IR-driven cabs are often the weak link with amp sims Fortunately, cab emulations have improved dramatically over the years. Yet like samples, they remain frozen to a particular cab-they have their sound, and that's it.
Although some guitar players think that a cab is a magical device, it's really just a filter. To be sure, it can be a magical filter but it's still a filter. So, we can use filters to create our own cabs. They won't be able to replicate a specific cabinet down to the smallest detail, but that's not the point. Using the Pro EQ2 filter to create your own cabinet can give responses that IRs can't give, with a different sound that can be satisfyingly smooth, and well, analog.
I analyzed the frequency response of several cabs, using the Tone Generator's pink noise along with the Spectrum Analyzer plug-in, then tried to replicate the response as closely as possible with the Pro EQ2. Although sometimes I was shocked at how close this could come to the cab, more often than not I couldn't help but make some tweaks-it's almost like I had taken that cab, brought it into a woodworking shop, and made specific changes for my needs.
If you want to experiment be my guest! Insert Ampire, choose your amp (I particularly like the following curves with the VC30), select no cab in Ampire (important!), insert the ProEQ2 afterward, and rock out. Here are some ideas to get you started. Note that the white curve is the sum of all the other curves, so that's the curve you actually hear.
This curve is based on a 1 x12 cabinet that's designed for leads, but works with rhythm parts as well (Fig. 1).
Figure 1
Here's a curve that's more Tweedish (Fig. 2)
Figure 2
This curve (Fig. 3) is based on an amp by a company that no longer makes amps, but whose name I better not mention so that I don't have to deal with lawyers. Suffice it to say they're known mostly for making guitars that are popular with rock guitarists.
Figure 3
And here's one more just because we can (Fig. 4)! It's based on a 2 x 12 cab.
Figure 4
These all have two elements in common: high-frequency rolloffs, and interesting resonances. Although EQ cabs may not replace IRs, they're not supposed to-this is about augmenting your options. Nonetheless, in many of my current productions, I prefer using the Pro EQ2-based cabs because it's easier to tailor them to fit in with a specific mix.
For this week's tip, I'm not providing presets because this isn't about presets-it's about editing an analog cab to give the sounds you need for your productions. So, the best curve will depend on what works best with your guitar, playing style, and production goals. In any event, I think you'll find that constructing your own cabinet can provide a musically useful, and novel, way to expand on what IR-based cabinets can do.
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IR-driven cabs are often the weak link with amp sims Fortunately, cab emulations have improved dramatically over the years. Yet like samples, they remain frozen to a particular cab-they have their sound, and that's it.
