Mic Amp or IR loader

spev11

I'm doing a little bit if recording, mostly for practice analysis and messing about. I'm not bothered about plugins ( I use garageband for simplicity) but the line out from my attenuator has no cab simulation (or if it has its awful). I'm not sure I can get the amp loud enough to justify mic'ing it up (and I'd have to buy a mic) . So my question revolves around either something like the NUX Mini Studio or Mooer TresCab (or similar) or buying a Mic and going that way (bearing in mind I play at home and volume is a factor hence the attenuator.
 The Amp is a DSL20CR which has the softtube emulated out but thats not great either.
ta

Cirrus

If you can't get it loud enough to sound good with a mic it's a no brainer, isn't it? Just line out from your attenuator into a software IR plugin, unless by not bothered you mean you don't want to use them...

spev11

Well im a suffer of option paralysis so thats why I was thinking of using something like the Mooer inline from the attenuator to the interface, its just got a dial with some options. Im not sure how loud it would need to be to make a mic a decent option really. Perhaps I should find a used tidy sm57 and give it a go, worst i'll do is sell it again if its not suitable.

flying_pie

If you decide to go without a mic then the Mooer Radar is a much better idea than the Trescab. The Radar has IR loading and using a good IR sounds miles better than the built in cab sims.

Yes, you can just record the preamp then load IRs in your DAW but I find it easier to record with the IR already in place

Evo

Based on what you've said, I honestly think you'll get the best results using a plugin.

The DSL20 is a great amp, but if you're needing to run a 20w with an attenuator to keep within your volume requirements then you're gonna struggle with a mic. 

An attenuator, with a cab sim/IR loader may well get you some very good results...but for the £120 or so a mooer radar will set you back, you could pick up some seriously professional sounding software with plenty of change. I have two Friedmans, a Vox, and a Fender Twin sat next to me and 90% of the practice and messing about I record is through a plugin. If it's primarily for your own benefit then the best cost:tone:simplicity ratio is definitely finding a plugin you like the sound of. 

Stratavarious

There are amps and cabs sims in Garageband.  You can change them afterwards too. I use apple amps/cabs or cab IRa in Reaper all the time for our band recordings as the amp DIs are awful and we dont always mic the cabs,

sweepy

The Helix plug in works very well and is always a good option for fuss free guitar recording 

spev11

I need to get over the option problem, as soon as I see a list of amps, cabs and effects I just cant help buggering about with them all ( and I mean all) rather than concentrating on finding a single good one. Also I quite like the dsl20, I’ve got it set up how I like it so a cab ir is all I need. But I’ll give it a go and report back on how I get on

Stratavarious

Use reaper and put the DSL recording on a track

Then add the included ReapVerb plugin.. and add a cab IR file 

If you limit yourself to handful, it removes the analysis paralysis.. i have a couple of Marshall and a couple of AC30 cab IRs.  Never found need for more than a couple.  Just the cab.. nothing else to fiddle with other than the wet/dry mix

I got free cab IR files from here..  https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2010/10/01/free-sample-shootout-6-best-free-guitar-cabinet-impulse-responses/

Makes a huge difference to crappy sounding DI from Orange and DSL amps.

pintspiller

I use a Two Notes Torpedo Capture on my DSL1 and the included cabinet IRs. It's fantastic.

Winny_Pooh

Boogez is free and has nice IRs