Loop the busiest part of the song, match the volume of each IR, and compare them with the full mix playing. Here is how to pick a cabinet IR without guessing by filename.
To pick a cabinet IR, loop the busiest part of the song, keep the full mix playing, match the volume of each IR, and compare them a few bars at a time. What matters is how the guitar sits with everything else, not how it sounds alone.
An IR that sounds huge in solo can have low end that fights the bass and kick, or top end that gets harsh next to the cymbals. You only hear those problems with the band playing.
Filenames cause a second problem. Seeing a famous cab or mic in the name makes you expect it to sound good before you hear it.
1. Loop a section with the full band playing. A chorus or the heaviest riff works best.
2. Set your amp sim first, then put the IR loader right after it.
3. Match the level of each IR. The louder one usually sounds better, even when it isn't.
4. Listen to each IR for a few bars. Rule out anything that clearly doesn't fit.
5. Keep your top few, then compare them again at normal mix volume.
6. Use a little high pass and low pass on the winner to clean up what's left.
No. Any IR loader works if you swap files by hand while the loop plays. It's just slow, and it's easy to lose track of what you're comparing.
I built AutomatIR for this exact job. It switches through your IR folder on the beat every 1/2, 1, 2, or 4 bars, so your hands stay on the guitar.
Audition cabinet IRs on musical bars inside a looping mix with 50 ms seamless crossfades.
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