Guitar DI level when reamping

[Sly]

I generally track the guitar DIs peaking @ -4 or -5 db in my DAW, but when I reamp I don't know if I have to set them at maximum level (avoiding to reach 0 db) or if I have to keep the initial level.
What do you think of this ? I noticed it changes the amp sound and affects the gain etc.

 

[Ermz]

It depends mostly on how you have your converters calibrated. The traditional guideline is to track as hot as you can without clipping so that you have ample gain in reserve - but bear in mind that cranking the mic pre doing this will increase relative distortion/noise, it may not actually be the best way to go about things. Best principle as always is to just record at whatever reference level your converters are at. Stick to the sweet spot of your recording gear.

 

[Zozobra]

I just went through this debacle with my stuff.

I'd used reamping for other people and not had much trouble at all. Weak reamp signal (that turned out to be my X-Amp). But when it came to a bout of doing my own songs the reamps sounded shitty, overly distorted AND weak. I think the thread is still on 1st page if youre interested.

Summary; a few of the guys said that I was tracking them too hot. I was getting the absolute maximum peaks at about - 1 or -2 db. This was distorting the DIs on input. I found that the best level for my gear (ff800, J48 and now red eye) is absolute peak at about -8 - -10. I think one of the reasons I got away with it before is that I'm a very aggressive player, but the guys I've been recording arent, and I set the pre gain to my playing, so their tracks were cooler.

All things considered, after hearing the results of DIs tracked too hot, youre better off erring on the low gain on input side, and upping the gain on output and at the amp if you need to compensate. You can add more gain/distortion if you need it, you cant take it out if its in the DIs.

 

[AllanD]

I get it so it maxes at -12.

 

[ScootBaloo]

I calibrate my reamp output level to the DI box level as follows :

1. Record 2 seconds of guitar using DI box.
2. Connect reamp output to DI box input and then connect DI box thru connector to the amp.
3. Play back ( i.e. reamp ) the 2 seconds of audio while recording the DI box at the same time.
4. Your reamp output level is correct if the 2 snippets of audio you recorded are the same volume.

 

[ahjteam]

recording cable dc hum is more effective for calibration.

 

[gabriel g.]

why not plug a guitar ino a voltmeter and messure the voltage.
write it down and then match the voltage of whats commin out of the reamp box with the channel level and the volume knob on the reamp device?

 

[darthjujuu]

why not plug a guitar ino a voltmeter and messure the voltage.
write it down and then match the voltage of whats commin out of the reamp box with the channel level and the volume knob on the reamp device?

i think instrument level signals are way too fast and dynamic to get a reliable reading out of a volt meter o_o

 

[gabriel g.]

I would only messure a palm mute in both situations....
I didnt try it myself but it makes sense to me