Aradaz Amp 2 Green, the second version of Aradaz Amp 2 has been released.
Features:
Thanks to Niksounds at kvraudio, he told me that there was a bug in the previous cab simulator on Sonar 7. I think I found the bug, but I'm not to sure if it's the right one because I don't have Sonar 7 installed in my PC.
You can download the original GuitarHack Impulse Responses from here. I found it yesterday, the old impulse link is broken down. He has a magic touch of making impulse responses, I really like them a lot. You can use KeFIR to host them as cabinet simulator.
Ok folks, let's try the update, I hope it was the right bug that I caught... hup!
Download Link:
has been updated again here
Equalizer (EQ) is a signal processor that used to equalized or balanced any signal frequency level. There are three common types of EQ, shelving, sweep and parametric.
Shelving EQ is only has one parameter that used to control loudness (dB) of the frequency. For example, 3 band shelving EQ which only has 3 knobs (Bass, Mid, Treble), we could only change those 3 fixed frequencies. 15 and 13 band frequencies are ussualy called 1/3 or 2/3 octave graphic equalizer.
Sweep EQ has two parameters, which are parameter to control loudness (dB) and parameter to choose frequency (Hz). This type of EQ is ussualy found on professional mixer. Find the frequency that want to be changed and then increase (boost) or decrease (cut) the frequency loudness. 
Parametric EQ has three parameters, which are loudness (dB), frequency (Hz) and bandwidth (octave) parameters. This type of EQ can be used as shelving and sweep eq. We can do alot of things when using this EQ such as removing hum, hiss or any unwanted sound without changing the overall sound. We could also adding more byte/edge or brightness to the sound by using this EQ. 
Related Posts:
Electric Guitar Mixing
I made this VST plugin a few hours ago. Suddenly I got an idea of how to make a cabinet simulator - combinator. Combinator?? Yup, it mixes 2 cabinet impulse responses. I'm using 2 guitarhack impulse responses ("center" and "edge") to make this plugin.
We can control the ratio between two cabinets (edge/center). "0" for 100% edge, "1" for 100% center and 0 > MIXTURE(Combination) > 1.
Cabinet Simulator VST (Beta) Features:
- Edge/Center parameter
- Volume parameter
- up to 96 kHz sample rate supports
- No-GUI
Please let me know if you found another great free cabinet impulse responses on the internet (write down in the comment box). I have a plan to make a better version of this (free of course).
Thank you..
Related Posts:
Guitar VST
Guitar Cabinet Simulator
Cabinet Simulator VST (Beta) Download Link:
has been updated here
DI-Box is used to convert an unbalanced signal to be balanced. The advantage of using balanced signal is indispensable to ensure signal quality especially when using long cables. That's why DI-Box is always used in Live situation. So, how to use DI-Box in recording studio that doesn't use long cables?
Reasons of using DI-box in recording studio:
1. Alter TS/TRS Jack to XLR
Console in many recording studio uses XLR connectors. Commonly, instruments use TS / TRS jack connectors, therefore it makes the sound engineer works easier and faster to convert these connectors.
2. Impendance Conversion
A DI-Box allows you to pick up a signal directly from an unbalanced, high impendance output, such an electric guitar into the recording console line inputs that have low impendance connectors.
3. Paralel Connection
For example, we want to record guitar signals into two tracks. The first signal goes directly to recording console and the other goes to mic'd guitar amplifier speaker before it feeds to recording console.
4. Cabinet Simulator
Some DI-Box have cabinet simulator featured. At least two DI-boxes (that I know) which have this feature, there are Behringer GI100 and Hughess & Kettner Red Box.
Related Posts:
Guitar Recording Techniques
Computer Guitar Amplifier
All of the latest Aradaz VST download links are on the right side bar. Just right click on the plugin's name which you want to download and then save as.
I have removed all previous version of the VST. So, only the latest versions are available to download.
*edited August 8, 2010
Since blogspot has a new static page feature, I moved the download links on the new download page.
Thanks...
I'm working on Aradaz Amp 2 Green for a week now. It has been 90 % done. Making GUI is still the longest part of the time. The GUI looks similar with the White version but the sound isn't. I hope you'll like it...
-Aradaz-
This meant to be a guideline to help you get started of mixing an electric guitar. But you should remember that there are no "one preset solution" for everything when doing mixing. So, keep practice...
These are some preparation that we shouldn't forget before recording guitar:
I have written a post that related with impulse response to use as a cabinet simulator. This time, I want to show you how to modify your existing impulse responses to make it more suitable for your audio needs.
In this case, I'm modifying cabinet impulse response for AradazAmp using KeFIR and reaeq VST plugins on Wavosaur as the audio editing software.
These are some steps of modifying impulse response:
This is my last "Guitar Recording Techniques" post. My previous two posts explain you how to records guitar sound by using hardware and software seperately.
Maybe you really like the sound that your amplifier makes but you don't have any other cabinets or mics to find another sound's character or your cabinet are too good for your old amp or anything. Be creative, why don't you combine them? We can combine hardware and software to make some powerfull guitar sounds.
So here it is:
4. Hardware and software combination, there are lots of free cabinet simulator or cabinet impulse responses on the internet, we can use them to replace our "real" cabinet. Here is the schema:
guitar -> (input)amplifier(line out) -> DI-BOX -> DAW
CAUTION:
"If you are using a tube amp, it's very important to connect an impendance load preferably a speaker-to the direct link to cabinet output in order to prevent damage to your amp"
Records your processed (amplified) guitar signal to the DAW, and then use some cabinet simulator plugins on the DAW plugins slot. You can start finding your guitar sound from there. Don't forget to turn off your DI-BOX cabinet simulator feature and reduce the incoming signal before entering DAW soundcard to make sure you have a good level signal.
Plus:
This is my second post of Guitar Recording Techniques. My previous post describes about recording guitar using hardware, so it's time to use software to process your guitar signal tracks. You can read Computer Guitar Amplifier and Guitar Cabinet Simulator that I've wrote before.
Let's continue counting:
3. Full software, this is the easiest way to record our guitar signal. We just have to record the dry guitar signal straight into DAW and do the process using virtual guitar amp plugin such as Aradaz Amps VST.
Schema:
guitar -> preamp -> DAW
As you can see above, we use recording preamp before DAW soundcard. It used to match guitar impendance with soundcard line inputs. You can use DI-Box if you don't have any preamp.
plus:
This is my first post of Guitar Recording Techniques. I'll describe some of guitar recording techniques starts from hardware, software and combination from both hardware and software. Maybe you didn't realize some of the techniques that I'll share. I'll also write the "plus" and "minus" for each one of them.
There are various ways to records our guitar tracks to DAW. Our main goal of trying many techniques are to get the best guitar sound we want. Time, place and price should be our consideration of choosing which technique should be taken.
1. Full Hardware (1), this is the most common way of recording guitar. We need guitar amplifier, cabinet (speaker), mic and mic preamp as our main equipments. This technique is ussualy called "Miking Technique". It looks like this on the schema:
guitar -> (input) amplifier -> speaker <-> mic -> mic preamp -> DAW
Sound that comes from the speaker is captured by mic to records in DAW. We have to do a lot of experiments with mic placement when recording guitar amp's speaker. Placing the mic closer to the centre gives a more focused sound, while moving to the edge gives a more open, slightly warmer sound. Various positions and trying different mics may produce different results.
plus:
Ok, it's time for me to write the Aradaz Maximizer 5 user guide:
Maximize knob is used to control the level of incoming signal.
Character knob can be used to control the speed of attack and release value, for fast music with fast transient set this parameter at small value (0.02 - 0.3). For general type of music, 0.5 should be fine.
Output knob is used to control the volume of the signal that passes the limiting stage. Set this parameter at -0.1 dB to -0.3 dB for a save audio master (mastering).
Normal or Fast are types of limiting stage. Use Fast mode for a very fast music such as punk, metal or anything similar. Use Normal mode to keep the music dynamic but don't forget to set the Character knob properly.
Some friends at kvraudio.com forum told me that there's a bug in Aradaz Maximizer 5 on reaper. The maximize parameter doesn't work at all. I was searching the bug last night and found it in an hour. This parameter is working properly now.
Please download the Aradaz Maximizer 5 v1.2 on the right side bar of this blog and keep sending me e-mail if you found another bugs.
Thank You...
Turn Your PC into Guitar Amplifier (Beginner)
Don't you know that we can turn our PC to be a nice virtual guitar amplifier?
What we need:
PC
Computer specifications are depend on software requirements
Audio Interface (Formerly known as soundcard)
This one is use to convert the analog sound format into digital format. The first thing to know when choosing an audio interface is it resolution and sample rate such as 16bit/44.1kHz, 24bit/96kHz etc. If you are planning to buy a new audio interface, I suggest to choose at least an audio interface that has 24bit/48kHz because todays audio recording usually use this audio format.
Audio interface needs driver to work optimal. Some of these drivers are ASIO, MME, WDM and GSIF. ASIO is an audio interface's driver that developed by Steinberg which has low latency and suitable for realtime application. For an old soundcard or an onboard soundcard that doesn't have an ASIO driver, ASIO4ALL can be used as an alternative. This generic ASIO driver can be downloaded from www.asio4all.com
Software
AradazAmp & AradazAmp2 are VST plugins that can be used to turn your PC into Virtual Guitar Amplifier. We need a VST host to use these plugins and a good ASIO driver to play it in realtime. There are some freeware VST host that can be downloaded from the internet, such as Tobybear MiniHost and Hermann Seib VST Host.
Preamp / DI BOX / Mixer
Audio interface's line inputs are inappropriate with guitar impendances. Preamp / DI BOX / mixer should be used to fix this problem. If you don't use Preamp / DI BOX / mixer for guitar signal, you'll hear an ugly sound from your speaker.
Cables
The hardest one to explain, just make sure that you use the best cables you can get to play or record your guitar sound.
I have updated Aradaz Maximizer 5 to v1.1.
There are small changes in maximize and output knobs. These knobs increase / decrease with 0.1 dB steps when adjusted. Maximize parameter is from 0 dB to 20 dB and the output parameter from 0 dB to -20 dB.
My friend Donkey Tugger has made a song using both AradazAmp and AradazAmp2_White for guitar parts.
Download his cool song here:
http://www.donkeytugger.co.uk/donkeyt_once.mp3
Thank You,
After 5 months trials and errors of making loudness maximizer vst, the algorithm which I'm looking for is finally found. I'have reworked the previous AradazMaximizer5 and I still use that name for this new maximizer VST plugin.
AradazMaximizer5 Reworked Version has better performance of limiting audio signal. It has no pumping effect, easy to use, simple and free.
Aradaz Maximizer 5 Reworked Version features:
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