Re: battery-driven Mic PreAmp? - Roland MicroCube

["Krispen Hartung" <khartung@cableone.net>]

----- Original Message ----- >

> I'm just thinking - were you also fantasizing about the mobile Roland 
> MicroCube / RC-2 combination? ;-)
> Got the MicroCube and I'm very happy with it ;-)

Yes, I have both the MicroCube and RC-2 as my backup system.  Great duo.

BUT, I have recently tried an experiment. As some of you know, I have been 
struggling to find a decent VST or software amp simulator or preamp that 
really makes the guitar sound like it should before going into the laptop. 
I 
have the acoustic guitar and mandolin figured out (LR Baggs para acoustic 
DI 
pre-amp)...it's a beautiful sound. It is the solid body electric guitar 
with 
it's seemingly lifeless and dry direct sound that is the issue. The 
electric 
guitar and amp with mic seem to be a match made in audio heaven, evolving 
together.

I have had no luck. I'm sure the really expensive amp simulators are 
great, 
but the problem is that they require too many CPU resources....plus, I 
feel 
they still aren't that convincing in terms of matching the sound of an amp 
wit an amp. Nothing has convinced me thoroughly yet. I may be able to hear 
a 
good simulation of a real amp, but the "feel" is never there.

So....after some discussion with Lucio this last weekend for our show, he 
suggested I might plug into my MicroCube, mic it, and then run into my 
laptop. The think the result is quite amazing. I know that Lucio is a big 
fan of this tiny amp. In fact, he used it at the 2nd Boise Experimental 
Music Festival. We put a mic on it and ran it through a monster 
PA....outstanding. It sounded as good or better than him using my 
expensive 
Mesa Boogie Mark I the prior festival.

Has anyone else tried this? Mic your MicroCube (no effects, just amp sim) 
and run directly into your laptop. Then do all your normal processing. 
Tell 
me what you think.

Kris


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