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How to load and play through an impulse response (IR) on guitar

Posted on 1/13/22 at 10:21 am
Posted by Corso
Atlanta
Member since Feb 2020
11764 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 10:21 am
Does anybody have an "explain it to me like I'm 5" tutorial on how to do this for guitar? I've got a Digitech multi effects pedal and I use Audacity to record, but what I really want to do is use a specific IR like a cab sim so that I'm hearing it in real time. Some of the YouTube and written tutorials I've looked up only seem to show how to add the IR on to a previously recorded track. When I play normally I just connect the multi effect pedal to the computer, open the software, and play. I'm not even sure it's possible to add the IR to what I'm playing through the multi pedal, but I figured I'd give it a shot
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
29567 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:04 am to
What's an impulse response?
Posted by SEClint
New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR
Member since Nov 2006
49017 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:55 am to
using guitar cabinet impulse responses in your DAW

There are plenty of other tutorials on YouTube for specific IR programs. Thats where you want to research.

I started out using a program called "Kefir Impulse respone loader". It was simple once you figure it out.

LINK

There is a link on using kefir, reading the captions will help. Other than that, id need to be at your house showing you cause I have a hard time explaining shite online

Also like to boost guitars with a TS808 vst in the signal chain. Its a free vst and adds alot imo. Play around with that and add balls to your distortions.

TS808

Eta

But all this is if I'm using an amp simulator, using a Clean DI. I like to reamp shite, so I'm moving into a lot of Direct Input. Still go old school when layering guitars, I mix in DI and amp/cab recorded.

Toontrack's ezmix line has some great metal guitar options.

I wouldnt use just a digital effects pedal personally as my main source of guitar tone.. But if I did, id avoid using IR responses and just concentrate on EQ. Cutting the low at 98, and the highs at 20k for starters on rhythm guitars.
This post was edited on 1/13/22 at 3:20 pm
Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1301 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 12:48 pm to
I thought an impulse response was when that trip to Guitar Center for strings turned into a $1,000-plus charge on the Visa LOL
Posted by SEClint
New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR
Member since Nov 2006
49017 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 2:16 pm to
Well thats a reality as well lol

But what op wants to know, is about a method of home recording that people use nowadays in production.

Its basically plugging your guitar or bass into an audio interface, bypassing having to mic a cab and dial in the amp according to the room, brand of mic, etc.

I suppose its also convenient for neighbors and migraine prone girlfriends as well.

Nowadays, technology has come to a point where it mimics it very, very well. You can adjust room size, what kind of mic you want to use (or mics), what kind of cab you want(mesa OS, orange, engl, fender, Marshall, etc), dial in the amp head, tubes, etc all in the DAW. Sounds sketchy I know, but its..really fun tbh. Thats just scratching the surface of it all. I do still include a sm57 mic'd track or tracks when recording nowadays. But I've come to prefer the DI.

Here is a metal production tutorial using a lot of the things I talked about earlier. They play the finished product at the beginning. And show how to use these things.

LINK

another one by the same channel, matching the tone of Cannibal Corpse
This post was edited on 1/13/22 at 2:48 pm
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
29567 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 9:35 pm to
I have a Fishman Single coil soundhole pickup in my Takamine acoustic, that gives a more electric sound. It's good for some things, but on other songs, I would like to be able to use the same guitar, but get more of a natural acoustic sound. It's just song demos, and not finished recordings, so I just plug straight in and record. Is there an App that might be good for that? I'm using the audacity program too.
Posted by SEClint
New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR
Member since Nov 2006
49017 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:25 pm to
I despise audacity, its ok for emergencies to get a wav, but lacks where I need it.

A legit DAW (Digital audio workstation) is so much more practical, and can do everything audacity does but better. I used to use it too till I realized I could do so much more.

Programs like FL Studio, reason, logic pro etc. Are better in the long run imo. I use FL Studio nowadays, amazing for editing and mixing with what I need.
Posted by Havoc
Member since Nov 2015
33764 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:27 pm to
Oh man this is a lot to learn.

Is Reaper a good one? I’m so ignorant to all this.
Posted by SEClint
New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR
Member since Nov 2006
49017 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:38 pm to
quote:

Is Reaper a good one? I’m so ignorant to all this.

its good for its simplicity, but all the reaper plug-ins are available now as a free download for any DAW.

So you can have everything they offer, plus more. I used to download cracked versions and pirated versions of things. Till I said to myself, just buy the damn thing and stop worrying about viruses. So, I bought a PC just for music production first, the DAW came second.

Do research on DAWs for your specific needs, read feedback and watch some tutorials, etc.. when you get a quality DAW, learn as much about it as you can. The more you know, the better your songs will become in the end.

I have over a decade into FL and I'm still learning, but thats fun.

Eta

A quality audio interface is great too, that was my 3rd purchase when I got series about home recording.
This post was edited on 1/13/22 at 11:44 pm
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
29567 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:43 pm to
I appreciate your reply, and I think I may have should said "work recording" instead of "song demo". Really more of a guideplate for doing a demo in a studio. My budget is really limited right now too.
My recording area isn't nearly quiet enough to use mics. If I could do that, this Takamine sounds beautiful that way. I just have to try to find better ways to do the really simple stuff. Most of my recording is single guitar and vocal, but having that right acoustic sound can really make a big difference in how I can get the feeling across in some songs.
Posted by SEClint
New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR
Member since Nov 2006
49017 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:53 pm to
If you're just trying to get the tracks recorded then audacity is sufficient for getting things demo ready.

quote:

but having that right acoustic sound can really make a big difference in how I can get the feeling across in some songs.


Thats the thing though lol..my girlfriend will hear me working on something and liking it..whereas I'm frustrated because its not in the area where I want it to be.

I love it when it happens naturally and everything works out perfectly. But with a quality DAW, I can take an acoustic electric, plug it in and make it sound like I'm in a cave or a closet, warm or cold, add legit effects and mix in real time. Record the mix edit, so on playback the faders and knobs remember.
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
29567 posts
Posted on 1/13/22 at 11:57 pm to
quote:

Thats the thing though lol..my girlfriend will hear me working on something and liking it..whereas I'm frustrated because its not in the area where I want it to be.

I love it when it happens naturally and everything works out perfectly. But with a quality DAW, I can take an acoustic electric, plug it in and make it sound like I'm in a cave or a closet, warm or cold, add legit effects and mix in real time. Record the mix edit, so on playback the faders and knobs remember.


So I'm fricked, that's what you're telling me
Posted by SEClint
New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR
Member since Nov 2006
49017 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 12:55 am to
No, you're in a better position than I was. You'll pay 5x less than I did for way better programs when you get ready.

Question is, how satisfied are you with what you have? If it works for what you are doing, then that's cool..but, if you want more there are steps to take which can get you there.

I mean, this was my first ever recording studio lol

Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
29567 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 1:09 am to
quote:

I mean, this was my first ever recording studio lol


That was a technological marvel and upgrade when I finally got one, and I got some pretty good demos off of it back then. Before that I used a radio shack cassette recorder in my closet to record my guitar parts, then I had a dual cassette panasonic that had a mic mix in, I would take the guitar tape from the radio shack recorder and use the panasonic to mix vocals in on another tape. Hard times, but it seemed that I got truer feel, or maybe I just wasn't as picky. Nobody else was either. Back in the 80s I would hit all the record companies and publishers on music row in Nashville on a regular basis handing out those demos, and they would take them and even really listen sometimes.
The computer stuff just doesn't seem as natural though.
I have a Tascam DP-008 digital recorder that I can get a more natural sound with, but the hurdles that I have to go through to get recordings sharable made that a bad deal.

I think what I finally have to do is accept that just thinking about writing songs isn't going to cut it, I'm going to have to get thinking in more of an artist frame of mind, even though that's not my goal.
This post was edited on 1/14/22 at 1:49 am
Posted by Noctyr
Member since Nov 2021
46 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 8:29 am to
Yes Reaper is a fantastic DAW. I jumped ship from Pro Tools and never looked back to be honest. You then need to download an IR loader. Place your amp in front of the IR in the signal chain. If you are using newer plugins like Neural DSP, for instance, the IR can be loaded directly from the cabinet section of the plugin. It even comes with stand alone versions so you don’t have to load the amp sim in your DAW if you just want to jam.
Posted by rexorotten
Missouri
Member since Oct 2013
4572 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 8:34 am to
I'm guessing your pedal doesn't have the ability to load IRs into it?
Posted by wareaglepete
Lumon Industries
Member since Dec 2012
14209 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 8:55 am to
Have you checked into any of the Two Notes Audio stuff? Lots of people seem to love their cab sims and IRs. I have one of their preamp/DI pedals and when my signal goes to FOH it uses a cab sim of an Ampeg fridge. It is pretty cool.
Posted by Stan Switek
Member since Apr 2017
459 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 11:32 am to
quote:

I have a Fishman Single coil soundhole pickup in my Takamine acoustic, that gives a more electric sound. It's good for some things, but on other songs, I would like to be able to use the same guitar, but get more of a natural acoustic sound. It's just song demos, and not finished recordings, so I just plug straight in and record. Is there an App that might be good for that? I'm using the audacity program too.


Some companies make IRs to make an acoustic guitar sound like it's recorded with a mic. One that I know of is Worship Tutorials. They have a free demo pack if you can find a program within your DAW to upload the IRs to: Worship Tutorials IRs. There are others out there if you look around (free ones also). I don't have any first-hand knowledge of using these however.
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27398 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 11:44 am to
quote:

thought an impulse response was when that trip to Guitar Center for strings turned into a $1,000-plus charge on the Visa LOL


Oh crap. When Fret Shack makes a joke instead of a concise answer. I know it is obscure and will always be above my head.
Posted by Corso
Atlanta
Member since Feb 2020
11764 posts
Posted on 1/14/22 at 11:58 am to
quote:

I'm guessing your pedal doesn't have the ability to load IRs into it?


A lot of great responses I'll look into. No my pedal is older and doesn't have that. I just discovered yesterday that newer pedals including the newer version of mine allows you to load IRs, that'll probably be my next step but the newer version just doesn't function as well as mine. I definitely know Audacity is rough and I'll probably commit to Reaper at some point but right now I'm just playing with layering heavy rhythm tracks.

The specific IR I'm looking at is a Metallica Black Album IR, and it is absolutely spot on. The way the guy uses it is pretty simple, he just loads an amp plug in, puts all the knobs at noon, then adds the IR to the tracks and it's a dead on perfect match. There are a ton of album IRs out there for a lot of bands and it'd be amazing just play through live and record in real time. Playing a track then adding the IR afterwards is no fun

I'll look at more of the links in this thread
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