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Do I need a reamp when I just want to record pedals?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:03 pm
by solitud
Hi all!
I am new to the world of pedals and have a question regarding "reamping".
I am mainly into synths and I am interested to build a small pedalboard for processing the synths.
I don't have an actual amp, though, just pedals.

I have read about reamping and how you need them to unbalance signals from a DAW/Mixer and do some impedance adjustment.
I have not much knowledge about this impedance topic and my question is:

is there a difference between using a reamp like this vs just bringing the mixers fader down a bit to prevent clipping?
(I swear I have used the search function :)* )

Re: Do I need a reamp when I just want to record pedals?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:18 pm
by blakestree
A lot of cats will tell you you don't need a re-amp.

I use this one.
http://saturnworkspedals.com/product/reamp-box/
Affordable and effective.

Re: Do I need a reamp when I just want to record pedals?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:23 pm
by solitud
Thanks! So you tell me I need one?
If that depends on the pedals: I have a BigMuff and a Strymon Timline and I am planning to get more obscure delays/reverbs.

Re: Do I need a reamp when I just want to record pedals?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:26 pm
by DRodriguez
You don't need one, but it can help. If impedance issues arise, you can use a much cheaper impedance matcher.

Whirlwind is the industry standard for a lot of quality utility audio products, and their Whirlwind Little IMP Lo to Hi Impedance Matcher is only $15.

If you want something more versatile, get a passive DI and run it backwards. The whirlwind IMP 2 will do the job for decades of heavy use for $50 and double as a DI if you want to record things.

Re: Do I need a reamp when I just want to record pedals?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:29 pm
by blakestree
Yeah, it all depends on what you've got goin' on. Sometimes the difference is subtle to negligible, sometimes it's dramatic.

Re: Do I need a reamp when I just want to record pedals?

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:36 pm
by solitud
I see, thanks will check that!