Re: battery-driven Mic PreAmp? - Roland MicroCube

["Krispen Hartung" <khartung@cableone.net>]

Quick update. I did another experiement. I ran direct form the MicroCube 
record out into my lapop. It sounds just as good, and with less hiss from 
the speaker.  I use the Black Face amp sim setting with the tone at about 
9:00, and gain all the way up. I adjusted the main volume to taste to 
generae a good level on my internal ThinkPad soundcard. I like to ajudst 
it 
so that the mic level on my internal soundcard is at the lowest setting, 
and 
then adjust the MicroCube ouput to as close to redline as possible.

Now, if Roland just made the MicroCube without the speaker and in a small 
box, that would be ideal. But the nice thing is that when I go to a show, 
I 
have the amp as a backup there at all time. If my notebook blows up, I can 
just hook up my RC2 to the amp and do some basic looping.

Kris

----- Original Message ----- 

> ----- Original Message ----- >
>
>> I'm just thinking - were you also fantasizing about the mobile Roland 
>> MicroCube / RC-2 combination? ;-)
>> Got the MicroCube and I'm very happy with it ;-)
>
> Yes, I have both the MicroCube and RC-2 as my backup system.  Great duo.
>
> BUT, I have recently tried an experiment. As some of you know, I have 
>been 
> struggling to find a decent VST or software amp simulator or preamp that 
> really makes the guitar sound like it should before going into the 
>laptop. 
> I have the acoustic guitar and mandolin figured out (LR Baggs para 
> acoustic DI pre-amp)...it's a beautiful sound. It is the solid body 
> electric guitar with it's seemingly lifeless and dry direct sound that 
>is 
> the issue. The electric guitar and amp with mic seem to be a match made 
>in 
> audio heaven, evolving together.
>
> I have had no luck. I'm sure the really expensive amp simulators are 
> great, but the problem is that they require too many CPU 
> resources....plus, I feel they still aren't that convincing in terms of 
> matching the sound of an amp wit an amp. Nothing has convinced me 
> thoroughly yet. I may be able to hear a good simulation of a real amp, 
>but 
> the "feel" is never there.
>
> So....after some discussion with Lucio this last weekend for our show, 
>he 
> suggested I might plug into my MicroCube, mic it, and then run into my 
> laptop. The think the result is quite amazing. I know that Lucio is a 
>big 
> fan of this tiny amp. In fact, he used it at the 2nd Boise Experimental 
> Music Festival. We put a mic on it and ran it through a monster 
> PA....outstanding. It sounded as good or better than him using my 
> expensive Mesa Boogie Mark I the prior festival.
>
> Has anyone else tried this? Mic your MicroCube (no effects, just amp 
>sim) 
> and run directly into your laptop. Then do all your normal processing. 
> Tell me what you think.
>
> Kris
>
>
>>
>