What is the difference between the REC OUT of the AMP1 and the BluBOX?
Handy helper: the REC OUT of the AMP1
For applications in which a direct signal from the AMP1 is required (e.g. if the use of a guitar cabinet is not possible), the REC OUT offers a great way of tapping such a signal. For this purpose, the AMP1 works with a very complex, fully analogue speaker simulation. A total of 7 different filters simulate the sound character of a guitar cabinet. The signal sounds open and fresh, without any unwanted scratchy frequencies, delivering a powerful bass without booming.
In short: the REC OUT offers a great sounding and super compact solution for a direct signal without the use of additional devices.
The professional solution: BluBOX VSC
For everyone who wants to record their electric guitar perfectly, we have the BluBOX VSC: a professional impulse response speaker simulation in DI box form with a virtual collection of the most tried and tested loudspeaker cabs in music history. It is a first-class sounding solution for connecting any guitar amplifier directly to a PA or recording desk. With the experience of 30 years of studio and stage, Thomas Blug carefully selected 16 legendary cabinets, recorded them with the best microphones and digitally reproduced them with the help of the latest convolution technology.
Differences between REC OUT and BluBOX
Analog vs. digital
And here we come to the differences between the REC OUT of the AMP1 and the BluBOX. The attentive reader will already have noticed the first difference: the REC OUT of the AMP1 is analog, the BluBOX uses the latest digital convolution technology and works with impulse responses (IR).
While analog technology cannot precisely reproduce the acoustic complexity of loudspeakers, convolution technology reproduces the tonal diversity and uniqueness of each speaker exactly.
For clarification, a look at the frequency curve comparison between the REC OUT of the AMP1 Mercury Edition (green graph) and the "Stack 1970" of the BluBOX (red graph) helps:
Both the REC OUT of the AMP1 Mercury Edition and Stack 1970 of the BluBOX emulate Thomas Blug's favorite cabinet, a 1970 Marshall 4x12" fitted with old Celestion Greenbacks, each rated at 25 watts and 55Hz. While the general frequency image of the cab is mapped with analog filters it would only be possible to reproduce the actual complexity of the cab with the use of hundreds of single-band filters. With the help of IRs, though, this complexity, which results from the interaction of various comb filter effects in the cab, can be precisely captured and reproduced .
Info: in open (open back) guitar cabs, the above mentioned comb filter effects occur much less than in closed (closed back) cabs. The frequency curve of open cabs is therefore usually flatter than closed cabs, which is why fans of open cabinets should appreciate the sound of the REC OUT.
1 cabinet vs. 16 cabinets
While the REC OUT of the AMP1 of course only simulates a single cabinet (with the "Silver Edition" and "Mercury Edition" Thomas' Marshall 4x12" cabinet, with the Iridium Edition an oversized cabinet with V30 inspiration), the BluBOX offers a wide selection of 16 of the most tried and tested loudspeaker cabinets in musical history. This of course makes the BluBOX much more flexible.
DeleteBalanced XLR output
While the REC OUT of the AMP1 is designed as a jack socket, the BluBOX has an output transformer and a balanced XLR output, with which even longer cable runs can be covered without hum or loss.
DeleteAcademy of Tone, episode 55
In the weekly BluGuitar livestream Academy of Tone, Thomas dedicated a whole episode to the topic REC OUT and BluBOX: