Am I the only one experiencing this awkward attack behavior with this amp model???
No, you're not the only one. But I have problems with the attack most models. I end up using compression or settings that effectively are compression.
For almost all U2 stuff, I use drive > delay > amp > cab > reverb. For those who don't know, there isn't an effects loop on the AC30 but for U2 stuff, you have to put the delay before the amp anyway to make it sound right.
I recently sat down with an AC30 (H2) and started matching (again) with the path mentioned above sending it to a CLR and pre amp block out to the AC30. Yes, I'm fully aware of the mic-ed cab vs. in the room. My primary goal was to make them sound as close as possible despite this. I did get fairly close but the attack just wasn't right. As best as I can describe it, it sounds too sharp, not round, and the higher the volume, the more it is apparent. Ear fatigue is an issue when doing this as the H2 does not have a master volume... so to get the edge of breakup, I have to drive it or turn up the drive which is... loud.
Anyway, my approach to changing the attack is with compression. I didn't do enough in this session but it's important to get the right frequencies at the right volume at the right time. While listening to your clip, I can hear right of the bat that the attack is too harsh and contains the wrong frequencies. The recording of Iris has little bass and is a lot more airy and sparkly. I think the attack is mostly missing and what we hear (and like) is the ring after the attack. Choose your poison I guess... dial back the gain, cut some bass and some mid, use a fast attack compressor or use expansion instead, dial back the dynamics in the amp, physically strum a lot lighter, etc but above all figure out how to make that ring overpower the sound... maybe that will be enough without fully addressing the attack.
