Mastering Distortion Guitar
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Posted on Nov 26, 2008 07:21 pm
fran
Member Since: Nov 26, 2008
Ok I'm new to these forums I need Help with a very Important Issue. My band has been recording and when first started recording we recorded from our Marshall mini stack amp. But we realized it sounded "Bad" in the mix. So we used Amplitube Metal to give us a more clean out put it we liked it but upon further inspection we did not get the results we wanted. We Play In Drop A, We are a metal band We Started recording again from the amp because I picked up on some mastering I messed around with the EQ and some noise reduction and compression. I still don't have the guitar feel I want.
Can any one help?
We record using
Lexicon Lambda
Lead Guitar- Schechter Diamond Series (7 - String) Drop A
Rhythm Guitar- Epihone SG (Drop A)
Marshall amp, With line out to the Lamda.
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Nov 26, 2008 07:28 pm Forget all of that crap you just mentioned. Search these archives for distorted guitar and that will give you the answers that everyone here will already give you. I play drop G on my 7 string and get a killer tone with just good mic placement, an SM57, and my computer. I rarely eq.
Mastering should NEVER determine what tone you get from an instrument. That's the LAST thing you do. And don't ever say, "Oh, I'll fix that in the master." Cause if you say that, you've already failed.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Nov 26, 2008 10:26 pm Lots of people tossed in 2 cents worth or more in this thread last year:
www.homerecordingconnecti...11329&frm=1
Which Marshall amp are you using?
And if you're in search of good guitar tone, don't use the line out on the amp. Anything but that! Use a modeller if you're going to record direct. At least use something with a speaker/cab sim.
Otherwise, crank it and stick an SM57 right up against the grille. After hearing that, you'll be ready to experiment with micing techniques.
franMember
Since: Nov 26, 2008
Nov 26, 2008 11:30 pm We are using a
Marshall MG series 15 mszw
It my guitarist's amp, I'm getting a Raven amp 60 Watt I don't know it if will be better getting the raven and recording of our mic since it has no good distortion also I'm getting a pop filter would that help recording from the amp?
Well heres how we want our guitar to sound.
www.myspace.com/suicidesilence
myspace.com/chelseagrinmetal
Our Band Myspace
www.myspace.com/witheyesofdust
Here is how our guitar sounds, and the rest of our tracks. We need mastering help :P
we got our guitar almost like suicide silence, its just when its recorded is when we encounter problems.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 27, 2008 08:48 pm A pop filter will not help recording and amp in any way. Direct micing the amp is good. Even a 15 watt amp can sound great through a 57.
With a 57 I will normally put it near the outer edge of the cone pointing slightly toward the center of the speaker.
Dial the gain and distortion back a good deal. This will let you blend multiple guitar track much easier and not get them muddied up in the mix.
What most don't realize is a little distortion when recording can go a long way. What sounds good cranked up live will not sound good once laid to a track and mixxed with other guitar tracks. It all ends up in a big muddy mess. Especially when you are tuning low like that.
Work from a minimal amount of gain and distortion and go up from there only if it is needed.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 27, 2008 08:59 pm Had a quick listen to theirs and yours.
And yes, bring the gain and distortion down some and layer the tracks. That is how you will get that huge deep sound. And don't use that direct out of the Marshall. Record with either a good unit from say Line 6 or mic a speaker.
Nov 27, 2008 09:20 pm Just to add another dimension to this. I personally love direct outs and don't like the Line 6 effects. I also don't like layering guitars. They get too muddy too quick. Just spend the time(days if you must) getting the sound you are looking for. I rarely layer and can almost always get the tone I want.
Now, I'm not saying that there is a right or wrong way, I just know there are no rules to sound. Haha.
franMember
Since: Nov 26, 2008
Nov 27, 2008 11:23 pm Ok, Well I'll give that a try
I have a SM48 is that good for recording of the amp?
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 28, 2008 11:23 pm you will have a problem trying to get a great tone in drop A on a 25 and 1/2 inch scale guitar.
lowest you can go, and imo its the absolute lowest, is drop B. Even then you gotta set the bridge up to get it right.
7 strings makes little difference.
scale length does.
27" baritone is the way to go.
also thicker strings will make it muddy, go for the lighter gauge for better clarity.
franMember
Since: Nov 26, 2008
Nov 28, 2008 11:42 pm Umm I changed it to Drop C on my SG
I just bought a raven half stack its sounds great. and also got Ibanez 120bk
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 29, 2008 02:23 am drop c should be sweet then
franMember
Since: Nov 26, 2008
Nov 29, 2008 11:16 pm I have a quick question what if I'm recording of my half stack which is
a Head and then the cab which is composed of 4x12 how does that work out?
I pumped it up to almost half to full and the mic was placed in the center of one speaker on the bottom left and got a Ok recording along with layering umm Idk it still not pro yet.
It was recorded on a 7 string
Setting on my amp where
Gain: 50%
Bass: 65%
Mid: 75%
Treble: 55%
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Dec 01, 2008 08:32 am you'd be better off posting a demo so we can hear the result.
will make it alot easier.
i dont think in the centre of cone is always a good place for the mic.
i find it too scratchy. with metal guitars the biggest and brightest sound you can get, isnt alays the best idea.
It just doesnt mix as well.
imo, find the best and brightest place with the mic and then move just off that so you arent getting too much top end.
I will say this,
Have your amp sounding the way you want it, at the volume to make your speakers excurse,
set the mic where you feel is good,
have the pre's on your interface at a decent level, "never too hot"
make sure your level going into the software doesnt exceed 18.86db.
you can do this using the mono in slider in your mixer.
this way there is no danger of clipping an it gives you headroom.
do that, and your job is done as much as you can possibly do setup wise.
if its still not what you want, you need to look at other things as someone mentioned before, strings, picks, pick action, leads, etc. even the room you are in, maybe amp up off the floor and so on.
also if you're tuning down to drop C your intonation will be out too. unless you're already onto that.
if you post an example of what you've done it would be good.
Dec 01, 2008 10:32 am Thumbs up, Deon! :)
franMember
Since: Nov 26, 2008
Dec 01, 2008 06:05 pm www.myspace.com/witheyesofdust
Drowning in lies was recorded with my half stack
Gain: 50%
Bass: 65%
Mid: 75%
Treble: 55%
Volume 45%
Raven 100H, With Schecter Desmond Series.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 01, 2008 06:10 pm I have to say though that the SM48 is really geared toward plain vocals. Its frequency curve is really not geared to getting a good guitar tone when its tuned that low and EQ set like that. It has a distinct roll off on the low end and a pretty big boost in the upper mids.
I'll grab a listen to the track later tonight.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Dec 01, 2008 06:54 pm whatever that's tuned to its way, way too low for that guitar.
what is the scale length of the guitar?
More so what is the tuning?
didnt you say you tuned it back up to C?
or is this song still in A?
i cant really give anymore opinions on it anyway, but "that" is a big problem you're having for sure.
anyone playing in drop A has a longer scale neck, if they dont, thats the sound they are gonna get, and it will be very hard to even know where to start to mix it.
franMember
Since: Nov 26, 2008
Dec 01, 2008 07:33 pm Hmm It was with my guitarists 7 string I'm not sure about its tuning.
My guitar is in Standard.
ValidTreyMember
Since: Aug 11, 2007
Jan 09, 2009 10:05 am Something a lot of people don't realize is this simple fact-
Guitarists are usually standing over their amp cab and the sound is passing right under them. It's not gonna sound as bright as what the mic is picking up.
To get a better understanding of how the guitar will sound recorded imo, is to get your ears level with the cab. You will immediately notice the high end there.
I usually try to shape the amps tone while in front of the cab. Level with it. I use my ears as a mic so to speak. Now with that said, I'm not gonna stand with my face to the cab at 180db lol. I'll go back and forth at a comfy distance.
Anyway just my 2cents
