Ampster or small tube amp or DSP or ……..

[ef37a]

It’s tricky Elf. In part I read info/opinion that says plugging into AI is a real no no because of coloring of signal...

Most of that kind of info/opinion is of dubious quality. If it sounds fine to you then go with it.

It never ceases to amaze me what people can hear when they know what want to hear...

Well, to be a bit fair, there ARE interfaces that have HZ inputs deliberately designed to add "colour/attitude/warmf" whatever you want to call it (I calls it all DISTORTION!) and these often get praised in reviews. My view is, that is fine if the effect can be defeated, if not then I am not keen as I believe such an input should be as transparent as possible. After all the punter might want to plug in something that is NOT a guitar or bass!

However, the vast majority of interfaces have a simple, clean Instru' input and if the specification says it is 1 meg Ohm the likelyhood is that is just a jfet op amp. This is probably why most AIs have at least two HZ inputs. Op amps come in pairs as a rule.

There can be a problem is the AI gives the HZ input too much gain. The temptation seems to be to enable it to hit 0dBFS when one just breathes on a feeble Strat clone. In fact you only need enough gain to get about -20dBFS with modest strumming. IMHO the front end of an AI is NOT the place to add distortion.

Dave.

[IAA]

Well I’ve ran a few tests.

I bought a DI, a Moer micro, £50 I think. Works fine. But I also did some tests with guitar plugged directly into a HiZ of my apogee element interface.

Now here is the odd thing. It may be the DI is a “budget” one,but I prefer the sound straight into the HiZ, more treble, clearer to my ears.

However, the vast majority of interfaces have a simple, clean Instru' input and if the specification says it is 1 meg Ohm the likelyhood is that is just a jfet op amp. This is probably why most AIs have at least two HZ inputs. Op amps come in pairs as a rule.

I can’t tell what the element has but it does sound clear on both humbucker and single coil.

The Di is useful because of the out to the amp too and I like the combination of DI and amp the two sources make up for the lack of clarity in just the DI box.

I don’t want to over complicate, so if sounds ok it’s ok?

[amanise]

...

I don’t want to over complicate, so if sounds ok it’s ok?

...And that's the thing really isn't it? As long as you don't blow anything up. One thing to add might be whatever you do - its worth being able to reproduce it later if required. I remember one session in a land a long way away and a long time ago, where there was a giant Allen and Heath desk to which I had been very unwisely directly connected to. Maybe the coffee was particularly good that day - or something - but that thing was lit up very brightly indeed. Lots of red LEDs. It all sounded amazing and everyone went home happy. Anyway, when we'd all calmed down a bit, we realised we couldn't quite reproduce the sound of that desk. There was no way any of us were ever buying one. Another long anecdote from the house of drone.

[IAA]

Anyway, when we'd all calmed down a bit, we realised we couldn't quite reproduce the sound of that desk. There was no way any of us were ever buying one. Another long anecdote from the house of drone.

Yeah, quite agree, I mostly work ITB for that very reason.