How to run Guitar Pedals to your DAW: Tips, Tricks, and a Digital/Analog Shootout!

[@dannyk536]

Surprised that this video doesn’t have more views. Super clear and informative for someone who’s new to using an interface. Thanks!!

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

thanks so much!1 Glad it was helpful!!

[@doasty]

Thanks for saying what I was looking for immediately. I watched 10 videos before this that never flat out said it's ok or not.

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Excellent to hear! And apparently, some further research actually says using a buffered pedal in front of an interface actually improves the signal quality...so apparently, we're doing it right!

[@bowriverblues8445]

Thankyou for being straight up..I watched so many videos that after 15 minutes didn’t really give a definitive answer…

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Glad to hear! I mean, generally I think most YT'ers are worried about giving a definitive answer, only because you're working with powered devices. But I'm just presuming everyone knows not to plug an 18v power adaptor into a 9v pedal and then try to run it to their interface. (As a side note, I did once blow a 9v pedal by running 18v into it, but it was a cheap Klon clone, and I knew there was a good chance that was going to happen!)

[@jseaux]

Thanks for this. I just got an interface and last night used it for the first time. I used one of my reverb pedals just for kicks and it didn’t really sound bad at all. Everyone on YT makes it sound difficult. I don’t know if I’d run my whole pedalboard into my interface, but I’ve spent a lot of time getting used to my gear and shoving it to the side now feels like I’m wasting the time and effort I spent with them.😂

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Oh, that’s great to hear! Yeah, I’m not sure why there’s a ton of videos out there making it seem a lot more complex than it actually is…but, there are also 2 types of guitar players when it comes to pedals: 1) plug in and crank the knobs, and 2) “my pedalboard needs to contact NASA before the reverb will work.” I’m right in between. And now you are too!

[@thomashoffman92]

YOOOOOOOOOOOO a Peavey Horizon II!!! One of the best guitars ever made!

[@goodestboi9136]

Appreciate the fantastic video! Recently got my first interface. Planning to integrate my OD pedals into my setup: guitar > bd2w > ts808 > passive DI > Scarlett Solo > Ableton Live > DSP and Valhalla. Concerned about tone quality since im using the DSP’s built-in compressor which is after my OD pedals. Is there a workarounds for this? Thank you.

[@Themanofthehouse-ww7nn]

I have no experience with audio interfaces. I will be receiving my first focusrite 4i4. I've been having a hard time finding out how to connect my pedalboard to it. I just saw one video where it says you can't just go straight into it and need a reamp box? I'm so confused!

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Nah. I mean, if you’re planning on running your 100w Marshall head into your interface, then yes- but if you’re just running your pedalboard, no. You will need some kind of amp emulator running on your computer, otherwise it will basically be like running your pedalboard into a home stereo system. You’ll get signal, but nothing that actually sounds good (and is at level) You can think of it this way: the amp software is basically your “amp” and the 4i4 is your input jack. It really is that simple. That said, if you want to get complex, because you have the 4i4 you can do an FX loop for your modulation and time FX. That is going to take some routing work though, so for starters, I’d just try running everything right into the interface. To be honest, in my real rig, I’ve given up on all the fancy routing and just go in straight. Part laziness, part “no one cares”, and part “I’m not in a Pink Floyd cover band” The only other thing to keep an eye out for is if your have active or passive pickups. Active, you’ll want to make sure the Inst button isn’t on, passive: turn it on.

[@pimentocheese618]

Hi! good video. So basically all you need is to connect your pedals into the interface and that's it? I have a question. Is there any way to modify the chain order of the mix between the physical pedals and the chain in the daw? For example, i have a physical compressor pedal. But i want to use it AFTER an Eq Plugin that is in the daw. Is that possible? thanks!

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

It is...but, kinda costly. In order to do that, you need an interface with multiple outputs, which run around $400. To do it, you'd go in as normally, out of the interface to your compressor, and then back IN your compressor, then IN to your second input on your interface. A "poor man's" workaround might be to record your original track (sans compressor), and then playback, connecting your interface OUT to your Compressor IN, and then routing that to the interface...That said, there would be no way to monitor your sound, and-- as a guitar player who likes to run his compressor at the end his chain-- there's no way to capture the "feel" of the compressor in your performance. All that said, there are a bunch of really good VST compressors out there-- but yeah, there just is some magic in those little boxes, isn't there?

[@pimentocheese618]

@@TheoreticallyMedia Thanks so much for the elaborative and informative response. So given the cost, i'll be thinking if I finally do it 😂 haha. Cheers!

[@zaimusic_150]

Now what about applying your effects chain to other audio tracks. So as to put it on synths drums and audio samples n what not?

[@EasyHeat]

The Orange OMEC Teleport pedalboard interface is a relatively cheap & super useful tool IMO. For example, right now I'm splitting a buffered EHX BM Pi Deluxe and EQD Life Pedal clone signal in parallel, then summing that back to mono, and into the OMEC interface hooked to an OLD AF 2008 iMac running BiasfX V1. Ha! Basically using BiasFX on the iMac just for MidiCommander controlled Mod/Time-Echo/Verb effects, power amp emulation, and cab IRs. Ultimately I run that entire stereo signal via the OMEC's L/R back out to my Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 interface and main recording DAW PC. It's not 100% perfect by any means (analog to digital input impedance never is), but it's pretty wicked sounding IMO. Although, due to the OMEC's limited 16bit/44.1-48 resolution? I typically only use this method when I'm writing for demo projects, and/or scratch tracks. However, it does significantly cut down on my PC's overall system work load.¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Especially when dealing with a whole Butt-Ton of punches & plugins on say... much higher priority client tracks? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I look at as a sort of "poor man's" AxeFX/UA onboard guitar FX hack if you will? TBH? Most clients of that caliber typically can't even tell that the DSP DI from the OMEC is running at only 16bit/48.¯\_(ツ)_/¯ LMAO! Anyway, when running guitar pedals direct to interface? Input level, input impedance, & signal phasing WILL always be something to vigilantly monitor and adjust FYI. ESPECIALLY when running an unorthodox method such as guitar Fuzz/OD/Distortion in parallel. Cheers!

[@HazyIPA74]

Just came across this video. I use Bias FX 2 Mobile into the Focusrite 8i6.I'd like to use my Strymon Timeline and Bigsky. Can these be plugged into interface, then everything sent to front of house? Thanks in advance!

[@mylogify]

I also want to plug in my distortion pedal and just use cabs in Neural DSP, which sounds great. But when I search the right way to hook up your pedals to DAW is with re-amp box, for the highest quality. What do you think? Do you have one?

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

So, I don't...those things cost too much money! Haha, I was also looking into an OXbox...until...well, I think I'd rather just buy a new guitar for that price!

[@gutekzpoligonu]

Great video! So if I want to plug (one a a time) a wah or univibe into interface/console input on a channel where I have for example STL tones, then it will work?

[@secularstranger5750]

I’m trying to run my Steve Harris Signature Bass Pedal through a basic focusrite interface and run it through a basic preset cab on reaper. Is there anything specific I have to do? I’m trying to get a gritty dirty bass sound to cut through the mix.

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

It should. The Harris should act as a preamp and the signal should be fine. Just make sure you have the 48v boost turned off on your Focusrite. Also, I’d start the volume setting low on the Scarlett and slowly turn it, just to make sure you don’t clip right off. And hey man, up the irons!! Maiden was my favorite band as a kid, and only a few years ago did I finally get to see them live. Such a great experience!

[@NicholasdiLucia]

Excellent video, but I'm still unsure whether I should connect my pedals into the LINE or into the INSTRUMENT (hi-z) input of my Scarlett. Would you mind explaing which one you use, and why?

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Technically it should be inst if you aren’t using active pickups. Also, make sure that the 48v phantom power isn’t turned on. That said, as always there are no rules, I once forgot to turn Inst off when I plugged in my bass (with active pickups) and got this really gnarly bass tone with the volume rolled down. It was perfect for a punk inspired thing I was doing at the time. But, traditionally, you’d be using Inst if you were plugging in a strat or otherwise passive output guitar. Oh, also ride the volume on your scarlet to “just under clipping” (when it turns orange) by playing as hard as you plan to and adjusting the Scarlett knob. Don’t go into the red, but also don’t keep it so low that you lose the input gain, which makes your guitar sound thin and weak. It’s a lot of knob twisting, but hey: we’re guitar players, we LOVE twisting knobs!

[@NicholasdiLucia]

@@TheoreticallyMedia thank you so much!

[@ArrakisOCE]

What happens if you accidentally enable phantom power with pedals running into the mic/instr in on the interface?

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Usually just loud noises that quickly remind you to turn that button off! I’ll say what you really don’t want to do, is plug an 18v power supply into a 9 volt pedal! Did that on accident a few months ago and fried a pedal! (It was a cheap one, at least!)

[@ArrakisOCE]

@@TheoreticallyMedia Ok, thanks for the warning. I've just setup a pedal rack running into my DAW interface and it has a massive red phantom power button which I keep staring at thinking - 'I hope I don't accidentally press this one day'.. Great video and channel, thankyou!

[@picardftw1313]

Do you have to use a DAW amp or can you just add your own amp to the end of the effects pedal chain and then go out of the amp and into the Audio Interface?

[@Maltry]

would the same thing work with a MFX like a GT100?

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

It should? Just make sure the GT100 doesn’t output any cab simulation in the chain. I’m not overly familiar with that unit, but I know a lot of them have options to do that. You’ll want as flat a signal coming out of the unit.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

This video just autoplayed while I was doing other things in the room, I eventually looked up and saw that beautiful little super strat, amazing. What is the body coated with - how do you keep it healthy?

[@HaganeYoshi]

If i knew this 10 years ago when i first started guitar, I'd have 100s of pedals....

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

Haha. Never too late to start!

[@lenakernchen2939]

what's the song in the beginning?

[@TheoreticallyMedia]

It's kinda Brown Eyed Women by the Dead. At least the chords-- I was working on it for a band thing at the time I recorded this. Good tune--

[@officialpoa3171]

*Here is a subject matter: How To Make Amp Sims Sound More Realistic* | kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3nYloNmeaaog5osi=RQTW-wAQiy5jhNka