Good home recording from a DigiTech Vx400?

[gavink]

would something like this get me a decent recording? Good enough to submit to listings? Looking to mic up and write some acoustic instrumentals. I don't think the DigiTech Vx400 is still on the market but is there something else similar out there and can do the job?Thanks.

[t4mh]

Not sure what a Vx400 is. I don't see it on the Digitech product page so it must not be currently in production.Keith

[gavink]

Sept 2, 2009, 7:55pm, t4mh wrote:Not sure what a Vx400 is. I don't see it on the Digitech product page so it must not be currently in production.Keithhooks up via USB...http://www.digitech.com/products/Vocalist/Vx400.php

[mojobone]

I think Glen Galen uses something similar. Perhaps he'll chime in. My Line6 X3Live is certainly good enough to cut tracks with; it has 1/4 in guitar/bass, Variax, auxiliary and XLR mic inputs, all of which can interface with DAW software via USB , but it doesn't provide phantom power to the mic input, so I can only use a dynamic mic, unless I invest in an outboard phantom power supply-in any case I seldom use the USB interface function, as I have a Firewire interface/control surface that does provide phantom power for condenser mics. However, the effects and preamp/EQ models work great for bass, guitar and vocals; the desktop version streets for 'bout $400. But, you get only one mic input, so while stereo guitars virtually miked through a dual amp rig is built in, stereo miked acoustics is out, unless you add an external mixer.

[t4mh]

Oh Yeah! The Vocal Box! I played in a band a few years ago and the lead singer had one of these. It was a pretty rowdy bar band with no sound man out front to dial stuff in and so the singer used one of these to punch in his own effects. It worked great!Now I've only heard this thing used in a live situation so I can't vouch for its use in a studio and I'm not sure how well it would do for acoustic guitar. But nothing ventured nothing gained. I'd try it just to see what came out.I should mention that if you are serious about mics on an acoustic and you are going to do a lot of that, then you should really be looking for a really excellent condenser mic(s) and preamp. I think you will be a great deal happier with the results. Of course that then leads to the need for a compressor ( hardware or software ) and you start down this road of one thing really requiring another addition and so forth...Welcome to the club!Good Luck!Keith

[ggalen]

I use the Digitech Vocalist for harmonies and special effects.I used it on the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Is Gonna Come" to be my own "gospel backup group":It's on the player here: http://www.GlennGalen.comBut I believe you are talking about a guitar effects pedal here, am I right?

[gavink]

Sept 6, 2009, 7:41pm, ggalen wrote:I use the Digitech Vocalist for harmonies and special effects.I used it on the Sam Cooke classic "A Change Is Gonna Come" to be my own "gospel backup group":It's on the player here: http://www.GlennGalen.comBut I believe you are talking about a guitar effects pedal here, am I right?cool. yeah the pedal version.

[gavink]

Sept 3, 2009, 9:54pm, t4mh wrote:Oh Yeah! The Vocal Box! I played in a band a few years ago and the lead singer had one of these. It was a pretty rowdy bar band with no sound man out front to dial stuff in and so the singer used one of these to punch in his own effects. It worked great!Now I've only heard this thing used in a live situation so I can't vouch for its use in a studio and I'm not sure how well it would do for acoustic guitar. But nothing ventured nothing gained. I'd try it just to see what came out.I should mention that if you are serious about mics on an acoustic and you are going to do a lot of that, then you should really be looking for a really excellent condenser mic(s) and preamp. I think you will be a great deal happier with the results. Of course that then leads to the need for a compressor ( hardware or software ) and you start down this road of one thing really requiring another addition and so forth...Welcome to the club!Good Luck!Keithyep. I used to spend 18hrs trying to get a decent recording. I was spending so much time engineering and producing that my songwriting suffered. so I decided to send my songs off to a producer to get then produced right. I am pleased with the results but acoustic instrumentals cost like $300 a pop. If I can do them myself I could produce more.

[ggalen]

I see.The unit I use, the Vocalist, primarily does harmonies.The Vx400 you are taling about does not create harmonies, but it more of a microphone modeling/effects. drum machine unit.

[gavink]

Sept 7, 2009, 8:05am, ggalen wrote:I see.The unit I use, the Vocalist, primarily does harmonies.The Vx400 you are taling about does not create harmonies, but it more of a microphone modeling/effects. drum machine unit.yes more for guitar and vocals. I had one years ago. don't think they make them anymore. I remember good recordings.I'm getting an M-audio interface.