View other reviews for this product:
riles « X-Amp: it works. »
Published on 02/15/11 at 04:59X-amp is an accessory transforming a signal line symmetrical unbalanced instrument signal. It can connect the output of a soundcard or a mixer to a guitar amp or low by optimizing the signal / noise and the impulse response.
This is handy in several situations: 1) You record the direct sound of a guitar or bass, then, after registration, you try different amps and settings without forcing the musicians to play for hours time find the "right sound". 2) If you work alone, you may want to focus on interpretation, then after the sound, even remake a decision once you've found the sound. 3) In live recording, the microphone placed in front of the amp also captures the repisse all instruments nearby. But if you make a decision DI, you can reamplify thereafter in a quiet room without any repisse. 4) Try sending a MesaBoogie, or a Fender MusicMan throwing stuff in your sequencer: synths, loops, percussion, voice ...
To return to the X-amp: it's a compact format (DI) which connects the area with an adapter. Class A circuit, Jensen Transformer. Balanced input on XLR connector with ground-lift, 2 output jack on instrument, one with polarity reverse and ground-lift. Adjusting volume common to both outputs. Robust construction usual in Radial.
I bought the X-Amp kit with a DI J48. Everything was shipped in a plastic case ZebraCase.
UTILIZATION
Is very simple: you insert the X-amp between the sound card or mixer and amp. While the sequencer plays the track loop, playing with the amp settings, mic placement, etc.. And when you're happy with the result, it is recorded on a new track.
The 2 outputs for connecting two amps at the same time, I've never done.
For cons, the X-Amp is not one of those couples accessories "transmitter-receiver" that allows the guitarist to put in a room and his amp in another, connected by long Multicore studio. The X-amp takes input line level (around 1 volt), while most of the cases "issuer" provide a micro level (about 1 millivolt).
SOUND QUALITY
It is difficult to say in absolute terms, how the Bell X-amp. I offer 3 comparisons:
1) With or without X-Amp: the X-Amp improves things (you can leave at the nominal level of the sound card without saturating the amplifier).
2) Between live guitar in the amp and guitar through: J48 DI preamp converter converter Protools X-Amp: I notice a slight degradation of sound (less incisive attacks) when I go through the whole chain. But I would not say whether it is the fault of the X-amp or other link.
3) By analogy with DIS: the X-Amp uses the same technology DI J48, I could compare with many other DIs. The J48 sounds better than the BSS AR133 (rounded green DI most prevalent in the pros right now).
Anyway, even if in absolute terms it slightly degrades the sound, the reamplification optimizes a lot of issues much more significant on the outcome.
OVERALL OPINION
The X-Amp is solid, it does its job without being noticed. I do not ask him anything more. Radial thank you.
This is handy in several situations: 1) You record the direct sound of a guitar or bass, then, after registration, you try different amps and settings without forcing the musicians to play for hours time find the "right sound". 2) If you work alone, you may want to focus on interpretation, then after the sound, even remake a decision once you've found the sound. 3) In live recording, the microphone placed in front of the amp also captures the repisse all instruments nearby. But if you make a decision DI, you can reamplify thereafter in a quiet room without any repisse. 4) Try sending a MesaBoogie, or a Fender MusicMan throwing stuff in your sequencer: synths, loops, percussion, voice ...
To return to the X-amp: it's a compact format (DI) which connects the area with an adapter. Class A circuit, Jensen Transformer. Balanced input on XLR connector with ground-lift, 2 output jack on instrument, one with polarity reverse and ground-lift. Adjusting volume common to both outputs. Robust construction usual in Radial.
I bought the X-Amp kit with a DI J48. Everything was shipped in a plastic case ZebraCase.
UTILIZATION
Is very simple: you insert the X-amp between the sound card or mixer and amp. While the sequencer plays the track loop, playing with the amp settings, mic placement, etc.. And when you're happy with the result, it is recorded on a new track.
The 2 outputs for connecting two amps at the same time, I've never done.
For cons, the X-Amp is not one of those couples accessories "transmitter-receiver" that allows the guitarist to put in a room and his amp in another, connected by long Multicore studio. The X-amp takes input line level (around 1 volt), while most of the cases "issuer" provide a micro level (about 1 millivolt).
SOUND QUALITY
It is difficult to say in absolute terms, how the Bell X-amp. I offer 3 comparisons:
1) With or without X-Amp: the X-Amp improves things (you can leave at the nominal level of the sound card without saturating the amplifier).
2) Between live guitar in the amp and guitar through: J48 DI preamp converter converter Protools X-Amp: I notice a slight degradation of sound (less incisive attacks) when I go through the whole chain. But I would not say whether it is the fault of the X-amp or other link.
3) By analogy with DIS: the X-Amp uses the same technology DI J48, I could compare with many other DIs. The J48 sounds better than the BSS AR133 (rounded green DI most prevalent in the pros right now).
Anyway, even if in absolute terms it slightly degrades the sound, the reamplification optimizes a lot of issues much more significant on the outcome.
OVERALL OPINION
The X-Amp is solid, it does its job without being noticed. I do not ask him anything more. Radial thank you.