Keyboard + Amp Simulation Software

[DoubleBlade]

Hi people,

Correct if I'm wrong but here are my observations with reference to plugging a synth (controller) hooked up to an amp simulation software (Amplitube 3, Guitar Rig 4 etc) running behind it.

1) My keyboard signal does not react well with the software. In terms of there's not much of a difference if I were add in a trainload of pedal/rack effects as compared to not having any effects well. They just sound almost the same.

2) My keyboard signal isn't that strong as compared to that of a guitar. I can't seem to get that "punch factor" when recording. I'm recording heavy metal music with keyboards by the way.

3) No matter how much I suppress the buzzing and other unwanted background signals via noise gate etc, I still can hear lots of buzzing.

4) I can't seem get my desired output volume. The volume output is just too "soft" for the kind of music I'm recording.

5) Last thing is that the pedal/rack effects sound a little too "fake" to me when emulating my synth signal to sound like a guitar. But I'm certain this not the software's fault because it's a guitar/amp simulation software after all. It's supposed to sound as realistic as possible.

The reason why I'm using a synth controller to record guitar parts is because I'm not a guitarist and I need to record guitar parts without the hassle of outsourcing for guitarist.

Hope to hear from you people soon!

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

imho, guitar rig and amplitude might not be able to help much for your needs, as the program itself meant to see guitar signal and thru the processing, to get guitar sound as if its withreal amp and such.

With synth input, the sound input is still pretty much a synth and not a guitar.

Another way which might work slightly better, is to use midi controller with vsti like applied acoustic system strum electric or musiclab LPC/real strat. Thru proper playing on the midi controller, it can sound much like real geetar playing. Theres videos on youtube as well for the LPC series, might like to check those out and hear the result.

In this way, instead of using synth with its own synth sound engine, you can just use midi to trigger the guitar vsti, do midi sequencing and arrangement within daw and further process it with program like guitar rig or amplitude, it might have a better result.

 

[DoubleBlade]

Nice....I will try out your method. Thanks

 

[blueprintstudios]

firstly, let us know what DAW , computer specs (mac/pc) , audio interface, gear etc that's related.

i doubt it's going to work having your keyboard signal > amp/cab simulators. like you said , the keyboard (assuming you're using some synth sound module) has no "percussive" element or that realism element of guitar strings vibrating and picked up by guitar pups. like what patheinraindropmoe said your best shot would be using some kind of guitar VSTi, that plays a "real guitar sampled" on the midi note you're playing.

the noise can either be caused by your audio interface or your poor gain settings on the ampcabsimulation or poor grounding on your room , check the cables for poor connection as well. fluorescent lights also don't do well with cables.

if your desired output volume from your keyboard is too soft , you may need an additional preamp (which backs to the question again what audio interface you're using etc)

on your 5) expectations, as long as you're using "software" there still is no way in today's current technology to replicate the sound of an amp blasting and miked up by a dynamic mic etc. and in your situation, you can expect nothing more except disappointment because you're using a synth controller sound module to emulate a guitar replacement.

so yep, guitar VSTi or guitar loops sample libraries. something from bigfishaudio or something

and you're not utilizing your SST (social studio technology) lol , you play in a metal band yourself , wouldn't it be more efficient to just get your band members guitarists to play it for you?

 

[DoubleBlade]

These are my specs:

Interface - NI Audio Kontrol 1

DAW - Cubase 5

Macbook Pro 2.4Ghz , 4GB DDR3 RAM

_________

Well I tried using the MIDI method via guitar VSTi. Got a better guitar emulated sound but of course it still nowhere near the sound of an authentic electric guitar sound.

 

[blueprintstudios]

yeah then that should be it. your specs are good enough. you solved the buzzing issue yet? do post up samples for us to check it out

 

[DoubleBlade]

After using the MIDI method, I've got a better emulated guitar tone but then again like what you said, nothing beats the feel and tone of a real electric guitar.

As for the buzzing issue, it has decreased significantly after using the MIDI method.

 

[kongwee]

I think the cable connect may be the problem. If the buzzing is irregular, the fault mostly like to be to the cable. Switch cable if you have extra on hand

 

[blueprintstudios]

guess you're all good to go then hehe. best of luck!

 

[DoubleBlade]

Kongwee, Yeah I also had that thought about faulty cables. I will try using another cable to test if irregular buzzing still occurs.

 

[kongwee]

Ok. Run the MBP without power adaptor to see the buzzing occur first. Thenyou power socket have ground. Those equipment with ground pin like studio monitor( I think MBP adaptor too), must properly grounded(three pin). Of cos, some equipment like audio interface have no ground so leave it.