Audio Interfaces with

S/PDIF Inputs/Outputs

These are just a few of the Audio Interfaces available from zzounds.com

ATTENTION - This article is not necessarily finished either, but it helps to get things started.

Vetta II - Digital Interface Re-Amping

Introduction

Now that Line 6 has introduced the next generation of their flagship amp with the Vetta II, it's time to look a little deeper into the digital ins and outs that have been included on the new Combo/HD, or which can be added to an original Vetta with the Vetta Digital Interface.

After spending many hours working with the Vetta Digital Interface to re-amp guitar tracks I had recorded - I'm completely sold (or should I say spoiled) on the endless tonal possibilities. Think of how many times you have tried recording your guitar, only to think afterwards - "I played that part perfectly, but the guitar tone sounds terrible." Well, not any more...read on.

What Is Re-Amping

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept behind re-amping, it's a recording technique in which only the output of the guitar's pickup is recorded direct to tape/hard drive, and then sent back into an amplifier (or other gear) to process after-the-fact. It allows you (the guitar player) the freedom and flexibility to concentrate on your note playing and worry about the guitar tone later on. Re-Amping can also be a benefit for those who need to lay down tracks in the middle of the night if you live in an apartment or have families who like to sleep.

Re-Amping Hardware

In order to use the Digital I/O's of the Vetta II ( or VDI ), you will need the proper audio interface to get the signal to and from your computer.

S/PDIF Connections

Most likely, the majority of users will be using the S/PDIF connections of the Vetta II. For those who would like to know, S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is a standard audio transfer file format. It is usually found on digital audio equipment such as a DAT machine or audio processing device. The most common connector used with an S/PDIF interface is the RCA connector, the same one used for consumer audio products. An optical connector is also sometimes used.

AES/EBU Connections

The other digital audio connections found on the Vetta II are the AES/EBU. AES/EBU (Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union) is the name of a digital audio transfer standard. The AES and EBU developed the specifications for the standard.The AES/EBU digital interface is usually implemented using 3-PIN XLR connectors, the same type connector used in a professional microphone. One cable carries both left- and right-channel audio data to the receiving device. AES/EBU is an alternative to the S/PDIF standard.

Re-Amping Applications

Patch Creation

Ever get tired of playing - tweaking - playing - tweaking ad infinitum? Re-Amping is a great tool for patch creation. Now you can spend time fine-tweaking all your patches while playing back your recorded guitar tracks.

Multi-Track Recording

One of the best advantages to re-amping during multi-track recording is that you can record the same guitar part with more than one guitar, to try out different pickups - or just use a Variax, and select which pickup you desire. Since it's all digital, you have nothing to lose. Re-amping provides you with the ability to record several different amp models across different tracks, then pick and choose which sound best for your recording.

And the best part of this is that you can still keep the musical connection to the sound of the amp itself during the recording process. As you interact with the amp itself, the Vetta Digital Interface is sending just the dry guitar signal to your recording software/hardware.

Re-Amping and MIDI Sequencing

For those of you who like to work with Audio-MIDI Sequencing software, such as Cubase or SONAR, re-amping works especially well.

Are you an Electronic Musician who likes to sequence your own songs via MIDI?

For those of you who would like to replace that guitar midi sequence

Plugsound Vol.5 Fretted Instruments - comes with a D.I. recorded Strat that can be used for creating a raw midi-sequenced guitar track which can then be re-amped through the Vetta Digital Interface to record a realistic amp tone.

Re-Amping Other Instruments

Re-Amping is not just limited to guitar tones alone. All of the Vetta's stompbox and post effects can also be used for processing vocals, bass, and other recorded parts as well. By using the Vetta's BYPASS (No Amp) model, and setting the A.I.R. II to the OFF (no mic model) position, the Vetta can become a dedicated effects processor.

Re-Amping with the Double Tracker

Using the re-amp feature along with the Vetta's Double Tracker opens up some extremely productive recording techniques. Since the DT doesn't respond "absolutely identical" during each recording pass, you can adjust the DT's parameters slightly different for each guitar track.

By using slightly different parameter settings, you can have the left and right panned guitar tracks

Using a recording technique such as this, you can actually create fully independent sounding mixes, and the playback will sound true-stereo without any of the sound shifting that occurs using the DT alone.