Rate/ help me with this lead tone

[JayB]

Hey, so the rhythms for this were done through a real amp, but the leads were not done at the time. So they are being done with just amp sims. Anyway, I am unsure about the lead tone I'm getting at the moment, so I figured I'd post a clip. For once thing, I'm not sure if I should be needing to go to 100% on both power and gain... that seems a bit strange, so I think I'm doing something wrong. I'm using Nick Crowe 8505 in this clip. Lead is at 2:20 in this clip


edit: New mix https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2354806/Sn...12 Contagion Automated Solo And Clean GTR.mp3

 

[JayB]

Anyone? I'd also like to know how the delay and slight verb sound... I'm using Echoboy and Dverb

 

[JayB]

Here's an updated mix, I've automated delay and verb on it etc. I kind of feel like I might be using sims wrong, because I literally had to max out gain and power on the 8505 sim to get close to the gain I needed, plus like 12 db compression... I'm wondering if maybe the input is more important than I'm giving it credit for. How high do you guys usually set the input on amp sims? Or is it different depending on source level, like with a compressor?

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2354806/Sn...12 Contagion Automated Solo And Clean GTR.mp3