How to make a custom IR ?

[Marshall]

Originally Posted by Cuki79

This link works for me

https://www.nuxaudio.com/optima-air.html

OK. What is strange is on one computer it doesn't work. On another computer it works (as well as the other NUX site options)

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Marshall

What are you looking for? The WAV files? Or the resulting IRs? If Cuki's program gives 3 IRs for every WAV, then I'll be getting 9 IRs later today to play with.

Just the guitar pickup and mic .wav file. Check out my signature below.

[Marshall]

True to form, anything Chinese electronics is a pain-in-the-***** trying to figure out how to operate the stinking thing.

I finally found under "Firmware/software" on the NUX site where to download their software editor. And after 45 minutes of futzing, I think I loaded 3 Neuman IRs into the device. Of course the file numbers are different on the device than what the editor said I placed them. But when the device is unconnected, the new IRs show up in the directory. I've got a grandson's basketball game to go to, so, I'll try the guitar thru the pedal with new IRs later today or tomorrow.

[Marshall]

Well this appears to be a total SUCCESS !

I previously loaded the 3 IRs created for the Neumann mic'd guitar into my NUX pedal. (See bad words above). And I played them through my amp and separately through headphones. The result is terrific ! Yes the "M" modified file sounds the best. The others seem harsher.

And as a bonus, I played my RainSong with a HiFi pickup through the same IRs created for the J50, and it sounds very good. Not exactly the same. (As I would expect it not to). But quite acoustic in nature. Much better than the pickup by itself.

More experiments to follow. Most importantly taking the rig out to someplace live.

[Marshall]

PS - Jon Fields also offered and made some IRs for my files. I have a plethora of fun things to play with.

Thanks, Jon, Cuki, and Aaron. Good stuff happening here. (I’ve got a lot more fun experimenting to do. )

[RogerPease]

PSA: The NUX Optima Air is available at a discount on proaudiostar.
Their usual “open box” offer that usually turns out to be new.

No relation. Cheers, _RP

[Marshall]

Had some more fun in Gizmo-land. I recorded 2 guitars (Nick Lucas & Eastman) with Skysonic Mag/SBT/Mic settings. Turned off the mics. And made stereo files for IR generation. Went to Cuki's site and generated IR files for 2 guitars and 2 different microphones. So I got 12 IR files back to play with.

I really need to get a computer software IR player. Loading all these into the NUX is a pain when I'll only decide to use a couple.

But the process so far was very good.


(I see Jon Field's IR generator is linked on Cuki's site. But for the moment I'm swamped with files to try out. )

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Marshall

I really need to get a computer software IR player.

Good basic, easy to use DAW:

https://www.audacityteam.org/download/

Plug-in that will load IRs and compatible with Audacity:

https://www.voxengo.com/product/boogex/

I am using the MAC version of Audacity and the VST3 version of Boogex. One hint to save you some time, the "amp mix" at max counter clockwise, or zero, is 100% IR. The "amp mix" at max clockwise, or ten, is 100% bypass. Exactly the opposite of ToneDexter or Aura.

[Marshall]

Now that I'm a veteran at loading IRs, I loaded a select few of the new IRs into the NUX. I'll play with them a bit.

Jon, your suggestion is good. I've got all the pieces to make it work. But I've never used my Zoom R20 recorder as an audio interface. And I have Audacity loaded on the computer. But it's another rabbit hole to go down to make it all work. And at the moment I'm not up for that.

[Marshall]

WOW ! That is terrific ! What the IRs do to my Skysonic MAG/SBT pickup is so, so, so STELLAR. I just plugged 2 guitars into the NUX and used the headphones out to listen. So clear and clean. I used 2 different guitars and 2 different microphones. And I can "hear" the difference in each guitar and each microphone.

Microphones: The Neumann is clearer and clean. The Shure KSM32 is big and round and warm.

Guitars: The Eastman Slope dread is big and warm. The Nick Lucas is brighter and focused.

And I can use any of the IRs with each guitar. I think I'll use the Shure trac on the NL to warm it up. I'll use the Neumann trac on the slope dread to give it more focus.

So, absolutely cool to play with these. I look forward to taking this rig out to an open mic (probably tomorrow) to see about it live.

PS - Interestingly enough the J50 with the HiFi IRs still sound a little harsh. And when I plug the RainSong in (with a HiFI) and run it through the J50 IRs it's nowhere near as pleasing.

The adventure continues.

[Marshall]

Talk is cheap. We all wax on poetically about what we like and dislike. But the proof is in the pudding (or the earwax as the case may be). So I'm posting some quickie links to wav files I've made. You can choose for yourself.

Here's the Nick Lucas through the Neumann mic:
https://soundcloud.com/marshallsongs...social_sharing

Here's the NL with the Skysonic pickup raw:
https://soundcloud.com/marshallsongs...social_sharing

Here's the NL with the Sky played through the NUX pedal with one IR from Cuki. It's the "M" modified file:
https://soundcloud.com/marshallsongs...social_sharing

[Marshall]

Played it at an open mic. Worked great. I need to get a battery pack option for this thing, though, for short shows. Too many wires to bring up udder wise.

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Marshall

Played it at an open mic. Worked great. I need to get a battery pack option for this thing, though, for short shows. Too many wires to bring up udder wise.

Here’s what I use (minus the soldering to make it even simpler…I shorten the second item’s cable and attach the male plug)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11452516501...3ABFBMxuLOxv9i

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...rity-converter

[Marshall]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

Here’s what I use (minus the soldering to make it even simpler…I shorten the second item’s cable and attach the male plug)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11452516501...3ABFBMxuLOxv9i

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...rity-converter

The Phone battery is 5V, isn't it? How is that compatible with 9V?

I did buy one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6K527M...t_details&th=1

It has a 9V 300ma output which is the same rating as the charger for the NUX. I tried it at home and it worked great. I'll go out tomorrow evening and try it in a venue. I've got an "important" mini-set in a place Tuesday eve, and I want to know everything is going to work out well.

For information, at home I like the Shure KSM32 recorded trac a little better than the Neumann KM184. That's what I'll try out tomorrow.

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by Marshall

The Phone battery is 5V, isn't it?

All those batteries are roughly 3.7 volts internally. The latest USB specs let the load device tell the source what voltage they want. Since “fast charging” 9 volts has been supported by most of these power banks. The one I use will also do 12 volts. Laptop targeted products also support 15 and 20 volts which can be used to replace the wall wart on most small guitar amps making them busking friendly.

What you bought can also do the job and I did not know these things dropped so low in price. You need to check if it’s 300 mA output is enough peak power to boot your pedal. My solution is tiny with more single load current.