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What’s new at Zystrix? Read on… September 29, 2025 Re-amping Guitar Tracks in Your DAW (part two of two) In the last issue we witnessed the introduction of Re-amping Guitar Tracks in Your DAW (click here for a refresher). This time we’re going to examine the details of a perfect re-amp. Is it possible? Well, sit back and relax. Welcome to Zystrix, the heartbeat of the universe. Where creativity and free- thinking have more value than conformity. Background Artwork The colorful artwork that surrounds the edges of this website is invisible to many cell phone users. It’s included here (with others) for your enjoyment. Multiple copies are tiled together for a cohesive and seamless background seen all around this page. Enjoy. Guitar Re-Amping part two of two It really isn’t magic, but it can sound magical when it’s done correctly. And the sound options are nearly endless now or even later as equipment sound continues to improve. It’s also nice to be able to dial in the perfect tone in real time while listening to the playback. Shall we? Let The Fun Begin Routing for re-amping is no big secret, and it just makes common sense. There are two basic ways to wire for re-amping you’ll have to memorize. The first one is the recording of the initial signal as seen in this first animated diagram below. The recording goes from the guitar to either a high- to-low impedance box or a splitter cable or box so the guitarist can record to the DAW (or whatever you are recording to) and also an amp or modeler or something where the musician can hear the approximate guitar sound in the mix or with the live band. What I usually do is send the split clean guitar signal to a modeler instead of an amp so there is less bleed into the drum microphones. Then that signal is sent to a several channel headphone mixer so the guitarist can hear and personally adjust the band mix however needed in their headphones. Everyone in the band has this option if they prefer. Also, if the guitarist uses a wa-wa pedal or some other kind of pedal that the guitarist “plays” then this is added before the splitter box. One cool thing about using an amplifier in this method above, though, is the guitarist can use feedback to give the recording an out-of-control loud amplifier type of feel. And that signal can then be re-amped through a modeler if desired. Or try taping a small speaker turned up loud to the guitar body for some cool infinite sustain. Or try playing the guitar with the headstock touching the speaker cabinet. Cool. The Return Trip of Re-Amping The second routing you’ll need to commit to memory is the re- recording of the initial clean guitar signal from the DAW to the processing and then back to the recorder (see diagram below). In this example the clean recorded guitar signal is sent to pedals (or not), then to the amp with a microphone (or maybe a modeler), and this microphone signal (or modeler signal) goes back to the DAW (or recorder) and is recorded (re-amp complete). There are many ways to do this but this animated diagram is probably the most common. Advanced Guitar Re-Amping We have just scratched the surface of the re- amping possibilities, but you’ll need some empty recorder tracks available. If you enjoy the sound of multiple guitars you may enjoy playing the same part twice and separating the tracks to far left and far right in the stereo field. This method can use different guitars through the same amp sound. It can also use different amp sounds recorded with the same guitar. The possibilities go on and on. Make sure your guitar is in tune or this method can sound horrible. And using the TC Electronic Mimiq pedal makes the work go even faster. Make sure the tracks are panned hard left and hard right for realism. Also, use a program to test for phasing issues for a more consonant sound. There are a number of plugins for phase repair but I prefer the Waves InPhase. The Melda MAutoAline is also quite good and it’s a little easier and cheaper. There’s yet one more method for double tracking. Try the Record Once and Sound Twice method of multiple guitar tracks (see the Zystrix issue How to Double Track a Guitar the Easy Way). There are recorded examples available there. Sorry, but this method only works in the digital domain. Guitar Re-Amping Part Two of Two Conclusion Re-amping is commonplace in studios today. And it sure helps with dialing in the next flamin’ guitar sound(s). And it’s also great for repairing guitar playing mistakes before the re-amping because the recorded guitar is clean and unadulterated. This makes it easier to isolate problem guitar playing areas and find the place to split the phrase. Also consider the Mimiq pedal by TC Electronics. If you like layered guitars it’s cool as hell, and there’s no need to re-record guitar tracks. And don’t forget about checking your mixed tracks for possible phasing issues. No one wants mosquito tone. And there you have it. I hope this re-amping special has inspired you to invent the ultimate guitar voice. Don’t touch that dial… Stay tuned next time… Do you need a fat sound on a budget? What are the main guitar pedals a person needs to cover most sonic situations? It’s less than you may think, and we’ll do it the cheapest way possible. And there’s yet another piano tune in both MP3 and video formats called Unexpected Surprise. Maybe I’ll see you then. Despite the high cost of living it still remains popular.

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ZYSTRIX POPULAR FREE DOWNLOADS The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024 It’s another epic issue, and there’s lots of FREE downloads here. And the Honorable Mention Synthesizer List might surprise you. This list is long, so prepare yourself. And if it seems like too much to take in, I warned you. Click here for the official list of The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024. The Best Free Mastering Plugins Your DAW (digital audio workstation) will be so happy. And so will you. Here are the best of the best for EQ, compression, limiting, tube and tape emulation, reverb, delay, and honorable mentions. This list is a must have with lots of downloads. Check out The Best FREE Plugins for Mastering 2024. Here’s a free download of almost one and a half hours of original neo-classical solo piano by Dangerous Neighbors. This full length album called Piano Top to Bottom consists of 18 original piano pieces with the final piece in two movements. There is a bonus track making 20 files total. 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There is a free glossary of the largest list of mortuary slang in the world. The Free Dangerous Neighbors Album The Fluid, Embalmed for Life comes included as part of the audio book and parts are available here as a free download. The paperback book is available for sale at Amazon dot com. I have no control over these sales; because of the Amazon agreement I cannot offer complete paperback or complete audio books here. And for some reason most book sales go to Japan. Who would have thunk it? Click here for free audio books, book reading samples, music samples, etc. Take me back to the top of the page. Zystrix Privacy Policy THE FINE PRINT: Zystrix is a world leader in personal privacy and we take your privacy very seriously. We do not store, sell, give away, or barter with any of your personal or private information including your email, IP address, links clicked, location, habits, tastes, online activities and behaviors, or anything else considered personal or private information. 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