Would you guys be interested this?

mistermullens · September 3rd, 2007, 09:38 PM

Lately I've been thinking about starting a website that is strictly for amp and guitar samples. It would be a very basic site but would have a detailed listing of the amp & guitar settings pertaining to the mp3 and how the sound sample was recorded. Of course there is no way I can record all the samples myself, so I would have to rely on volunteers for the majority of the samples. So what do you think?

dolfan19 · September 3rd, 2007, 09:48 PM

If it includes samples of different pedals, it would be a godsend. Of course, having samples of each pedal played through different combos of guitars and amps would be opening Pandora's Box. Great idea, though.

blacklove · September 3rd, 2007, 11:40 PM

Only if it was all video with good sound, hardly any talking, and the drop-d hesher crowd was in a section that I wouldn't stumble upon by accident.

Jim Weider's little YouTube clips (probably pirated) were excellent.

JohnnyCrash · September 4th, 2007, 01:35 AM

Definitely not.

Its too subjective to be able to really mean much of anything to me.

Sometimes there's a subtle give-and-take that you just can't exactly feel in a sound clip. Micing and many other slight factors that would be too hard to replicate and lend itself to getting a lowest common denominator.

For those interested in getting a generalized sorta "flavor" for an amp, maybe it would be very cool to them though... so I guess its a matter of preference.

Edward Gibbon · September 4th, 2007, 03:54 AM

I think the idea is GREAT.

There are a few things you could do to make samples more comparable with each other (does this sentence make any sense?).

a) Have the players record a few licks with the effect off. Then with the effect on.

b)For each OD pedal, various samples: one with the effect off, one with the effect on a clean amp, one with the effect in a moderately crunchy amp, one where the player would try and point to the flaws of the pedal (for example hiss and background noises, dirty delay trails, popping sounds when switching on, lack of versatility).

c) As you mentioned: Have the player describe his exact setup, including pickups, effects, amp and recording setup.

d) The player should have the possibility to briefly comment his sample, and maybe describe the tonal differences between the sample and his real world experience with the pedal. Also, listeners could leave a comment or ask a question pertaining to the sample.

e) If the sample is about an obscure boutique thing, it would be great if a few licks were played on an acknowledged standard (e.g: end the sample with a few licks on a TS9, or a DD-6).

A nice way to enhance the site would be a page listing the gear used famous recordings. So you could hear the gear in a pro recording situation.

Another cool thing would be direct links to samples or vids made by the manufacturers themselves. I mean, I bought some B*ss stuff that sounded nothing like it did on their website. Direct comparison between what you can achieve at home and in a recording facility is the idea.

You need to be aware of the Youtube competition though. Lots of gear demos there already.

Just my 2c. Edward.

11 Gauge · September 4th, 2007, 10:11 AM

I would like it, but I have my reservations.

Pedals sound different with just about every amp they're plugged into. Plus, there's how the dials are set.

I have mp3s of pedals from $20 - $400. None of them sound anything like the actual pedal that I received.

Guitars would be cool, if you're dealing with only 2 or 3 'standard' amps, no effects...

Pickup comparisons would be fairly useless, as most pickups can be tweaked with tone controls, amp controls, micing, or even recording tricks.

Amps could at least be given some sort of baseline, as long as a 'standard' was set up for the controls, the micing technique is dead-nuts consistent, and no doctoring is done at the board, computer, etc., other than optimizing the overall level. The biggest caveat is that if different guitars are used (say a Tele, a Strat, and LP), then the amp typically has to be adjusted for different guitars.

I don't think that multi-channel amps could be done well - too many knobs to twiddle, and then record the setting of.

But - the site could be lots of fun, and if nothing else, it would highlight that a certain piece of gear could have a cool effect on the overall rig.

PhatTele · September 4th, 2007, 11:27 AM

Interesting idea, but I've never really put much stock into sound samples. They're fine to get an impression of what the extremes of an effect might sound like when compared to another (e.g. Magnatone vibrato vs BF Fender tremolo or a fuzz unit vs a blues distortion unit). However, I've never been able to hear the subtleties of amps or guitars in these clips.

For instance, I have three Jazzmasters. One is my number one and the other two I want to sound as close to the first as possible. I sit and play in front of one amp with all the settings the same and I can hear some slight variation, but they are all really close. Then, I move the midrange control on the amp by one notch or raise the bridge PU up by one half turn of a screw driver, and then voila, one of my seconds now sounds just like the number one. However, I doubt anybody would be able to hear that in a recording. It's such a subtle thing. It's almost a "feel" thing.

I make that point because I think a lot of what is discussed on these forums are exactly these subtleties and they often lead to really esoteric, subjective points which are difficult to describe and difficult to comprehend unless you're actually the one playing the guitar, amp, or pedal (or at least in the room when it's all being played). It's tough. I don't think you can capture this stuff adequately in sound clips.

Alamo · September 4th, 2007, 11:52 AM

Here is a site with some amp sound samples:
http://www.instituteofnoise.com/L6/ampclips.asp
the link was posted somewhere here on TDPRI before - but maybe nice to get the goal right.

ruger9 · September 4th, 2007, 12:45 PM

I think it's a great idea, BUT: the only way it would work, the only way it would be a relatively good "comparison" between amps is if YOU (or whoever) recorded ALL the samples. In the same room. With the same equipment. otherwise, it's too inconsisent to be relevant.

maestrovert · September 4th, 2007, 12:59 PM

i voted maybe.....i think it'll end up being quite complicated, and overseeing/moderating it could be problematic.

Tim Swartz · September 4th, 2007, 02:10 PM

I too don't hold a lot of stock in PC sound samples. The processing and tricks required during the recording process typically do not portray an accurate representation of the guitar/amp/effect live sound.

mistermullens · September 4th, 2007, 02:18 PM

I got the idea for a site like this when I was searching for amp demos on YouTube. While I found some samples of what I was looking for, the majority of the demos had effects in front of them and I couldn't get a real feel for the amp. I don't have anything against effects, although I prefer to plug straight in, but I wanted to hear examples of guitar and amp. I'll let the manufacturers of the pedals put the samples up on their website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maestrovert

i voted maybe.....i think it'll end up being quite complicated, and overseeing/moderating it could be problematic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruger9

I think it's a great idea, BUT: the only way it would work, the only way it would be a relatively good "comparison" between amps is if YOU (or whoever) recorded ALL the samples. In the same room. With the same equipment. otherwise, it's too inconsisent to be relevant.

These are some of the things I'm thinking about. I want the site to be simple. I want people to be able to read the description, click the link and hear the sample. Sort of like a YouTube video demo, but audio only. It doesn't have to be perfect, but I'd like for it to sound decent.

I may start small with a blog and go from there. We'll see. I'm very interested in reading more responses on the topic.

Also, how many of you would be willing to record a sample for a site like this?

Daddy Elmis · September 4th, 2007, 05:16 PM

I'm with Johnny C. -- it's like looking at paint samples on line, it all depends on how good the input was and how good my monitor/card is to see the "real" color. Most online sound samples don't really give you a good idea of what the rig will sound like in your rehearsal space.

G-P · September 4th, 2007, 06:53 PM

Getting a standardized protocol implemented would be like trying to herd cats.

Perhaps it would be possible to get a generalized idea of an amps character, but there are simply too many variables to account for.

And then if you add effects on top of that, well you're just asking for one big CF. Is the pedal AC powered or battery powered, is it being fed through a power conditioner? What cables are being used, how long are they? What other effects are in the chain?

It quickly spirals out of control to the point of being useless in any practical terms.

mistermullens · September 4th, 2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-P

And then if you add effects on top of that, well you're just asking for one big CF. Is the pedal AC powered or battery powered, is it being fed through a power conditioner? What cables are being used, how long are they? What other effects are in the chain?

It quickly spirals out of control to the point of being useless in any practical terms.

Not the goal of the site, but part of the reason sound samples will just be guitar and amp.

G-P · September 4th, 2007, 07:50 PM

MM, I was mainly addressing dolfan19 on of the issues associated with including pedals. although he did mention that including pedals was opening Pandora's box. I just have keyboard diarrhea. Why say in three words what one can say in and entire post?

dolfan19's explanation was just to elegant and this is suppose to be about Rock-n-Roll, baby!

View Poll Results: Would you be interested in a website devoted to guitar & amp sound samples?
Yes	28	56.00%
No	12	24.00%
Maybe	10	20.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

September 3rd, 2007, 09:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
mistermullens Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 2,105 51 Photos	Would you guys be interested this? Lately I've been thinking about starting a website that is strictly for amp and guitar samples. It would be a very basic site but would have a detailed listing of the amp & guitar settings pertaining to the mp3 and how the sound sample was recorded. Of course there is no way I can record all the samples myself, so I would have to rely on volunteers for the majority of the samples. So what do you think? __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

September 4th, 2007, 10:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 2,895 10 Photos	I would like it, but I have my reservations. Pedals sound different with just about every amp they're plugged into. Plus, there's how the dials are set. I have mp3s of pedals from $20 - $400. None of them sound anything like the actual pedal that I received. Guitars would be cool, if you're dealing with only 2 or 3 'standard' amps, no effects... Pickup comparisons would be fairly useless, as most pickups can be tweaked with tone controls, amp controls, micing, or even recording tricks. Amps could at least be given some sort of baseline, as long as a 'standard' was set up for the controls, the micing technique is dead-nuts consistent, and no doctoring is done at the board, computer, etc., other than optimizing the overall level. The biggest caveat is that if different guitars are used (say a Tele, a Strat, and LP), then the amp typically has to be adjusted for different guitars. I don't think that multi-channel amps could be done well - too many knobs to twiddle, and then record the setting of. But - the site could be lots of fun, and if nothing else, it would highlight that a certain piece of gear could have a cool effect on the overall rig. __________________

September 4th, 2007, 12:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
ruger9 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackettstown, NJ Posts: 1,603	I think it's a great idea, BUT: the only way it would work, the only way it would be a relatively good "comparison" between amps is if YOU (or whoever) recorded ALL the samples. In the same room. With the same equipment. otherwise, it's too inconsisent to be relevant. __________________ "I've got callouses, from all those nights, spent playin' a Telecaster, 'till my fingers bled Bud Light" - Travis Tritt

September 4th, 2007, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,184	i voted maybe.....i think it'll end up being quite complicated, and overseeing/moderating it could be problematic. __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

September 3rd, 2007, 09:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
dolfan19 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gillette, NJ Age: 42 Posts: 271	If it includes samples of different pedals, it would be a godsend. Of course, having samples of each pedal played through different combos of guitars and amps would be opening Pandora's Box. Great idea, though.

September 3rd, 2007, 11:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
blacklove Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Small Pond Posts: 419 6 Photos	Only if it was all video with good sound, hardly any talking, and the drop-d hesher crowd was in a section that I wouldn't stumble upon by accident. Jim Weider's little YouTube clips (probably pirated) were excellent.

September 4th, 2007, 01:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	Definitely not. Its too subjective to be able to really mean much of anything to me. Sometimes there's a subtle give-and-take that you just can't exactly feel in a sound clip. Micing and many other slight factors that would be too hard to replicate and lend itself to getting a lowest common denominator. For those interested in getting a generalized sorta "flavor" for an amp, maybe it would be very cool to them though... so I guess its a matter of preference.

September 4th, 2007, 03:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Edward Gibbon TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: europe Posts: 75	I think the idea is GREAT. There are a few things you could do to make samples more comparable with each other (does this sentence make any sense?). a) Have the players record a few licks with the effect off. Then with the effect on. b)For each OD pedal, various samples: one with the effect off, one with the effect on a clean amp, one with the effect in a moderately crunchy amp, one where the player would try and point to the flaws of the pedal (for example hiss and background noises, dirty delay trails, popping sounds when switching on, lack of versatility). c) As you mentioned: Have the player describe his exact setup, including pickups, effects, amp and recording setup. d) The player should have the possibility to briefly comment his sample, and maybe describe the tonal differences between the sample and his real world experience with the pedal. Also, listeners could leave a comment or ask a question pertaining to the sample. e) If the sample is about an obscure boutique thing, it would be great if a few licks were played on an acknowledged standard (e.g: end the sample with a few licks on a TS9, or a DD-6). A nice way to enhance the site would be a page listing the gear used famous recordings. So you could hear the gear in a pro recording situation. Another cool thing would be direct links to samples or vids made by the manufacturers themselves. I mean, I bought some B*ss stuff that sounded nothing like it did on their website. Direct comparison between what you can achieve at home and in a recording facility is the idea. You need to be aware of the Youtube competition though. Lots of gear demos there already. Just my 2c. Edward.

September 4th, 2007, 11:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 703	Interesting idea, but I've never really put much stock into sound samples. They're fine to get an impression of what the extremes of an effect might sound like when compared to another (e.g. Magnatone vibrato vs BF Fender tremolo or a fuzz unit vs a blues distortion unit). However, I've never been able to hear the subtleties of amps or guitars in these clips. For instance, I have three Jazzmasters. One is my number one and the other two I want to sound as close to the first as possible. I sit and play in front of one amp with all the settings the same and I can hear some slight variation, but they are all really close. Then, I move the midrange control on the amp by one notch or raise the bridge PU up by one half turn of a screw driver, and then voila, one of my seconds now sounds just like the number one. However, I doubt anybody would be able to hear that in a recording. It's such a subtle thing. It's almost a "feel" thing. I make that point because I think a lot of what is discussed on these forums are exactly these subtleties and they often lead to really esoteric, subjective points which are difficult to describe and difficult to comprehend unless you're actually the one playing the guitar, amp, or pedal (or at least in the room when it's all being played). It's tough. I don't think you can capture this stuff adequately in sound clips.

September 4th, 2007, 11:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Alamo Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Berlin, Germany Age: 50 Posts: 628	Here is a site with some amp sound samples: http://www.instituteofnoise.com/L6/ampclips.asp the link was posted somewhere here on TDPRI before - but maybe nice to get the goal right.

September 4th, 2007, 02:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,812	I too don't hold a lot of stock in PC sound samples. The processing and tricks required during the recording process typically do not portray an accurate representation of the guitar/amp/effect live sound. __________________

September 4th, 2007, 05:16 PM	#13 (permalink)
Daddy Elmis Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 961	I'm with Johnny C. -- it's like looking at paint samples on line, it all depends on how good the input was and how good my monitor/card is to see the "real" color. Most online sound samples don't really give you a good idea of what the rig will sound like in your rehearsal space. __________________ Elwood: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we're sure glad to be here in Cocomo tonight. We're the Good Ole' Blues Brothers Boys Band from Chicago. I sure hope you like our show. I'm Elwood, this here's my brother Jake.

September 4th, 2007, 06:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
G-P Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PDX Posts: 146	Getting a standardized protocol implemented would be like trying to herd cats. Perhaps it would be possible to get a generalized idea of an amps character, but there are simply too many variables to account for. And then if you add effects on top of that, well you're just asking for one big CF. Is the pedal AC powered or battery powered, is it being fed through a power conditioner? What cables are being used, how long are they? What other effects are in the chain? It quickly spirals out of control to the point of being useless in any practical terms.

September 4th, 2007, 07:50 PM	#16 (permalink)
G-P Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PDX Posts: 146	MM, I was mainly addressing dolfan19 on of the issues associated with including pedals. although he did mention that including pedals was opening Pandora's box. I just have keyboard diarrhea. Why say in three words what one can say in and entire post? dolfan19's explanation was just to elegant and this is suppose to be about Rock-n-Roll, baby!