# Drive Pedal Captures

**URL:** <https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170>\
**Category:** Quad Cortex\
**Created:** [December 26, 2022, 2:48am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170 "2022-12-26T02:48:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dbbude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@dbbude](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/dbbude)\
**Post date:** [December 26, 2022, 2:48am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170/1 "2022-12-26T02:48:03Z")

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Hi,  
I have captured several pedals and found that the gain comes out hotter in most of them. Pedals used include boost, overdrive and distortion. None of them are “dimed” to max out distortion levels.

The Input 1 levels at the time of capture are below the red line but I am wondering if I should aim for an even lower value. I usually use P90’s or single coils. Is it helpful to use hotter pickups when trying to choose capture tones on the pedal or levels on the QC?

Thanks for any help.

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**Author:** ![MP\_Mod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@MP\_Mod](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/MP_Mod)\
**Post date:** [December 26, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170/2 "2022-12-26T18:58:13Z")

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You would have to find the sweet spot for input and capture levels. It’s different for every amp/pedal but works perfectly when it’s dialed in.

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**Author:** ![dbbude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@dbbude](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/dbbude)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170/3 "2022-12-27T18:37:13Z")

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I had some more time today and think I have it figured out!  
The other thing I needed to use was “save new parameters” when A/B’ing versus the actual pedal.  
Captured a bunch this am.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![jamsden](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/jamsden/32/1607_2.png) [@jamsden](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/jamsden)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170/4 "2022-12-27T23:23:41Z")

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To capture a pedal, put the pedal in your signal chain and set its controls to get the tone you want in that context. The capture the pedal with the capture gain set to 9dB so that the capture has the same gain and volume as the pedal did in the signal chain where you set it up. The capture should reproduce the pedal settings in that context.

Note that if you use the capture block in a different context, with different blocks before or after, it will sound different. This isn’t necessarily bad, but might not be what you expect. You have limited control over the gain and tone of a capture after you’ve created the capture. See [Capture Techniques - Quad Cortex Wiki](https://quadcortex.wiki/Capture_Techniques) for additional details.

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**Author:** ![ft777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/47e85d/32.png) [@ft777](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/ft777)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170/5 "2023-05-12T17:44:17Z")

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Can I check if IN 2 should be set to 9db as mentioned? The Wiki seems to state 0db.

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**Author:** ![jamsden](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/jamsden/32/1607_2.png) [@jamsden](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/jamsden)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2023, 11:33am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/drive-pedal-captures/9170/6 "2023-05-15T11:33:07Z")

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Yes it should be 0dB that’s a typo above.