Finding Weakness in the Recording Chain

[EachHit]

Hi,

I was lately thinking about optimizing my recording Chain for DI Recordings to achieve better results with my Tones regarding to Guitar and Bass Sound.
Had the Chance to try Out some way better Guitars than Mine and I feel like I could get way better results with some Changes.

Let me Start on how I normally Record. In the Beginning I was just using the Hi-Z Inputs from my Saffire 6 USB. Then after realising that the Interface kinda clipped my DI's even if the Interface itselft didn't get in the Red Zone. Then I used a Palmer DI (PAN 01) which goes in my Interface, Of course not in the Hi-Z Input.

Does anybody have some tips to try Out which way will be best for Sound.

Can I play the same Riffs with each Method. Normalize the Wave and compare them how they Sound or how they react in reamping with the same Settings?

Maybe some of you have some Tips how to get the best out of my DI Recordings.

Heavy Greetz

 

[EachHit]

Hi,

I am sill searching for a way to otimize my Recordings and the way I reamp stuff. That's why I bump this thread so I don't have do make another one.

My Guess is that I may need a new Audiointerface cause that seems to be the weakest link in my Recording Chain.

Right now I am using my Behringer X32 Rack for my work at home. That's ok but I always have to travel it around from my Drum Recording Room which is some Kilometers away from my Home.

Maybe someone can recommend which is the best Interface which provides me the best Quality for Recording DI's and Reamping with the Kemper.

I am on a Windows PC so Apogee or UAD is not an Option for me.

Heavy Greetz

 

[Emdprodukt]

RME has very solid converters for a reasonable price.

 

[JeffTD]

Since you're using the Kemper, just find an interface with SPDIF and use it to send your DI/kemper track to your DAW at the same time (output menu settings) and then feed it back with another SPDIF cable. That way you never leave digital, don't need a full DI box, and you aren't relying on a cheap interface for all your conversion.

The downside is that you're using the KPA clock + converters; those are likely better than anything below RME/Audient level interfaces (think pro-sumer).

 

[EachHit]

Since you're using the Kemper, just find an interface with SPDIF and use it to send your DI/kemper track to your DAW at the same time (output menu settings) and then feed it back with another SPDIF cable. That way you never leave digital, don't need a full DI box, and you aren't relying on a cheap interface for all your conversion.

The downside is that you're using the KPA clock + converters; those are likely better than anything below RME/Audient level interfaces (think pro-sumer).

Hi,

thanks for the answers. I got a recommendation about an interface with SPDIF from the Dealer where I buy mostly all my stuff (Thomann).

It seems that the Kemper can now work with 48Khz. that was not possbile when I bought it I think.
And I am not sure if I need a 48KhZ Profile when I use it at 48KhZ.
By now I am only recording everything with 24Bit and 48khZ.

I was recommended the MOTU Microbook or the PreSonus Audiobox 44SVL. But I am still not sure what would be the best Option and the best Quality.

Maybe you can tell me what quality wise would be the best decision with my current Setup.

Heavy Greetz

 

[JeffTD]

48khz isn't officially supported but some forum members have found a way to 'unlock' it - it seems you need profiles done with a kemper switched to 48khz to make it work properly, though.

In that case, get an RME or Audient ID22 for best converter quality. What's your budget?

 

[EachHit]

48khz isn't officially supported but some forum members have found a way to 'unlock' it - it seems you need profiles done with a kemper switched to 48khz to make it work properly, though.

In that case, get an RME or Audient ID22 for best converter quality. What's your budget?

I think I read something about it's only working when you got Profiles with 48K. But I didn't understand how to make that work cause you can't tell the Kemper to make it in 48Khz. I guess you have to profile via SPDIF, right?

Haven't decided yet what Budget I may spent but I think that wouldn't mind spending a few hundred Bucks.

What would you recommend when Money wouldn't be that much of a Problem?

I had a look at the Audient also but I wasn't sure if it would work the way I am used to reamp mx Stuff. Was even thinking about getting a better DI Box but all the different opinions I read about the best Recording Chain makes me a little confused.

Heavy Greetz

 

[JeffTD]

You can force the KPA into 48khz mode from what I can tell: http://www.kemper-amps.com/forum/in...PDIF-slave-or-selectable-sample-rates-48-44-1

The RME UC/UCX/Babyface are great, Apogee gear gets a big thumbs up from me if you're on OS X, Audient makes good stuff, UA Apollo series if you want the plugins (also OS X only).

The 'best' recording chain for recording guitar DIs would just be a good guitar, DI box, mic pre, converter, and interface. Everything we've been talking about so far combines some aspect of that; if you're just plugging your guitar straight into the interface itself, then everything from DI box to interface is inside of that unit. Often, stock DI boxes and mic pres aren't that great, which is why external DI boxes (e.g. Countryman Type 85) and preamps (e.g. BAE, API, etc) are very common.

The Kemper has a DI onboard - a pretty good one. It also sends signal out as line-level, so you're probably safe just plugging the output from the Kemper that has the DI signal into the line-in of an interface with a good converter onboard (RME, Apogee, Audient).

It's really just a matter of what you're willing to compromise on. I can tell you that in my experience, in order of "most effect on sound quality" to "least effect on sound quality," it would be: DI box, preamp, converter.

 

[EachHit]

You can force the KPA into 48khz mode from what I can tell: http://www.kemper-amps.com/forum/in...PDIF-slave-or-selectable-sample-rates-48-44-1

The RME UC/UCX/Babyface are great, Apogee gear gets a big thumbs up from me if you're on OS X, Audient makes good stuff, UA Apollo series if you want the plugins (also OS X only).

The 'best' recording chain for recording guitar DIs would just be a good guitar, DI box, mic pre, converter, and interface. Everything we've been talking about so far combines some aspect of that; if you're just plugging your guitar straight into the interface itself, then everything from DI box to interface is inside of that unit. Often, stock DI boxes and mic pres aren't that great, which is why external DI boxes (e.g. Countryman Type 85) and preamps (e.g. BAE, API, etc) are very common.

The Kemper has a DI onboard - a pretty good one. It also sends signal out as line-level, so you're probably safe just plugging the output from the Kemper that has the DI signal into the line-in of an interface with a good converter onboard (RME, Apogee, Audient).

It's really just a matter of what you're willing to compromise on. I can tell you that in my experience, in order of "most effect on sound quality" to "least effect on sound quality," it would be: DI box, preamp, converter.

Thanks for the detailed answer.

Until now I was using a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB. In the Beginning I was just using the Hi-Z Inputs but they somehow clipped my DI Signal even if it wasn't even hitting -6db at Peaks.
That's why I used a DI Box (Palmer Pan01) in Front of that. Of course I switched to the normal XLR Input.

Maybe you can tell me how it works when everything is separate like DI, Preamp cand Converter. Honestly I don't have a Clue how to do a research on that. I know that some guys use different Preamps for different Kind of Recordings but I don't know how they get the Signal into the Computer.

I am only experienced in just using a normal Interface like the Focusrite or the Behringer X32.

Guess I should try out the Audient.

Heavy Greetz