Best way to find the frequency difference between two things?

[laxu]

I want to try to figure out what frequencies are lacking on the Hotone Ampero 2 since it always tends to sound darker than e.g Helix or other plugins. Then I want to try to construct a global EQ to correct that, that would hopefully work for all models.

I got pretty good results doing that from A2 vs Helix Native hand-dialed Vox AC30 models and using a Match EQ in Logic Pro, then translating the Match EQ result into global EQ. But I'd like to get a more scientific result.

Today I tried running a sine sweep in the same scenario (instead of a guitar DI), but either I'm setting it wrong or something is off because the results don't really work like they did with a guitar signal.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

sine sweeps and frequency plots aren’t going to tell you a great deal as amps are extremely dynamic and non linear. You could see how you fare with pink noise and match EQ, but I’d just use your ears for this kind of thing.

 

[laxu]

Thanks, pink noise worked better.

I could not be bothered to plug in and dial each amp model so I just slapped everything on 5 and tried Super Reverb Vibrato, Plexi 100 Jump, Soldano SLO Lead and Mesa Mark IV Lead channel with pink noise running through both Helix Native and Ampero 2.

Nothing but the amp model in the chain.

Positive: I found out I could fit 4 amp models, two stock cabs and two mono delays into a single Ampero 2 preset. That's pretty impressive.
Negative: I didn't come out any smarter about the EQ. Each amp model would result in different corrections with no correlation between them.

I know that turning up the highs after 5 KHz can help with the A2 tone, but other than that, don't know.