Recording guitar in mono/stereo with VSTi?

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I've got a vision.
Member Since: Dec 05, 2008

Hi, using SC Prominy and Amplitube 3 I've done a short guitar intro. Here it is:
dl.dropbox.com/u/1309497/...%20tejk%201.mp3

I'm quite pleased with the sound achieved but I'd like it to bo more natural, real, the best one can get using guitar VSTi.

I've already put TRacks compressor, some reverb&delay, bit EQ and tweaked a lot with the midi track itself, but I guess it's time for a next step which is - as far as I know - recording the same guitar track for both stereo channels separately.

Most of the VSTi works in stereo, but when it comes to guitar things complicate... My question - is there a point in "monoing" recorded stereo track, and then doubling it on the 2nd channel using some tweaking and/or very very slight delay or something similar?

Will it sound better, more natural or maybe worse? Or maybe recording guitar tracks in one take and already in stereo isn't that bad?

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I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008


Dec 29, 2010 04:39 am

Or maybe I'm just stupid and panning 1 guitar track 100% left and another 100% right would do?

I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008


Dec 29, 2010 01:19 pm

Well, here's corrected version with both channels in mono and some extra tweaking:
dl.dropbox.com/u/1309497/None%20of%20These%202.mp3

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Dec 30, 2010 01:01 am

i went thru all this too when i bought POD, Just record em in mono man, unless you absolutley want them in stereo.

Pan them then where ever you want.

Yer gonna get a better sound i think with your different tracks in mono.

I know its been a topic before but maybe MM might stop by and fill us in on the why you do things in mono as opposed to stereo.
Im sure there's others here that know the ins and outs also.

EBONY AND ACE's
Member
Since: Jan 05, 2009


Dec 30, 2010 11:08 am

topti

i think dematrix is right, start with setting the guitar up in mono tracks.

does not mean to use more than one micro.

the stereomix is done when you mixdown all trucks to the desired version. in the mix you decide where to place the participating instruments in the stereo panorama from left to right .

usually it starts out with all dry recordings, the first setup with panorama pots to place instruments from left to right, the next step to place with eq in the depth of the room, after that the reverb and stereo effects for enhanced room feeling.

with that procedure you should have a good start up for a transparent mix

two guitar mics can be combined to the same panorama position, adjust the volume for each mic to find the perfect sound you desire.

hope that gives you some ideas how to move on ;-)
joerg

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Dec 30, 2010 12:57 pm

If you are using a stereo effect then you should record it in stereo.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Dec 30, 2010 06:56 pm

My opinion is if you're not going to double track the part recording in stereo is okay, otherwise I personally would use mono. With amp sims like GR, Amp, etc, the input would normally be mono, the output I would do as above and as BH say's if you're not using any stereo effects, dual tone's etc, there would be no reason to have the sim in stereo mode, but if you are then by all means use stereo.

Dan

I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008


Dec 31, 2010 08:21 am

Ok, thanks for advice but how does it sound? (link in 3rd post) Natural or artificial?

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2006


Dec 31, 2010 10:02 am

I like the sound in the 3rd post, just had a nice feel to it. But natural and artificial is probably subjective in this case. From my point most of the effects we use as guitar players are meant to alter the natural sound to something else we like. So I guess I would ask how close is it to the target sound you were working toward?

I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008


Jan 02, 2011 09:00 am

@ Bluesdues - pretty close I guess. I'm aiming somewhere between Buckethead's relaxing tone (like on "A Real Diamond In a Rough") and bit postrock sound like Explosions in the Sky.

The point is the guitar's all midi, so I wonder how it sounds for other ppl on different speakers. I've been listening to it zillion times while tweaking so I could probably lost objectivity if it sounds 'natural' by what I mean 'played by a real guy', not midi :)

I love guitar but suffer from wooden fingers, so my recent ambition is to work out the most natural midi guitar feel I can... :)

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2006


Jan 02, 2011 06:22 pm

I think you did a real nice job on it. And if it's going to sit in a mix it will probably get even better.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jan 02, 2011 07:06 pm

I'd say it sounds good, much better than the first post. I'll go with Bluesdues on the Nat/Artificial, it is subjective and it's likely only other guitar players would notice anything anyhow.

Dan

I've got a vision.
Member
Since: Dec 05, 2008


Jan 06, 2011 05:23 pm

I've developed it a bit, added a few extra seconds if You're bored... (still the same link in post 3).

What can I improve with 'sitting' in the mix? Any suggestions?

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