Recording guitar with Audigy 2

inertiac

Hey - I've just read Lex Nahumury's guide to recording using DSP, so I'm wondering if anyone has an idea on the best way to record elec guitar on a Audigy ZS 2 Pro? At the moment I'm using my Line in 2 -> ASIO, but I'm finding the signal to noise ratio is pretty bad - any ideas / suggestions? Would changing the latency/buffer settings help? Also - does anyone have a .kx config file they'd recommend for recording into cubase or similar for the zs 2 platinum pro?

Thanks
Dan

dj_stick

how are you connecting the guitar? the only way to get a decent sound is to DI it.

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inertiac

Yeah I got a Behringer GI-100 (DI with a cab sim in it), so I'm doing either:

guitar -> pedals -> guitar amp -> GI100 -> line 2; or
guitar -> GI100 -> Line 2

I've found I've got more noise in the signal than I was expecting - I'm wondering if this is a hardware, driver, latency/buffer settings, or DSP setup issue. I generally like to blame the top layer, so I'm going with my DSP setup (which is probably pretty average seeing as I haven't had much KX experience yet). Any ideas?

Maddogg6

The DSP - no matter how many plugins loaded - are ALL processed for every sample cycle - so, *most of the time* - more kX DSP plugins <> more latency - with the exception of plugins that add a delay on purpose - which, compressors with 'look ahead' do have, and can significantly add to overall 'latency'.

I would say this is your way to go as the GI100 is really only a DI box - but you may consider trying:
Guitar > pedals (noise gate here somewhere) > GI100 > Line 2

Some Tips: (what equipment you have makes a huge difference on best practices)

Note: you mention high noise and I usually associate that with distortion sounds as the intent.

Particularly with distorted sounds - it can be difficult to determine what is 'intended distortion' and what is 'unintended overdriving'. So first try setting up pre-amp and effect 'gains' for a clean tone first. Then add distortion and re-check input levels to make sure your not overdriving the soundcards inputs when its turned on.

A LOT of time should be spent considering/experimenting for an optimal effects chain / gain stages for your equipment.

Don't be afraid to make a custom DSP for each project/song you record. I pretty much find this necessary to do if I want to re-mix later, otherwise I spend too much time re-figuring out how the DSP routing is supposed to be.
Its not a bad idea to save a screen shot of the DSP and the primary plugins tweak screens just in case KX changes and those configs won't load - or depends on a plugin you added that gets erased from kX upgrades (and the plugin wont work with new version of KX) You'll at least get an idea of how the kX DSP is *supposed* to be.

Normally, I MONITOR with KX delay effects as needed (sometime I need 'delay' to play some things - but dont want the delay committed in the same track as the 'dry' guitar) So - the kX DSP I configure sends DRY (pre-amp'd w/ amp/cab simulated) guitar to ASIO input to record, but I mix KX delay effect for monitoring and sent to a physical output with headphones connected.
I do little to adjust guitar level, and nothing for noise in KX DSP or in DAW.
I have that all worked out BEFORE it enters the sound card.

Note: Im not a pro but have done this as a hobby for some time now - you can listen to some of my stuff here Warning: Im self taught on everything...