Direct/Line out

Bidley

So my amps are pretty old (Carvin XV112 and Marshall 8100) and they both have a "direct out" or "line out" on them.

Historically, is this used to plug into a desk or something? Can I use this for recording if I use a cab sim/impulse? I'm a bit of a 'tard with this function.

ecc83

Found a schematic of the 8100 very quickly. Yes you could use the line out for recording*. The jack has an attenuation of about 26dB and don't forget you should have a load on the speaker out if you want silent recording. Yes, I KNOW it is a sstate amp but you CAN bugger them into an OC of you drive them very hard. The line out also has a very crude "fizz" filter so it should not sound too bad and you can always "EM" it a bit more in software!

*What are you recording on? If a desktop or anything mains powered you might run into hum loop troubles. Orchid Electronics do a super little isolator transformer or there is a two channel "Earth isolator on Amazon" very cheap and IMHO more than good enough for guitar. OR! You can diss' the screen one end of the cable.

Dave.

Bidley

Cheers @ecc83 !

I'll be recording it on a little USB desk on my desktop. So I need a load of some sort, that's good to know.

Thanks for the heads up on the earthing issues! All great info.