Reamping Explained

Reamping sends previously recorded direct instrument signals through amplifiers, allowing tone shaping after the original performance. This technique separates performance capture from tone selection, providing flexibility impossible with traditional amplifier recording.

The Reamping Process

During initial recording, the guitar signal records directly without amplification. This clean DI signal captures the performance without any tone committed.

Later, this recorded signal plays back through the DAW and routes to a reamp box. The reamp box converts the line-level output to instrument-level signal appropriate for amplifier input.

The amplifier receives the signal as if a guitar were plugged in directly. The amp’s output is then recorded using standard microphone techniques.

Why Reamp

Reamping separates the performance moment from tone decisions. The guitarist can focus entirely on playing while tone refinement happens later without time pressure.

Unlimited experimentation becomes possible. Different amps, settings, microphone positions, and rooms can be tried without requiring the guitarist to play repeatedly.

Problems discovered during mixing can be addressed. If the original amp tone doesn’t work in context, reamping provides another chance without re-recording the performance.

Equipment Requirements

A reamp box converts interface line output to instrument level with appropriate impedance. Direct boxes work in reverse don’t provide correct impedance matching.

Popular reamp boxes include the Radial ProRMP, Little Labs Red Eye, and various affordable alternatives. Quality affects how accurately the conversion maintains guitar signal character.

The output of the DAW routes to the reamp box, which feeds the amplifier input. The amp output records to a new track through microphone and preamp.

Recording the DI Signal

Clean DI recording requires no processing that might complicate later reamping. The raw signal directly from the guitar captures the complete dynamic and frequency content.

Signal level should be healthy but not clipped. Peaks around -12 dBFS provide adequate level while leaving headroom for processing.

The DI signal may not sound interesting on its own. The thin, scratchy character represents the raw guitar signal before amplification shapes it.

Reamping Session Workflow

Playing the DI track through monitors helps the reamping engineer hear the original performance character. Understanding the dynamics and nuances guides amp setting decisions.

Adjusting amp settings while the track plays enables real-time tone evaluation. The ability to experiment without performer waiting is reamping’s key advantage.

Recording multiple amp passes to different tracks captures options. Trying several amp settings, different amps, or varied microphone positions generates material for later selection.

Software Reamping

Plugin amp simulators provide reamping-like flexibility without hardware. The DI signal processes through simulation that can be changed at any time.

This approach requires no additional equipment beyond what was used for initial DI recording. The trade-off involves potentially preferring real amp character.

Hybrid approaches use software simulation during tracking for monitoring while preserving the option to reamp through real amps later if desired.

Creative Applications

Reamping enables sounds impossible during normal performance. Playing backward guitar parts, applying extreme processing before the amp, or using unconventional signal sources all become possible.

Multiple reamping passes through different amps create layered textures. The same performance through various amplifiers builds complex sounds.

Sending non-guitar sources through guitar amps creates unique tones. Vocals, keyboards, or drums reamped through distorted guitar amps produce distinctive sounds.

Phase Considerations

When combining reamped and original DI or differently-reamped signals, phase alignment requires attention. Time differences between passes can cause cancellation or reinforcement.

Aligning reamped tracks with original timing ensures phase coherence. Most DAWs provide tools for this alignment.

The latency through reamping process may shift timing slightly. Checking alignment against the original performance prevents timing errors.