1 Topic by Observer200 (edited by Observer200 2024-09-28 11:07:56)

  • Registered: 2021-12-18
  • Posts: 30

Topic: Input Level For Amps Through XLR?

Hello,

My amp Ironball SE has XLR IR Output, I plug it into microphone input on Babyface.
I am wondering if I should keep the input gain level at lowest and only use amps master levels to crank up the signal, or use the input gain on Totalmix only a little bit?
I don't want to get any distortion when I up the mic gain signal on the interface, but then amp only sounds loud enough when I crank up the master knob to the highest position.

Or should I find a balance in-between?

Does that mean so, that as long as my signal is not clipping using the mic input gain level, it won't cause any distortion on the sound at all?

Thanks.

Cheers

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-09-28 12:39:48)

  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
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Re: Input Level For Amps Through XLR?

I am using my UFX III as parallel effect loop for my two marshall combos.
From one amps Preamp out (Effects Send) into the UFX III.
This is the sound of the preamp section of the amps.

From the UFX III
- to Effects Return to the power amp section of both amps (stereo setup).
- to the Lexicon PCM 81 or 91 and also back to Effects Return of the power amp section of both amps (L + R)

For my demands of recording at bedroom level I found out, that the amp can sound too harsh if I am sending too much volume back to the power amp .. of course I also need to be careful as the pure amp signal and the FX are adding up.

But even then I found, that I get sweeter sounding results when doing both
a) recording the amps preamp signal not close to 0dB
b) reducing the volume a little bit which I send directly back to the power amp
Sometimes it is better to reduce volume there and to make the amps a little bit louder.

In short (I only wanted to tell why I came to this conclusion in my setup) also for your setup you should experiment and balance. Most important is to not overload any input. Trust your ears.

Make some recordings, because it is not easy to remember a sound exactly.
Also take care to "normalize" the volume across the different takes so that it is exactly the same.
Louder still sounds better for our ears (therefore the "loudness war").

The Line Out signals of my older Marshalls (Direct Out and Record Compensated Out)
do not sound so well. Therefore I prefer to record/mic the amps at bedroom level.
Another alternative for me is to use SGear3 amp plugin which has (with the new yellow distortion pedal) a phantastic marshall plexi sound. Works nicely in combination with the Lexicon PCM FX.
Listen to demo tracks: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … iii-en-de/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2021-12-18
  • Posts: 30

Re: Input Level For Amps Through XLR?

Hello Ramses! Thanks for the help.
I will listen to these, is this a post belongs to you recorded with your Les Paul's?
Where can we see your recordings, or your amps?
Photos/videos etc.?
Great. Loving Marshall's, as well!
Cheers

ramses wrote:

I am using my UFX III as parallel effect loop for my two marshall combos.
From one amps Preamp out (Effects Send) into the UFX III.
This is the sound of the preamp section of the amps.

From the UFX III
- to Effects Return to the power amp section of both amps (stereo setup).
- to the Lexicon PCM 81 or 91 and also back to Effects Return of the power amp section of both amps (L + R)

For my demands of recording at bedroom level I found out, that the amp can sound too harsh if I am sending too much volume back to the power amp .. of course I also need to be careful as the pure amp signal and the FX are adding up.

But even then I found, that I get sweeter sounding results when doing both
a) recording the amps preamp signal not close to 0dB
b) reducing the volume a little bit which I send directly back to the power amp
Sometimes it is better to reduce volume there and to make the amps a little bit louder.

In short (I only wanted to tell why I came to this conclusion in my setup) also for your setup you should experiment and balance. Most important is to not overload any input. Trust your ears.

Make some recordings, because it is not easy to remember a sound exactly.
Also take care to "normalize" the volume across the different takes so that it is exactly the same.
Louder still sounds better for our ears (therefore the "loudness war").

The Line Out signals of my older Marshalls (Direct Out and Record Compensated Out)
do not sound so well. Therefore I prefer to record/mic the amps at bedroom level.
Another alternative for me is to use SGear3 amp plugin which has (with the new yellow distortion pedal) a phantastic marshall plexi sound. Works nicely in combination with the Lexicon PCM FX.
Listen to demo tracks: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … iii-en-de/

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-09-28 17:41:23)

  • ramses
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Re: Input Level For Amps Through XLR?

I do them only for my own pleasure.
But you can listen to two other examples here.
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … -DURec-DE/

Example 1: own song with old analog gear, guitar sound much according to Midiverb 3 FX unit
Example 2: overdub with Les Paul, amp, mic'd

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14