madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: midwayfair on March 26, 2015, 07:51:18 PM

Title: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: midwayfair on March 26, 2015, 07:51:18 PM
A post on DIYSB reminded me of how difficult it is to tell the difference between different types of distortion, or even whether it's a real amp.

So let's play a game. Say whether you think the track is a sim or real amp, and then post a track or two of your own so the next person can take a guess about those.

Track 1: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9878279/Midway%20Fair%20-%20demos%20and%20scratch%20tracks/Once%20and%20For%20All.mp3

Track 2: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9878279/Midway%20Fair%20-%20demos%20and%20scratch%20tracks/Firebird.mp3
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: culturejam on March 26, 2015, 07:58:26 PM
I'm terrible at this kind of thing.

But I guess that Track 1 is the sim. Well, for the guitar parts I focused on. I wasn't expecting multitrack recordings.
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: midwayfair on March 26, 2015, 08:00:40 PM
Quote from: culturejam on March 26, 2015, 07:58:26 PM
I wasn't expecting multitrack recordings.

NO ONE expects the multitrack recordings!

Actually, I sort of feel like the multitrack recordings are the point. Listening to an instrument in isolation is often navel gazing. Unless it's a piece meant to be played with a solo instrument.
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: culturejam on March 26, 2015, 08:11:04 PM
Every pedal expert knows that the only tone that matters is the pedal by itself, at conversation level, in your bedroom. That is all.  :P


On the other hand, if you add some compression, reverb, and mix it in with 10 other tracks, I'll bet you could pass off an early 90s Zoom 9001 as an amp.  ;D

Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: Vallhagen on March 26, 2015, 08:26:49 PM
Song 1 is the sim one.

I dont have ears to be sure at all, its just a feeling really. But consider it a serious guess.

**

This one shall be easier:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Catch%20Me%20Beng%202.mp3 (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Catch%20Me%20Beng%202.mp3)

Cheers
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: mcallisterra on March 26, 2015, 10:25:55 PM


Quote from: midwayfair on March 26, 2015, 07:51:18 PM
A post on DIYSB reminded me of how difficult it is to tell the difference between different types of distortion, or even whether it's a real amp.

So...

(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--cXiVBxQv--/939483080275665186.jpg)

Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: lars on March 26, 2015, 10:46:16 PM
It's not about hearing amps.
It's not about being without an opinion either.
You just gotta find that balance.
When you play guitar by yourself, you play it for more than, just yourself.
....that's the sim spot.
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: peAk on March 26, 2015, 10:53:19 PM
I wish it was the same track and not two completely different guitar sounds

That said, the first one sounds IMO more like an amp and the second one has that more fizzy high end that amp sims seem to always have

Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: billstein on March 27, 2015, 12:48:23 AM
I believe number one is the sim. 
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: gordo on March 27, 2015, 01:53:58 AM
Three totally different scenarios: bedroom, studio, live. Gear can sound radically different in two or more of the above. So sim or real doesn't really matter in any of the above because there are no "real" reference points.
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: peAk on March 27, 2015, 06:09:21 PM
Jon......

How long will this suspense go on for?

"Enquiring minds want to know."
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: midwayfair on March 27, 2015, 06:17:18 PM
#1 was the sim -- but the "amp" parts are almost completely clean. All distortion on both is from a fuzz face variant.

Quote from: Vallhagen on March 26, 2015, 08:26:49 PM
Song 1 is the sim one.

I dont have ears to be sure at all, its just a feeling really. But consider it a serious guess.

**

This one shall be easier:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Catch%20Me%20Beng%202.mp3 (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10190945/Catch%20Me%20Beng%202.mp3)

Cheers

Begnt, is that you singing? This track sounds amazing.

I'm going to guess this is a sim, simply because it's VERY high gain but doesn't sound noisy like I'd expect a mic'd setup to sound. But I think there's also at least one pedal involved.

Come on, guys, post more tracks :)
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: Vallhagen on March 27, 2015, 07:34:22 PM
Quote from: midwayfair on March 27, 2015, 06:17:18 PM

Begnt, is that you singing? This track sounds amazing.

Yessir, thats me playing everything and singing. Thank you. Reminds me that i should really record some more stuff ... That song is recorded some years back, i had a quite creative period.

Cheers
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: Willybomb on March 28, 2015, 05:44:54 AM
QuoteSo let's play a game. Say whether you think the track is a sim or real amp, and then post a track or two of your own so the next person can take a guess about those.p
I did this on the n-track forum years ago, based on the idea that in a mix, it really doesn't matter too much.  I recorded/mixed a song and split the guitar using my mixer to get a clean track that got the ampsim later on (analoguesuite jcm800) and the other went to my marshall vs102r which was miced.  One track is hard panned left, and the other hard right.  Actually, this was probably over 10 years ago so they might actually be separately recorded tracks.  Either way, it was the same guitar/interface.

The results were about 50/50 right/wrong.

Even the plugin developers got in and had a go - and they got it wrong.

This is the song here if anyone wants to have a crack.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/william-phillips-9/lazy-gene-theory-way-you-look[/soundcloud]
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: Vallhagen on April 04, 2015, 08:02:37 PM
Quote from: Willybomb on March 28, 2015, 05:44:54 AM
QuoteSo let's play a game. Say whether you think the track is a sim or real amp, and then post a track or two of your own so the next person can take a guess about those.p
I did this on the n-track forum years ago, based on the idea that in a mix, it really doesn't matter too much.  I recorded/mixed a song and split the guitar using my mixer to get a clean track that got the ampsim later on (analoguesuite jcm800) and the other went to my marshall vs102r which was miced.  One track is hard panned left, and the other hard right.  Actually, this was probably over 10 years ago so they might actually be separately recorded tracks.  Either way, it was the same guitar/interface.

The results were about 50/50 right/wrong.

Even the plugin developers got in and had a go - and they got it wrong.

This is the song here if anyone wants to have a crack.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/william-phillips-9/lazy-gene-theory-way-you-look[/soundcloud]

...gotta put in a serious guess here too:

The right panned guitar is the mik-d amp/cab.

...again, i cant be sure. And the simulator is the simulanalog guitar suite? Good stuff. We made a four-song record with it:)

Cheers
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: Vallhagen on April 04, 2015, 08:10:12 PM
Quote from: midwayfair on March 27, 2015, 06:17:18 PM

I'm going to guess this is a sim, simply because it's VERY high gain but doesn't sound noisy like I'd expect a mic'd setup to sound. But I think there's also at least one pedal involved.

And sure you are right. All simulation. No physical pedals though; All guitars recorded through my old POD 2.0. If i remember right there were 8 guitartracks on the chorus.
Title: Re: Can you tell a simulated guitar track from an amp recording?
Post by: Willybomb on April 04, 2015, 10:14:01 PM
Quotesimulanalog guitar suite? Good stuff. We made a four-song record with it:)
Yeah, it was.  I always get the name wrong!

QuoteThe right panned guitar is the mik-d amp/cab.
You know, I can't remember off the top of my head anymore.  I'm going to have to have a proper listen as there's a couple of nuances in the tracks that I can use to differentiate them...  But I think you're right.