Is there any validity to this, or is it something that will slowly destroy your amp?
I only ask because if this works without destroying my Dual Rec then this will save me a ton of money on buying a load box.
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Recording tube amps without a load box?
- Thread starter HRdrummer
- Start date
Is there any validity to this, or is it something that will slowly destroy your amp?
I only ask because if this works without destroying my Dual Rec then this will save me a ton of money on buying a load box.
After checking the Orange forums (it's always best to check an actual amp forum first on matters like this), it should work. However, keep in mind that you do, in fact, need to keep the amp connected to your cab. If you don't do that, then the power section will have problems, but as long as the cab is connected, this should work.
I have done this before with a Mesa Road King. Works great. If you leave the return open you can keep the cab on for monitoring if you want. Turn the channel volume up and the master down.
I have heard about this method and never really gave it any thought, since I think it's far more of a demo kind of thing, but I think I may give it a shot in a few weeks when I get my amp back.
It works great. You'll be missing some of that beef from the power amp since you are only getting signal from the preamp but it still sounds pretty good. If you get a loadbox with a line out you'll get a more accurate sound of the amp though. Some amps rely on the power amp more than others.
TheWinterSnow
Den Mørke Natt
There is one thing to keep in mind, even with this method you still need a load, a speaker is fine. Understand though that with most amps, there is still some signal being sent to the power amp and there will be some sound coming from the speaker. It is really quiet and muffled if not completely silent, but you still need a load of some sort.
xTomx
Member
TRUIE
Member
It works, but you won't record the poweramp section and you will still need a load (in that case, the cab is the load).
If you own a DI that can handle speaker levels, you'll be better trying these chains :
Poweramp output > DI > Output to Pre > converters > DAW
----------------------> Thru to Cab (or any kind of load)
OR
Poweramp output 1 > Cab
Poweramp output 2 (same Ohms than 1) > DI > Output to Pre > converters > DAW
This one is explained here : http://www.avalondesign.com/pdfs/u5speakerin.pdf
If you own a DI that can handle speaker levels, you'll be better trying these chains :
Poweramp output > DI > Output to Pre > converters > DAW
----------------------> Thru to Cab (or any kind of load)
OR
Poweramp output 1 > Cab
Poweramp output 2 (same Ohms than 1) > DI > Output to Pre > converters > DAW
This one is explained here : http://www.avalondesign.com/pdfs/u5speakerin.pdf
Brett - K A L I S I A
Dreaded Moderator
What is said at 0:15 in the video, although he said "power cable" while he probably meant "speaker cable".
schismatic
Kintsugi is coming
The power amp section could be in theory replaced ITB - Ownhammer's Power Amps produced for Nebula could do it, or alternatively using a VST amp sim like TSE's X50 where the preamp section can be turned off.
Follow that with your normal impulse or Nebula cab.
Can't comment on the quality you'd get however!
Does anybody happen to know whether you can do with with a Bugera? I own a 6260 combo.
Follow that with your normal impulse or Nebula cab.
Can't comment on the quality you'd get however!
Does anybody happen to know whether you can do with with a Bugera? I own a 6260 combo.
abaga129
The Apprentice
The tse x30 has the option of turning the pre amp section off right? Then you could probably just use the power amp of it before your impulse. I'm gonna try it tonight. I'll post my results 
Sloan
Sounds like shit!
there's a guy that does this with a b52 at100 and gets some good results....see youtube.
i have suggested running an amp without powertubes and no load, just using it as a preamp and getting a line out, but there was lots of backlash against the idea. it works for me.
i have suggested running an amp without powertubes and no load, just using it as a preamp and getting a line out, but there was lots of backlash against the idea. it works for me.
TRUIE
Member
Of course, the poweramp can be replaced with a VST... you can also replace the preamp with a VST sim too, you know what I mean ?
I think it's better to record the full sound of your head, so the whole preamp + poweramp thing.
But yeah, in practice you can only record the send and use a VST sim poweramp, or directly an impulse that was done with a tube poweramp.
I think it's better to record the full sound of your head, so the whole preamp + poweramp thing.
But yeah, in practice you can only record the send and use a VST sim poweramp, or directly an impulse that was done with a tube poweramp.
Trevoire520
Member
Or instead of spending "a ton of money on a load box" you could buy a couple of beefy resistors and make one yourself for next to nothing.
abaga129
The Apprentice
Here's a little test i did with my Peavey Windsor
My chain:
Barber Direct Drive > Windsor > Fx send to interface > x50 with preamp off > Recabinet > ReaEQ
Im not too happy with it but i think it definitely has a lot of potential and with an even better amp i can see it being very easy to get great results.
What do you guys think?
My chain:
Barber Direct Drive > Windsor > Fx send to interface > x50 with preamp off > Recabinet > ReaEQ
Im not too happy with it but i think it definitely has a lot of potential and with an even better amp i can see it being very easy to get great results.
What do you guys think?
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I wouldn't even bother with the x50 step. Just run the amps signal into your impulses. that should cut down on the muddiness.
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abaga129
The Apprentice
I'll look into that more but if I remember correctly, it sounded very weak before I put the power amp on
TRUIE
Member
Recabinet3 IR's are done with a solid state poweramp, so you'll definitely need some kind of poweramp (VST or not) before hiting it.
I just bought some Ownhammer Nebula poweramps (VHT 2/90/2 KT88 and Fireball 6L6) to use with my hardware guitar preamps, and they're great !
They should work well with the recorded send of an amp (but you'll need a commercial version of Nebula).
One more thing to keep in mind : try to use a DI after the send, you'll get a cleaner and more defined low end (I always do that with my guitar pres).
I just bought some Ownhammer Nebula poweramps (VHT 2/90/2 KT88 and Fireball 6L6) to use with my hardware guitar preamps, and they're great !
They should work well with the recorded send of an amp (but you'll need a commercial version of Nebula).
One more thing to keep in mind : try to use a DI after the send, you'll get a cleaner and more defined low end (I always do that with my guitar pres).
