equal to input. It can be set by proposed solution. Also sine signal can be used to set levels in the chain.
I`m using interface with +20 dbu input and output levels, instrument preamp set to 0 db gain (or, simply, unity gain) and Radial ProRMP modified to unity gain
That way I`m have enough headroom when recording DIs and matched levels.

 

[H-evolve]

Record your di at -10.
Without touching the di gain plug the output of you reamp box into the input of the di box.
Set up another track on your daw.
Send the original recorded di track through the reamp box and back in through the di box.
Put the new track into record or input monitoring then set gain on the reamp box so the new track is -10.
Done.

I'm resurrecting an old topic..! XD

Like most people, I think this is the way to do it. However, I just wanted to point out that there should still be a "minimum" signal level mentioned somewhere.

Even using this method, if your original DI level is too low (say -25dB), you won't have enough gain on your reamper to do that level matching method.

At least, that is my experience. That is why I like to have my original DI relatively loud (in the range of -6 to -4), so that I don't have to max the gain on my Reamper and still have some room to play with.