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1951 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Nov 15, 2011 2:32 AM by Goochster RSS
Goochster Just Startin'
Goochster
38 posts since
Feb 18, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 22, 2011 9:20 AM

Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

Hi

 

I'm new to the forum and have recently purchased a Spider Valve 112 mkII, and would like to get into home recording and am looking for some advice on the best way of going about it.

 

I'm assuming the easiest and cheapest way would be to go from the direct out on my amp to the line in (mic) socket on my PC using an XLR to 3.5mm jack cable but suspect there would be severe latency issues with my PC's in built sound. Another way I assume would be to purchase a usb sound card and connect the amp's direct out to the sound card and then sound card into USB.

 

I know I'll need to purchase some sort of home recording software like cakewalk to record and mix my tracks but what I really need to now is the best way of getting my tones into the PC for recording/mixing etc.

 

To be honest I'm a total recording noob so if anyone can lend me the benefit of their knowledge on the best way to go abou this I would be very grateful.

 

Many thanks!

  • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
    Rowbi
    7,745 posts since
    Nov 25, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 22, 2011 10:15 AM (in response to Goochster)
    Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

    welcome.

     

    you are correct that your built in sound card would likely give you high latency.  in itself that's not an issue if you're only recording your guitar track, but if you want to jam to a backing track that's playing on your PC, and record to that, you'll find it's a pain, although still doable.

     

    something like the POD Studio UX1 would work well, as you can connect the DI direct to the mic input on the UX1.

     

    that said, you may fine there's a larger range of tones available in POD Farm 2, which is free with the POD Studio UX1.  you can also buy tone upgrades with model packs... do a bit more research on that though before you buy, as there's lots more to it.

     

    as for a recording package, some are easier to use than others, and a good one to get you started is riffworks T4 (google it) that's more of a looper with drum backing tracks.  or Reaper is a full DAW, and is very cheap.  something like $60 for a full license (if you don't make a lot of money from your music that is).

     

    there's lots of info about that already around so do some googling.

     

    also come back with any specific questions.

     

    Rowbi

    • Goochster Just Startin'
      Goochster
      38 posts since
      Feb 18, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 22, 2011 2:45 PM (in response to Rowbi)
      Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

      Hi Rowbi. Thanks for your reply.

       

      If I was to use something from the Pod studio range (UX1, UX2 or UX8) wouldn't this be a case of me bypassing my amp altogether and plugging my guitar straight into the pod (Guitar>Pod Studio>USB onPC) because I would be able to use pod farm for all my effects processing/amp modelling? In doing that wouldn't it defeat the object of using the direct out on my amp which has all the amp models and effects built in already?

       

      I was thinking more along the lines of buying a suitable usb sound card and then going Guitar>Amp>Direct Out>Sound Card>USB on PC. I just thought although the Pod Studio is a good option I thought it would be better to take advantage of what my amp has to offer and use that perhaps substituting the Pod Studio device for a cheaper sound card solution? I don't know is that a feasable option? Would a half decent sound card be much cheaper than the Pod studio option? Or perhaps I'm not getting the big picture here?

       

      I'm not interested in miking my amp although I suspect that's how many people do it. I'm just looking for a cost effective way of getting some backing tracks recorded at a half decent quality.

       

      Sorry, like I said the home recording thing is new to me and so thanks for the advice so far. It is appreciated.

      • Goochster Just Startin'
        Goochster
        38 posts since
        Feb 18, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 23, 2011 6:44 AM (in response to Goochster)
        Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

        After doing some further digging I think the UX1 might be the right thing for me. However I would like to record from my amp rather than bypassing it altogether and plugging straight in to the UX1. So if I were to use the direct out on my SV where would I plug in on the UX1? There are left and right line input sockets. I'm assuming the SV outputs in mono so could I choose either? Also by doing this how would my track appear on my multi tracking software (Cakewalk etc) ? Would it appear as a mono track or would the software duplicate it?

         

        Sorry if these are noob questions. I just want to know that I'm buying the right thing.

        • nprenger Just Startin'
          nprenger
          82 posts since
          Jul 25, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 23, 2011 6:54 PM (in response to Goochster)
          Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

          You would connect the direct out on your amp to the mic input on the UX1 using a standard microphone cable. The UX1 should eliminate any latency issues because its headphone jack monitors your playing without having to be processed by your computer first. I have the UX2 and have had good results both using the direct out and using a microphone.

           

          Your signal would probably be recorded in mono since that's how it will come out of the amp, but most recording programs will allow you to split it into left and right sides if that's what you want to do.

           

          nprenger

          • Goochster Just Startin'
            Goochster
            38 posts since
            Feb 18, 2010
            Currently Being Moderated
            Mar 24, 2011 4:36 AM (in response to nprenger)
            Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

            Thanks nprenger. That clears up all my questions for now. I'm definitely going for a UX1.

            • Goochster Just Startin'
              Goochster
              38 posts since
              Feb 18, 2010
              Currently Being Moderated
              Nov 11, 2011 4:19 AM (in response to Goochster)
              Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

              Sorry to revive this thread but I have another question. I'm definitely getting a UX1 or maybe UX2 for crimbo and I intend to use the direct out from my Spider Valve MKII 112 into the UX1 and then into my laptop.

               

              The only other dilemma I have now is whether my pc speakers will be up to the job to work as decent monitors? I currently have Logitech X-210 2.1 speakers. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-970191-0120-X-210-Speakers-2-1/dp/B000BZD1ZK

               

              Would they be up to it or should I go for something like this?

               

              http://www.andertons.co.uk/active-monitors/pid12829/cid738/alesis-m1-active-320-monitors-pair.asp

               

              Or perhaps I should be using something entirely different?

               

              Can some of you recording experts help me out please?

              • Goochster Just Startin'
                Goochster
                38 posts since
                Feb 18, 2010
                Currently Being Moderated
                Nov 14, 2011 9:20 AM (in response to Goochster)
                Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

                Is there anyone that can help with the question in my previous post?

                • SSstormtrooper Just Startin'
                  SSstormtrooper
                  94 posts since
                  Jan 19, 2011
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  Nov 14, 2011 10:53 AM (in response to Goochster)
                  Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

                  Does the little Logitech system sound good? If so then they will be okay for a moderate volume level for monitoring.But if you're going to cheat and start cranking the volume then I'd say a larger speaker set-up might be better.

                   

                  For a small bedroom setup I have an old set of B&W 200 series bookshelf speakers with a Pioneer Elite Home Theater amp and it does the trick nicely.Also a good set of AKG headphones.Old Kef speakers downstairs.Excellent big B&W in the Home Theater system,of course the bigger more expensive ones are great but the small ones are fantastic for lower level listening/monitoring as well.

                   

                  Paradigm Titans are a great bookshelf speaker as are their older micro series.George Martin(Beatles producer) used big behemoth B&W Matrix 801's for studio monitoring.If money is tight I'd stick with the Logitech for now.I have an old Altec Lansing all-in-one thing hooked to another laptop in another room and it sounds really good.

                   

                  But if you want a richer,fuller sound I'd go with the powered Alesis or some Tannoy or similar specifically designed studio monitors.Or you could also go with an old 2 channel stereo amp and speakers as mentioned above.

                   

                  One good thing about the Alesis is that they are magnetically shielded whereas some full range home theater speakers aren't(some are,alot of bookshelf size are).

                   

                  I hate to be all over the map but their are so many different choices and possibilites.

                  • Goochster Just Startin'
                    Goochster
                    38 posts since
                    Feb 18, 2010
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    Nov 15, 2011 2:32 AM (in response to SSstormtrooper)
                    Re: Recording with Spider Valve 112 mkII

                    Thanks again SSstormtrooper.

                     

                    I think you've answered it. The Logitech's I currrently have are just standard 2.1 PC speakers. I was just making sure there was nothing radically wrong with my setup that might cause a problem. As it is I think I will stick with them for now and see what happens.

                     

                    Thanks dude !

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