Do you Mic Amp or Use IRs?

Quad Cortex
1

What way do you prefer to get your tone, mic an amp or use a direct capture with IRs?
I have some amps that I have captured both ways and when I mic the amps, it sounds very close to the original, but there is something in the midrange missing., they sound scooped.
I have tried using multiple mics through a mixer as well as just an sm57 direct into the QC.
There are so many variables like mic placement and mic balance.
I have also tried direct captures with IRs. They don’t sound as much like the amp, but they sound more balanced, and then again there are so many variables and so many IRs.
What do you find is the best way to get your tone, both dirty and clean?

P.S. Here’s a tip.
To get a direct capture you don’t need to get a load box.
You can use an active direct box that will handle speaker level.
If you put it between your amp and speaker, you can take the XLR jack out direct into the QC.
It won’t be silent, but neither is micing a speaker.

2

How does that work exactly? Do you have some examples (product-wise)? Id be paranoid trying that. Lol.

I generally prefer/choose a piecemeal approach. DI capture plus IR. But theres no formula other than if it sounds good it is good approach.

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3

I use IR and my amp captures for FOH and my amp (4CM) for my sound on stage. I control the volume on stage with a volume block. I use stereo to send right for FOH and left for stage.

4

I’m surprised the Two Notes Torpedo Captor and Captor X aren’t more popular among QC users who want to capture their amps.

I had a Torpedo Captor with my tube amp and the D.I. output on it was super useful for recording. I can only imagine how great it would be pairing with a QC. I sold my tube amp to fund my Quad Cortex, so unfortunately I can’t confirm if this is the case.

Definitely look into this badass piece of gear, though:

TwoNotes TorpedoCaptor 1

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5

I use the two notes and it’s perfect.

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6

People have been doing this for over 30 years live to send a signal to FOH instead of mixing an amp. A lot of these direct boxes even have speaker simulators .
The direct box goes between the amp and the speaker and has a switch for line level/amp level. The amp performs normally, but now you have a line out from the power amp that can go direct to a mixer or QC.
Make sure to turn off the speaker simulation and you will get the direct sound of the amp.

7

@Mick8187 to revisit this talking point… when using a DI (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RNDI--rupert-neve-designs-rndi-1-channel-active-instrument-direct-box) between the amp and cabinet for the express purpose of capturing the amp, do you think this method would be better/worse/or the same as capturing an amp using the xlr “DI out” of an amplifier.

8

I think it would be better than using a line out because that is taken from just the pre amp. Using a direct box, the signal is taken from the power amp. It should be the same as using a load box with the exception that a load box can be silent. With a direct box a speaker load must be connected

9

Thnx. That RNDI, that caught my attention, handles 1000w, so it’ll handle anything i can throw at it. atleast it wont break the bank.