check my signal chain
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Posted on Oct 01, 2008 04:16 am
Dematrix
http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member Since: Nov 27, 2007
i dont know if im losing it or what.
seems if i dont muck around so much with trying to get a good distorted guitar sound to track, it just happens, but when i try and have everything "correct" it bites!
The main thing is, its not clear enough, its like its muffled with no clarity or power.
maybe my signal chain is off. its as follows.
tube amp and 120watt cab on about 6 > SM57 about 2 1/2" from grill, angled about 35deg off axis near dust cap > Tascam US1641 pre, with gain till it slightly peaks, and then backed off a bit > into software with "mono in" set to -18.86 dB.
I wont go on about my rig as it sounds sweet and of good quality, so somethings going awol in the chain somewhere.
i suspect the pre's in the Tascam are puss, but if anyone can see im stuffing up the signal chain, please, please yell at me with much fervor.
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Oct 01, 2008 10:37 am If you don't have any absorption around your cab area, then you may be hearing a lot of standing waves, echo, room bounce, slap, etc.
oh yeah,
Quote:
please yell at me with much fervor.
OH MY GAWD!!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING????
Ok, that was fun. =)
I bet if you did same recording outside, where there's no walls to bounce off of, it'd be clear as a bell.
Inside, packing blankets may help, as would rockwool or rigid fiberglass.
Oct 01, 2008 01:23 pm If you mic is off axis like that, I'd try straight ahead. It allows the mids to catch a little better so it CAN add some definition.
Oct 01, 2008 01:39 pm And start by putting your ear where that mic is going to be. A lot of rigs sound "sweet" in a room - But find out what the mic is going to hear.
Most distorted guitar tones I hear that have issues are (1) just way too distorted ("Crunchy" turns to "fuzzy" in no time) and (2) have scooped mids (again, can sound nice 'in the room' but the reason why is that it sounds like a fuzzy guitar going through a stereo system with a mid scoop -- That's not what those guitars sounded like when they were recorded).
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 01, 2008 08:08 pm would i be getting alot of room noise when close micing with a 57?
yeah im gonna have to get someone round here on weekend to play and chug that guitar while i have good listen at the speakers or which one is better. i've tried but its a little hard to it all while playing. (and turning your back so the guitar doesnt feedback)
im really considering buying an outboard compressor-distressor.
tis pretty expensive though.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 01, 2008 09:25 pm If using the 57 I prefer to have it near the outer edge of the cone right on the grill. Then angled in as you had it.
If you have a condenser that can handle the SPL's then give that a shot a bit out or right on the grill as well.
But ya, recording the cab you may need to back off the grind a bit as it will help clear up the dirt a bit.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 01, 2008 10:14 pm thanks noize, yeah i tried a few things so far will get into it again today,
when you say edge of the "cone" do you mean edge of the speaker where it joins to the cab, or do you mean the dust cap in the middle?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 01, 2008 10:31 pm The edge where its bolted to the cab. Actually I place it just inside that edge.
If you can lay your hands on a Sennheiser e609 or better yet its predecessor the MD409 you would be in like Flynn. Those mic's are made to take the beating a cab will dish out. I love them both but prefer the 409 on the heavy gain sounding cabs. But the 609 is no slouch either. And the 609 can be had new for under $200 US.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 01, 2008 11:20 pm ok, i've never tried the edge of the speaker before really, so it sounds good.
could be in for a mic too will go out and about today and see what's here and what's not. could always order it.
Oct 01, 2008 11:26 pm [quote]im really considering buying an outboard compressor-distressor.
tis pretty expensive though.[/quote]
The absolute last thing you'd want is to compress the signal even more. Especially at the input -- I don't think I've ever even compressed a distorted guitar in a mix (except for maybe a maul-the-band compressor to fix a bad-sounding guitar with a case of the thwumpies).
In any case - Moving the mic a centimeter can and will change the tone drastically in most cases. That little tape square you see on most 4x12's is the 'target' for a 57.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 03, 2008 05:30 am i've done alot of reading of late on metal guitars, some people say not to compress but alot of people like to compress.
i can definatley hear the difference obviously when compressing and i like what it does to it.
in what im doing atm, its a matter of getting the mic placement and the pre set right so as not to have it fizzin out or up.
something sounds cruddy and i think it could be the pre's on my tascam.
the quality and oomf just isnt there.
i've mucked around time and time again, different mic placements, different amp settings etc etc.
the only thing i cant change is my pre, only in volume and a led light to indicate peak or no peak. So tis why im thinking its that. could be wrong.
at the end of the day though i guess tis the same ol rule....your sound should sound awesome going to track to start with.
im booked into a 2 year SAE diploma course for Feb 09, so im not gonna do my head in as much about this as i have been latley, its only about 10 years overdue for me. i cant wait.
