Im using the Pushed20 W factory preset.
It sounds like trash. What am I doing wrong?
I recorded on Garageband. All garageband plugins off. Going Am Fender Strat in to input then send 1 out to Scarlett 2i2 with the input gain all the way down and instrument on.
Doesn’t sound that bad to me. What were you expecting?
Also, why using the send output into the Scarlett using the instrument preamp, and not the pain line out of the QC into the Scarlett using line level gain?
And last thing, why not using directly the QC in USB to record ?
Try turning the noise gate off and changing the CAB
Sounds alright to me, hearing the click though doesn’t help.
Make sure you are not clipping the input of the audio interface, that adds some harsh noise, I thought I could hear some but with the click on I’m not sure.
Yeah, I think the click is clipping actually.
Why are you not using the main balanced output of the QC into one of the line inputs on the Scarlett? That would be much better for level purposes and keeping noise down using the balanced connection.
Maybe my expectations were too high. Idk it does not at all sound like a cranked 20w amp in my opinion. Sounds muddy. If I heard that on a production produced track I’d say they recorded it subpar.
QC > USB > Garageband sounded pretty much the same. Was facing some sound latency with this method oddly enough.
Did you try to adjust the settings of the blocks or did you just used the default preset settings?
Your telling me I would see a significant benefit in tone if I just change to using the QC as an interface?
Yea I have spent maybe 4 hours tweaking the settings. It always sounds nothing like what I hear people play on youtube. Not even close to the quality.
https://youtu.be/hLNiSs2N_Rk?t=216 Reference
It is. Apologies.
Did you try this particular preset you are referencing to?
Doesn’t sound terrible to me, but not great either. However, there are too many variables already. Try using the QC as standalone first:
That way you should be able to quickly get some good sounds out of it. Once you have some good sounds, put the QC back into your setup and go from there.
Sound is always subjective so if the QC always sounds bad to you, then it might not be for you. But I think that is very unlikely. Keep in mind that the QC is used by many people, including professionals. So if everything sounds shitty you either have a faulty unit or you are doing something wrong. The latter most likely is the case as it mostly is with new gear / tech.
Don’t use send 1. Instead use either the the XLR (I use out1/L) or use the 1/4" out3/L. You should have zero problems running it like that with your Focusrite. I have the exact same set up for recording with the 2i2. 0 issues and sounds amazing. Good luck!
Are these people playing the QC too? What 20w combo do you have in mind when you compare the sound? Also produced track might have a lot of EQing and other production trick applied after the recording
This does not sound trash or terrible in any sensible way. QC sound amazing, since I got mine i use it for probably 99 percent of my tones, and the only way I earn money is composing and producing music.
As others mentioned, try using Out 3/L into the 2i2. That is what I do with mine and it sounds great. Just make sure you got the input levels sorted out for that particular guitar and that you don’t have the input gain on the 2i2 too high (I have mine to ever so slightly flash yellow on heavy strums). I have direct monitor on and run into a pair of 5" JBL monitors. Sounds great.
Also sounds the same if I turn off direct monitor on the 2i2 and run the USB signal into a DAW on my Mac.
Sounds like you are clipping in your audio track. Also not sure why your click track is audible in the recording. That’s also part of the issue maybe.
open EQ section of the cab/IR block and set hi pass around 80hz and low pass around 8000hz which should un-mud the sound, it’s the same with anything digital going direct.
if you’re boosting input gain from the I/O screen turn it down or to 0db and use gain block/drives instead
Get rid of the noise gate at the input. If you need a noise gate, use one in the first block. The input noise gate kills tone and doesn’t work correctly in my opinion. Even on the lowest setting, it cuts the guitar signal drastically and removes sustain.
