Opinions for best steel direct results

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 18 Feb 2011 6:15 am

Okay, to start with, I'm DP 7, meaning I have the gtr processors that come with 7. I also have an old line6 Pod Pro & a newer X3 live. So far the X3 live gives me the best results.
I'm wanting to get back to steel & start doing sessions here. I don't want to lay out a bunch of $$ for processing equipment. But my main concern is the hotter steel pickup & how to control it. I have the MOTU Z-box but I don't notice any improvement though I haven't plugged a steel into it yet. So I'm wondering if there's some kind of buffer that will not color the steel pickup yet keep it from clipping. Years ago I did a session somewhere else using my Derby with an E-66 thru the old Pod Pro, didn't clip, sound was dark but acceptable. Just stating I have been down the pike a time or two on this.
So without throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I need opinions on how to keep the hotter steel pickups under control without losing tone.
Also, has anyone tried the award session jd10 for steel?
Thankew!

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 18 Feb 2011 10:18 pm

Rex I go several ways...If I'm in my own studio I know what I'm looking for tone wise so I run through a profex for EQ. I turn each individual Q volume down to like 20% That way I can run the volume pedal hotter and open my pickups without distorting. In Pro tools I have noticed that my little V-amp (POD wanna be) is very good too. If I'm in some one elses studio I don't leave it to them. I run out of the tube pre amp of my Evans RE 200. In the digital media tube is my favorite enhancement...

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 19 Feb 2011 6:20 am

Basically Scott, by just saying "volume down" you got a message across that had been getting away from me. I'd been observing other sound people make this mistake, but I miss the point since I'm home studio since I have (basically) the same access. & that lesson is "SET THE GAINS & LEAVE 'EM ALONE!!!" In other engineers' case, they'll mix with the gains which really is wrong. (topic for another thread) In my case I fail to remember to tweak the "trim" which is "gain" on the interface from inst. to inst. or mic sometimes.

Now like you DP has gains on the amps, cabinets, mics, etc. as well as my X3 which the gain(s) are easier to find (& I know I'm preaching to the choir). But where I'm going to drop the ball is if I go thru DP's processors & not remember to tweak the dang initial trim/gain 1st, THEN start digging in & looking for "supersound". I go S/PDIF with the X3 so the trim doesn't apply.

And yeah, I agree that some kind of tube enhancement should take place since I want to try the DP processors 1st. I'm going to try a Groove Tubes "The Brick" since I've got access to those.

You're doing it right, Scott. My case is I'm jumping back in, & I don't want to lay out more $$ for gear when I'm already covered & start throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Thankew, Scott!!

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 25 Feb 2011 12:21 pm

For recording my Fender Stringmaster, I've been runing the guitar thru the VP and then into a cheapo ART TubePre to give it a bit of warmth and to use it as a DI with the XLR out. Then into an Avid MBOX Pro. I record it dry and add stuff with plug-in's. That way I'm not locked-in too much to what was recorded and have more enhancement options.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 27 Feb 2011 8:25 am

You're so right about the set and leave em alone. I did a session last year in a big studio and noticed on the computer screen my levels were virtually non existant but they sounded just like I wanted them too. Yeah I would agree that most engineers want to get in the red and don't leave you a lot of head room. By accident I've learned a little about the psyche' of the engineer...LOL I usually ask them to mike my amp. I carry a very small but powerful Evans RE 200...I sound check with the volume pedal all the way down so they get the red line real quick. hehehehehe Then we usually don't have a problem because in their minds they think I'm a high volume player so when I play softer they are comfortable. Rex I think you're good with the old POD. In Pro tools I haven't been real impressed with their tube simulators for steel. sound great for guitar but not much for steel. In my own studio I feel it isn't important to get that optimum level on initial recording. It's too easy to enhance it in the post mix. (normalize, gain, etc) So I work on making my ears comfortable with my tone in the phones/speakers. Tom I love the little ART tube pre amps whole lot of tone for 99.00!!!I use it on a lot of things from vocals to a mic pre for a fiddle. IT's cool!!!
Sounds great on my old Magnatone too...
Happy recordings

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 28 Feb 2011 8:26 pm

Scott: GOOD insight on steering around those gain happy engineers. And I agree totally with recording way down in the green as there are tons of plug-ins/enhancements that pull the signal up. And yeah, the POD's got it all, & it's a lot easier to keep track of gains/levels. And truth be known the POD has a better cabinet selection compared to MOTU.

Scott & Tom: Yep! I'm definitely going to grab at least one of those ART tube DI's for the home studio, can't beat that. Only reason I mentioned "the brick" is because I've got access to one or two though they're discontinued. But yeah, the ART DI is definitely on the ol' grocery list.

MANY THANKS!!

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 1 Mar 2011 12:54 pm

I hear the ART TubePre serves as a great DI for bass guitar too.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 1 Mar 2011 1:54 pm

Most definately.. I have an upright player who doesn't go anywhere without it.

Jason Hull · Post by **Jason Hull** » 5 Mar 2011 10:02 am

Tracking "in the red" is a holdover from analog recording. Some engineers are having trouble adapting to digital recording, wherein clipping is disastrous!

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 5 Mar 2011 3:34 pm

My books say to stay away from (as in WELL BELOW) 0dB w/digital gear. In video editing they recommend max at 6 dB down, to allow for required headroom.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 6 Mar 2011 7:42 am

I agree. Keep in mind once tracks are laid the recording still has to go through effects, enhancement, and mastering.

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 9 Mar 2011 4:12 pm

I use a "Red Square" Direct box to feed the signal from my steel into the recorder. It has volume, Treble and Bass controls and can be used active or passive. It gives a totally clean transparent sound, and then during playback I can add effects (reverb/delay etc.)

http://www.google.com/products?q=rolls+ ... e+di&hl=en

Dom

The Steel Guitar Forum

Opinions for best steel direct results

Opinions for best steel direct results

Wake up call......

steel direct? I go pretty dry

Good stuff!!