Kevin, can you tell us what the four different Voicings represent ?
Certainly.
Balanced (formerly Bold, I changed some things)
Classic
Modern
Vintage
First and foremost, the difference in the voicings can be subtle depending on your playback system, what you're putting through them, and your ears. I've tried to make them all discernibly different for convolution reverb and sysex where non-linearities are not translated, but there is a quick limit to what can be done before things start to sound unnatural. To this end they are tastefully unique, but I don't suspect most will find the variation from one to another to be night and day like how the modes are.
Each voicing is differentiated by 4 primary factors in capture (in no particular order):
- The mic preamp.
- The EQ and presets.
- The placement of the cab in the room.
- The amount of absorption treatment in the room and how it is placed. In addition to the wall treatment which I leave up at all times, I have seven home made floor standing 3' x 4' gobos that I do various and sometimes strange/cool things with.
Most of these elements alone are extremely subtle, but combined they add up to make the difference. A brief description of each voicing option:
Balanced:
The sound is very even, no excessive peaks nor valleys in the frequency response by comparison to the other voicings. The sound is somewhat forward, but not the least bit in a harsh way. It is highly detailed (fast and clear) but still smooth (pleasing transformer saturation). The mic pre is the A Designs Pacifica, the EQ is the API 550a. I think this would fit any style, for any sound, and is the best all arounder and most natural sounding of the bunch. The clarity and its ability to sit slightly above things at the same relative volume level would also make it excellent for solos/leads.
Classic:
More of a crunchy and mid forward sound, will probably be choice for British rock and Marshall tones. Mic pre and EQ are the BAE 1073D.
Modern:
Heavy and punchy with emphasis on low end thump and upper mid sizzle. Very chunky with detuned guitars, and palm mutes chug like a mofo. First call for heavies, in my opinion. Mic pre and EQ are the Great River MEQ-1NV channel strip.
Vintage:
Soft and squishy with a natural sounding low mid bump that isn't boomy or murky. Not as articulate as the others but in an endearing way. I'd go this route for sounds I didn't want to be so in your face. The mic pre and EQ are the Chandler TG Channel.
I'm not going to comment on the exact EQ settings used nor the way the cab and the room are set up, I need to keep those things close to the chest for competitive reasons.
All these descriptions are how they sound to me with my source tracks, monitors, and ears; as the saying goes 'your mileage may vary'.
Very cool! Thanks for the update. So those of us who purchased the kick starter will be able to add these to our Q?
You sure can!
Is there an estimated ETA on the full release of the first library and possibly the second?
Can't really say for sure just yet.