V-amp 2 recording woes

[synapse]

Hi everyone.

I've ran into a bit of a problem recording with my v-amp. It seems that no matter how much I play with the settings or post-eq, my distorted guitar tracks are ridiculously muddy. Is it just me or is there way too much bass with this thing? and is there anything I can do about it?

Here are my best efforts at getting a distorted tone:

http://media.putfile.com/untitled_heavy
This one is a song I'm working on, done with my Washburn WG-587. I had to resort to turning the bass down to 0 in order to cut down on the muddiness, but all I'm left with is a very raw tone, and that's not what I'm after. (44 sec. clip)

http://media.putfile.com/heavy-tone---6-string
This short 10 second clip was done with my Godin Solidac, and this is what happens when I add a little bass. It's muddy, and there is no clarity to the legato. The accidental chorus effect is due to latency and me being too lazy to fix it.

I'm trying to get a 'clean distortion' tone. Something with punch, but very tight and clear at the same time. I can get what I want when I have headphones plugged in, but once I go to record, everything sounds horrid. The recordings are done line-in with Audacity.

So, any tips? Is this all I can expect from my v-amp? Am I just being really picky with tone?


One more thing. I'm considering getting a podxt live. I have a feeling that the v-amp is failing to meet my recording needs. Will I have more luck with that? Also, any opinions on a decent tube amp that works well with the pod?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is frustrating. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[PainKiller8191]

podxtlive=great piece of equipment, millions of tones
v amp2=little plastic toy that lights up when you plug it in


P.S.
podxt live=prettier lights

[Atomic Rain]

podxtlive = costs an arm and a leg

V-amp 2: Costs peanuts

[synapse]

The cost of the xt live is a big concern. I can't find it for any less than $500 canadian, then I get nailed with tax as well. That's mainly why I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to get the most out of my v-amp. From what I can tell though, the saying 'you get what you pay for' may apply here.

[gaz12369]

Maybe you could try using an EQ in whatever recording program you're using? Give the bass and treble some roll-off and emphasise the mids more. Worth a shot no?:thumb:

[synapse]

Thanks for the tip gaz12369. I've been playing with the EQ in Audacity a bit, but I've had no luck so far. Audacity's EQ is crap to say the least, and the EQ VST plugin I have isn't much better. It's something I'll continue to play with.

On the topic of EQs...
A tip I could offer to anyone who's having problems with the v-amp's muddiness is to take an EQ pedal and place it before the v-amp. Kill the bass, and then re-adjust with the bass knob on the v-amp. I have a cheap EQ pedal, and this works well with cleans, but unfortunately gets too noisy when I crank the distortion.