I think I can skip the direct box regardless of the amp or not. I have this Guitar HI-Z input on the 16th track input of the console which I am assuming is like an internal direct box provided by Roland. It has a on/off switch meaning the console must be low-impedence, yet I tried that. I plugged directly into the board after a using my boss blues driver and it sounded worse. Like crazy static devoid of pitch and clarity. I have heard from interviews with the artists that they love to mic their amps and I think that's the route I wanna go. The Hiwatt Custom 100 is a beautiful amp, its got that vintage rock sound even when the overdrive is provided by the box. I really need to harness its capabilities.

Achieving Einziger's tone is not a problem when playing live, it gets lost though through the recording process. I really think the new mics will have a tremendous impact but if they don't I won't know where to go. It's frustrating when you here it great out of the amp but pathetic on playback. If this is exasperating you just tell me, I am fairly new at the technical lingo and the whole recording process. The manual alone for the vs 2480 is 500 pages and I have read about one fifth of it so I am getting tired myself. Thanks for all your help though, I can't wait to try it.+