Apollo and the guitar

[Kikolacalle]

It's true that the Apollo guitar plugins (Marsall, Fuch, Friedman, etc.) are really awful. But it is also true that the mix of this interface is extraordinary. I usually record all the instruments with my Apollo, but not the guitars. I record them with other interfaces because UAD doesn't give good results for big guitars. In the end I finish my mixes and my albums mixing with Apollo, that's what it's very good for.

 

[Wellz]

I've got amazing results via unison with Helios then the Neve 1073 in the insert.

 

[Jiver]

It's true that the Apollo guitar plugins (Marsall, Fuch, Friedman, etc.) are really awful.

Actually I find the Friedman Buxom Betty quite good for cleaner sounds. If you want a great Marshall sound, you should try the Lion UAFX pedal. I almost never use a plugin for my guitar sound. I have all the UAFX amp pedals and use those all the time, or one of my real tube amps.

I've got amazing results via unison with Helios then the Neve 1073 in the insert.

Never tried that. Do you use the EQ on both the Helios and the Neve or do you disable one of them?

 

[Wellz]

Actually I find the Friedman Buxom Betty quite good for cleaner sounds. If you want a great Marshall sound, you should try the Lion UAFX pedal. I almost never use a plugin for my guitar sound. I have all the UAFX amp pedals and use those all the time, or one of my real tube amps.


Never tried that. Do you use the EQ on both the Helios and the Neve or do you disable one of them?

I think it was Helios -electric guitar- pre set with some adjustments and on the Neve the -better electronics- pre set with some adjustments. I'd have to check to be sure.

 

[LesBrown]

I record them with other interfaces because UAD doesn't give good results for big guitars. In the end I finish my mixes and my albums mixing with Apollo, that's what it's very good for.

I only use an Apollo to record guitar, from mic'd soft acoustic to high-gain devil metal; but I don't use the plugin amp sims. My guitars are all very small, so yeah, no big guitars here.

 

[beatswilsonian]

I use Tonex, NAM, Tonocracy, and sometimes TH-U. Still kinda like the UA guitar amps at times, so I'm not sure I'd say "awful" haha. Fuchs Train, Buxom Betty, and Fender all have a place for me. I can find pretty awful captures in any of the aforementioned, and I can find some hideous amp sims from any company you want to name.

As far as "big" guitars, I'd have to hear a reference for what you're trying to achieve, because most of that is in the mix for me. I'm sure a lot of it is genre dependent, but I'm mostly doing clean/edge of breakup. Double tracking and basic mix techniques can go a long way. Now if it's some ZZ Top-type track with guitars front and center, I'm not sure I'd reach for UA amp sims, but like someone said above, just some preamps and channelstrips can get you a pretty vibe'y sound. Also, I'm basically recording a dry track for anything I record anyway so I can re-amp depending on where something needs to fit.

 

[klasaine]

It's true that the Apollo guitar plugins (Marsall, Fuch, Friedman, etc.) are really awful.

I don’t find them awful at all. I fool folks (producers, artists, engineers) constantly with the UA sims. I make a living recording guitars with an Apollo: micd amps with Unison pres, UA amp sims, UAFX amp pedals, etc.
Getting a “big“ guitar sound has nothing to do with your interface.
Playing ability, mic technique, and engineering skill is how you do it.

 

[ndallago]

I don’t find them awful at all. I fool folks (producers, artists, engineers) constantly with the UA sims. I make a living recording guitars with an Apollo: micd amps with Unison pres, UA amp sims, UAFX amp pedals, etc.
Getting a “big“ guitar sound has nothing to do with your interface.
Playing ability, mic technique, and engineering skill is how you do it.

If you have some time, would you mind sharing your setup (unison, etc.) when using UAD amp sims? I also find them a bit underwhelming, but that's probably my issue, not the plugins.

I'll typically try the UAD sims, then give up and silent record (due to noise restrictions) through real amps by sending the guitar signal to either a de-Lisle AMP switcher / DI or a Freyette PS2, and returning the AMP DI to the DAW where cab and mic sims get applied. Or, lately, using a Quad Cortex direct, either with its own cab emulation, or using the UAD OX Stomp.

 

[MaxTwang]

They're not horrible they're Brainwork or Softube, I find them quite usable and like the low latency.

I prefer a real amp with OX or for modeling Tonex or NAM. NAM is free and is really good, especially if you have amps to capture.

UAFX Lion '68 is a great pedal as is the Friedman IR-X.

 

[klasaine]

If you have some time, would you mind sharing your setup (unison, etc.) when using UAD amp sims?

It’s track, style, and guitar dependent.
Whatever amp in the Unison slot.
1073/84, Helios, or Trident A in rec fx if I need eq and maybe some extra weight. *I sometimes eq in post.
UA 176 comp - I usually print this (rec fx or insert).
Precision Reflection Engine set on one of the plates, 50% to 75% room size and very low in the mix. I just want some space around the faux amp.

On the amp sim itself, I go into the effects rack section and most of the time pull the input gain down and mess with the filters (tight and smooth) to tighten up the lows and smooth out the highs. I tweak an amp sim as much as I would a real amp. Everything is dependent on where it needs to sit in a track. You have to take time. I’ve never used a stock preset ever on a recording.

 

[mdotgreg]

It's true that the Apollo guitar plugins (Marsall, Fuch, Friedman, etc.) are really awful. But it is also true that the mix of this interface is extraordinary. I usually record all the instruments with my Apollo, but not the guitars. I record them with other interfaces because UAD doesn't give good results for big guitars. In the end I finish my mixes and my albums mixing with Apollo, that's what it's very good for.

I have been a Digital Guitarist for many years. Live and in the Studio...Kemper Profiler Rack; Stage; Toaster. Totally satisfied. I need a variety of amps and it suits me. Recently, with the loyalty coupon, I picked up a variety of the UAD Guitar plugins. Friedman; Suhr, Diezel, etc...and just finished my first track with them. I am a believer! Very good quality and I can get whatever sound I need. I would love to have a "VOX" plugin also. Anyway..for live play the Kemper has me covered, but I am moving towards UAD for recording simplicity and the "feel" of the plugins.

 

[ndallago]

It’s track, style, and guitar dependent.
Whatever amp in the Unison slot.
1073/84, Helios, or Trident A in rec fx if I need eq. *I sometimes eq in post.
UA 176 comp - I usually print this (rec fx or insert).
Precision Reflection Engine set on one of the plates, 50% to 75% room size and very low in the mix. I just want some space around the faux amp.

On the amp sim itself, I go into the effects rack section and most of the time pull the input gain down and mess with the filters (tight and smooth) to tighten up the lows and smooth out the highs. I tweak an amp sim as much as I would a real amp. Everything is dependent on where it needs to sit in a track. You have to take time. I’ve never used a stock preset ever on a recording.

Thank you. Much appreciated. Will give this a try.

 

[Joe Porto]

Big guitar sounds are all about the room. Ocean Way and Sound City are my go to room plugins for big guitar, whether a pedal, plugin or real amp.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

OP's OP lacks specifics. Which Marshall, Fuchs, and Friedman? Each has good and bad.

 

[klasaine]

I'll add that with an Apollo, in my not so humble opinion, the Unison thing makes a very real difference in the gain structure and feel of the ua amp sims. And for me that affects how I touch the guitar (or bass).

 

[chrisharbin]

It's true that the Apollo guitar plugins (Marsall, Fuch, Friedman, etc.) are really awful. But it is also true that the mix of this interface is extraordinary. I usually record all the instruments with my Apollo, but not the guitars. I record them with other interfaces because UAD doesn't give good results for big guitars. In the end I finish my mixes and my albums mixing with Apollo, that's what it's very good for.

Not sure if I follow, but many amp sim plugs are VERY DIFERENT. Likely you ca get anything to sound good in a mix but it REALLY varies.

 

[klasaine]

File under, a bad carpenter blames his tools.

 

[Gary D]

As I am certain many here already know, "big" guitar sounds often come from very small amps or well recorded ( and played ) sims.

 

[swaite]

It's true that the Apollo guitar plugins (Marsall, Fuch, Friedman, etc.) are really awful. But it is also true that the mix of this interface is extraordinary. I usually record all the instruments with my Apollo, but not the guitars. I record them with other interfaces because UAD doesn't give good results for big guitars. In the end I finish my mixes and my albums mixing with Apollo, that's what it's very good for.

“Really awful.”

say what, bro?

I have had great success with UAD plugins as a guitarist (and bass, too). I think you need to spend more time dialing in tones.
I suggest using LUNA, too.

 

[CaptKirk66]

This has been an issue for me as well. I don't find them awful, but semi unusable for my taste. Maybe I haven't worked hard enough to dial them in, but why should it take so much tweaking? I use Luna for most stuff these days but I have gone back to Logic to record guitars. Their stock guitar sims are pretty awesome actually, all I have to do is adjust the volume and tone a little, turn up the reverb and go. Bounce them down and import into Luna. The Ampeg sim in Luna works well for bass. I also use Scuffham and the Fender amps in IK Multi a lot. Of course then running them thru Luna makes them sound even sweeter. I've been able to get Buxom Betty to sound pretty good, and I want to demo the Fuchs next time I'm able to because I've heard good things. I'm also usually after a specific guitar sound that usually is similar to this: