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60 Chapter 5 Distortion
To the extreme right of the Guitar Amp Pro GUI, you will find the Master knob, which
controls the output volume of the amplifier (to the speaker). Typically, in tube
amplifiers, an increase in the Master control level produces a self-compressed and
saturated sound, along with increased level, resulting in a more distorted and powerful
amp signal. In the analog domain, this results in an extreme increase in loudness. In
Guitar Amp, the Master control influences the sonic character, with the output level
being set with the Output parameter (see below).
Speaker Section
Following the selection of a Speaker type, you make further adjustments to the miking
parameters in the Speaker section.
The Centered and Off-Center buttons allow you to switch between two different
microphone positions.
Centered aligns the microphone to the center of the speaker cone. This position is also
called On Axis because the microphone capsule is approximately on the same axis
(aligned) with the center of the speaker. In this position, the speaker sounds more full
and powerful, making this setting suitable for Blues or Jazz guitar tones.
Off-Center aligns the microphone to the edge of the diaphragm. This placement is
called Close Edge or Off Axis. The end result is an amplifier signal that is much brighter
and sharper, but a little thinner. This position is more suitable for cutting rock or typical
rhythm ’n’ blues guitar tones.
The microphone Type, in conjunction with microphone placement, is equally essential
for designing the required speaker sound.
When the Condenser button is active, a studio condenser microphone emulation is
used for miking. The sound of condenser microphones is fine, transparent, and well
balanced.
The Dynamic button switches to a dynamic cardioid microphone emulation. This
microphone type sounds brighter and more cutting, in comparison to the Condenser
model. At the same time, the lower Mids become less distinctive, making the Dynamic
model more suitable for miking rock guitar tones.
Note: In practice, combining both microphone types can sound very interesting.
Duplicate the guitar track, and insert Guitar Amp Pro as an insert effect on both tracks.
Select different microphones in both Guitar Amp Pro instances, while retaining
identical settings for all other parameters, and mix the track signal levels. You can, of
course, choose to vary any other parameters, as desired.