Home recording: Inserts: using a V-amp

How can I use my V-amp for 'post processing' to add effects to an already recorded clean guitar track?

I have read that a V-amp can be used as an Insert device on a mixer. But whats the process for doing this?

[mixer] Connect V-amp to Insert loop via a Y-cable. [recording software] Solo the clean guitar track. Press record.

Won't this set-up lead to feedback? How can I get my software (n-Track) to play back a track, add effects via the mixer and then record the results back to another track.

Depends on your signal chain, and there are two ways of adding 'post processing' - insert and line out.

For an insert, you need to route the entire signal out through the V-Amp and then back into your mixer. This is generally done with a Y cable... the 'stereo' end fits into the mixer's insert jack and carries both input and output signals.

For the line out, you'd connect the mixer's Aux send to the V-amp's input. The V-amp's output is then connected to a spare channel (or two, if you want stereo) on the mixer. Set everything at unity and control the amount of effect by varying the Aux send control on the dry guitar channel.

Your PC's playback mixer should have seperate volume controls for 'line-in' and 'wave-out'. These controls are akin to the main faders on a mixing desk. If you set the 'line-in' to zero (or mute) you are telling the PC not to output through the soundcard the sounds which are being fed into the 'line-in' ... and hence there'll be no 'effected' signal going back out of the PC to the input of the V-amp.

Quite how you 'monitor' the 'effected' signal is going to be more tricky. You may have to use an external mixer, or do you have 2 outputs on the V-amp ... perhaps you can listen on headphones connected to the V-amp but still have it feeding your PC?

Cheers, Steve W

Thanks, Steve. But I've decided to give this bright idea of mine a wide berth. I was 'experimenting' last night and ended up tearing my headphones off and throwing them across the room as a feedback loop started to build whenever I selected a delay or compression option on the V-amp! I'll stick to software-based effects on the PC...

No problem. If its compression, delay, reverb etc. then there's quite a few products which should fit the bill and do a very nice job. I'm given to believe you can download some from alt.binaries.sounds.utilities or various warez sites ... although I can't possibily recommend you do so!

Cheers, Steve W