Dec 07, 2004 06:22 pm what gear have you got?
recording distortion
Posted on Dec 07, 2004 06:19 pm
triprolo
Pslam 34:8
Member Since: Dec 04, 2004
Whats the best way to go about recording a distorted guitar. I cant seem to find just the right way. Just thought Id get some opinions.
[ Back to Top ]
Dec 07, 2004 06:28 pm Just posted this on another thread.
Make sure your guitar doesn't sound muddy when you track it.
This is the best thing you can do EVER!
Get a bar stool, and put the amp on there. Sit with your ear/head on level with the speaker.
You have just done two things: put your ear where the mic will be, and decoupled the amp from the room, which results in bass frequencies canceling each other out. Make the amp sound like you want it to now. (most likely it won’t)
Turn down the gain, it will improve definition immeasurably. Remember that the bass will make up most of the energy in most modern rock recordings. If you could take the bass out, you would be surprised at how small the guitars sound. The bass and guitars should work together to make that huge wall you hear.
Just something to keep in mind next time you track. YMMV.
Also look at the recording tips section for mic placement.
Dec 08, 2004 10:57 am I am using a telescaster running through a Fender FM212R amplifier, a behrenger eurorack UB802 4-channel, Sampson Q mic and a SM57!I know! It's pretty basic. But I'm a basic type of guy!
I also preamped strait into the mixer to try different sounds. What do ya think about running direct guitar with distortion. Think that'll sound alright?
Anyway, thanks for the help.
Dec 08, 2004 11:21 am There are so many levels and so many approaches to what you are asking.
Play and listen, listen and play.
Every serious musician should record, there is so much insite to be had.
I usually work with a guitarist to try to get the sound that person wants up front. Now that may be a function of software. I have had a guitarist play "clean" into a solo track and apply a PSP warmer to the track until the person was pleased. Other times it is hardware, a pod, a tube pre amp with a lot of drive latitude, a specific amplifier, whatever.
Next step, add other instrumentation / voices. Now, does it really fit? If not why?
Sometimes eq, software compression, software warming can tweek the sound into the mix. Sometimes it's a function of the origional distortion. Is the distortion so thick that the rythum of the guitar is masked to the point that it diminishes the overall blend of the song? Does the distortion contain so many strong harmonics that once it is eq'd to the point the other instruments can shine through that a whole new sound is created? Did that distortion sound "cool" in the practice room only because the practice room has a ton of nasty modes. Maybe that is why the audiance runs out the door when that distortion is used live. When the guitar player is "rocking out" does that person hear what is played or in that person's mind's ear is he or she hearing Davy Getfiddle Puba's sound on his last album?
Play, record, listen, be critical, tweek, get frustrated, smash a guitar, you may go far, ... and love every second of it. Your a hopeless musician.
Dec 08, 2004 11:22 am hehehe, just from the email alert that has no username, I can pick a post from Walt out of the crowd sooo easily...
Dec 08, 2004 11:26 am Oh my, I'm nameless! Should I fix that or remain Ann..Ann. Oh you know. I wonder for how come I am an-on-a-mouse?
Oh the shame of it all! Or maybe the glory!
I need to stop smoking my wife's ciggerettes.
|
Related Forum Topics: |
If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.