monkeymanx
Inspired
I've been using mainly Ownhammer for IRs over the years and have a bunch of different packs. I started trying out some of the ML Sound Lab IRs that came built into the Axe FX III. I was really digging the Citrus and Zilla offerings in there. From what I can tell though, ML Sound Lab seems like you hear the sound of the cab more than the Ownhammer IRs. As in, with Ownhammer you are hearing more of the sound of the speaker than the different cabs.
After having that observation it led me to the cab rear mic in the Ownhammer packs. I found adding that to the front mics brings more of the sound of the cab into the IR blend. This has really opened up the blends I do in Cab Lab now. Also discovered the mid mic that is in the Ownhammer packs provides a nice defined mid boost if needed.
One thing I did do though is pick up the ML Greatest Hits pack because it's simple and quick which I like. I have mixed feelings though after actually playing through the pack. One thing I noticed out of all the cabs in the pack, none of them have that mid presence that Ownhammer has. It's as if the mid frequency is being captured differently probably based on mic placement. It isn't good or bad, just different.
I guess folks have a preference between these different offerings out there. We are at no shortage of IRs now and there are tons of choices. I think for me though I prefer the Ownhammer captures. Also, I generally don't use the MD421 on any of my blends because it's really nasally. I'm thinking ML uses that mic which may turn me off to some of the Greatest Hits captures. There are some good ones though in that pack and they tend to blend well with my blends from my Ownhammer packs which is good.
Overall though, I feel like the Greatest Hits isn't a versatile as I thought it would end up being. And maybe that's the thing with these pre done blends is they end up being hit or miss for your application. This is what keeps me away from a bunch of the "mix ready" ones that pop up. EQing a cab after getting a good capture with the mics isn't that difficult especially considering the Axe has some good ability to EQ in your patches. Of of course you can EQ after recording which works too.
Again these are just my observations and opinions after sitting down and playing my guitar for about 4 hours last night going down the ever so popular IR rabbit hole yet again.
After having that observation it led me to the cab rear mic in the Ownhammer packs. I found adding that to the front mics brings more of the sound of the cab into the IR blend. This has really opened up the blends I do in Cab Lab now. Also discovered the mid mic that is in the Ownhammer packs provides a nice defined mid boost if needed.
One thing I did do though is pick up the ML Greatest Hits pack because it's simple and quick which I like. I have mixed feelings though after actually playing through the pack. One thing I noticed out of all the cabs in the pack, none of them have that mid presence that Ownhammer has. It's as if the mid frequency is being captured differently probably based on mic placement. It isn't good or bad, just different.
I guess folks have a preference between these different offerings out there. We are at no shortage of IRs now and there are tons of choices. I think for me though I prefer the Ownhammer captures. Also, I generally don't use the MD421 on any of my blends because it's really nasally. I'm thinking ML uses that mic which may turn me off to some of the Greatest Hits captures. There are some good ones though in that pack and they tend to blend well with my blends from my Ownhammer packs which is good.
Overall though, I feel like the Greatest Hits isn't a versatile as I thought it would end up being. And maybe that's the thing with these pre done blends is they end up being hit or miss for your application. This is what keeps me away from a bunch of the "mix ready" ones that pop up. EQing a cab after getting a good capture with the mics isn't that difficult especially considering the Axe has some good ability to EQ in your patches. Of of course you can EQ after recording which works too.
Again these are just my observations and opinions after sitting down and playing my guitar for about 4 hours last night going down the ever so popular IR rabbit hole yet again.