Epic of incondite habits( please comment on the layering of guitars ) !!

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giv me gear
Member Since: Jan 29, 2009

( please comment on the layering of guitars ) !!

www.homerecordingconnecti...ype=2&src=2


for the distortion i have used four layers for each guitar i.e 8 tracks for two guitars !

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Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Jun 18, 2010 02:43 pm

I see people post full songs that don't get any responses except a few of the regulars.

A bit of advice, if you want feedback, provide some.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Jun 18, 2010 07:31 pm

There's probably some room for improvement in this recording, even if you recorded using a 15 watt practice amp (mainly in your distortion settings, you are likely recording too hot. Turn the gain down). This sounds like a 15 watt practice, layered 4 times. Before investing too much time in this amp, you should really consider the software amp modeling software PJK suggested in your other "recording environment" thread, or try Amplitube.

If you wish to continue recording the practice amp, be sure to back off your gain settings when layering guitar tracks. When you are layering, use less distortion than you intend to hear in the final mix. Layering guitars with the exact amount of distortion you'd like to hear in the end product will result in an overly buzzy tone, like the one you are getting currently. The goal is to layer guitars that are slightly less overdriven than your intended tone so that the sum of the 4 parts will give you the tone you desire.

If you give us more information to work with, such as the guitar and amp and recording tactic, we will be more likely to give feedback. If we don't know how you're recording, we can't tell you how to improve.

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Jun 18, 2010 09:33 pm

+1 on the free modeling software thing. At least try it out, some of the freebees can be quite good. Certainly better than what you're getting now tone wise... i don't mean to say anything negative but..this just isn't a pleasant tone.

Also, how are these 8 tracks panned? It was a little odd (part of me kinda liked it...almost a "swishing" sensation between the 2 speakers) but it sounded like each guitar was fairly heavily panned in one speaker, and all pieces of gtr 1 were the same position. I'm not a huge expert on spacial stuff like this, but try moving some of the tracks over to the other side, but turning them down so they aren't quite as loud. keep the louder ones more heavily panned. (i'm wording this so poorly...)

But first thing is first...that tone. i seriously bet an amp sim would improve the sound a bit. but be prepared, they often take some tweaking to get sounding right.

giv me gear
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2009


Jun 18, 2010 11:43 pm

As for the panning .....

Guitar 1Layer 1 : 100% left
Guitar 1Layer 2 : 70% left
Guitar 1Layer 3 : 45% left
Guitar 1Layer 4 : 25% left

Guitar 2Layer 1 : 100% right
Guitar 2Layer 2 : 70% right
Guitar 2Layer 3 : 45% right
Guitar 2Layer 4 : 25% right

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


Jun 19, 2010 11:55 pm

mmm, your thinking about it, which is good Tinny,
But if you take a look at the panning, youre cover too much of the spectrum.

try, 100 80 60 30. That's alot of guitars though. you could keep them even tighter to one another if you wanted.

If you encroach too much on the drums (ie inside 25) you'll smother them plus you want a bit of separation so you can hear where they arent if that makes any sense.

Sticking with 2 a side would be better for you as i metioned in other post.

if youre hearing any swishing wierd **** going on then that could well be phasing. Change you guitar settings.

+2 on the amp sims.

Like i said before too. who really knows how all thats gonna sound until you have drums an bass with it.
To be honest, most guitars by themsleves in any recording arent gonna give me much of a chubby.


giv me gear
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2009


Jun 20, 2010 05:51 am

i completely agree with you maestro but then say there is aan instrumental involving only heavy distortion( not possible but still hypothetical) what then ?

How to get it to sound good ?

Someone once told me everything in the mix should sound really good individually in order to make it sound Brilliant overall !

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


Jun 20, 2010 08:09 am

What sounds good is subjective. What are you looking for?

You make what gear you have work for you the best you can.
If you dont like what you hear, get better gear. Simple really.

No fx or mixing can make your gear sound "different" that what it is.
You can tweak it, but you cant change it without destroying the natural feel.
Been there done that and found out real quick.

Youve got drum software, make that **** work man. You can get it the best you can at very least.
Then take a sit back, take it all in, and decide where youre at and where you wanna go from here.







Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Jun 20, 2010 11:23 am

Mm... i almost completely disagree with this. "Someone once told me everything in the mix should sound really good individually in order to make it sound Brilliant overall !"

Guitars especially. Often what makes them sound "heavy" is the way the sounds interact. The click and boom of the bass drum, the growl of the bass guitar. And then the icing on the cake is that heavy distortion. I'll let others get more in depth there, but almost always the product is greater than the sum of the parts. If you make everything sound great on its own, you can end up with a real mashed up sounding recording.

My advice to you would be set this up in song/riff context to start defining your tone. You can make better choices then. If you're serious about music, even as a hobby, you'll probably be willing to spend a little more on gear (if you're like me...you're probably willing to spend a little more than you should...). But, all can be done in due time, and for now, you can just work with what you have. You already have drum software, a good computer and some recording software. Depending on your style, it looks like all you need is a bass to at least get started. Maybe a new vocal mic too. But of course, if you can't afford a bass right now, you make do with what you do have, and the freebees that are available.

So singling out guitar tone, you have a few options here. You can try retracking this, with less distortion. But without getting the tone from the cab, you aren't going to get the tone you're likely looking for. I don't want to sound pushy, but you REALLY should download that free amp software PJK mentioned in the other post. Or google for other amp software freebees out there. I can pretty much guarantee you'll get a better tone out of one of those than you would from the DI from your practice amp. Plus its free, all you have to lose is a half hours time downloading and installing it.

giv me gear
Member
Since: Jan 29, 2009


Jun 20, 2010 12:36 pm

I really appreciate your help ! Thank you for entertaining an infant in recording !!!

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