Help on distortion

**batushai** · 01-11-2013

Hi. As you can see I'm quite new to the forums, but I've been trying to read it daily and seek for help since I started recording =D

I've always had this problem, where I couldn't find that "pro sound" distortion for a guitar. I'm using Guitar Rig 5 now with the preset Big Monster.
I've tried to play with the eq a little (same thing applies for the drums) but I still don't like it, and it gives me that feeling of fuzzy sound that doesn't sound good.

I have no idea what else I could do. I tried different types of distortion, tried to make my own, tried PodFarm, Amplitube and now Guitar Rig 5..which isn't that great, in my opinion.

Here's a short demo of a song I wrote recently.
Best Regards.

soundcloud.com/sblackheart/esther-disappear

P.S. im sorry to give you the song like this, but i can't post any links yet

**Spazhands** · 01-11-2013

I wouldn't say this is a mastering issue? Have you tried running the software into a cab and mic'ing from there, sounds like it needs a cabinet to get shot of the fuzzyness? I use Revalver and it sounds like that if you don't add a cabinet into your chain.

**batushai** · 01-11-2013

Well, i'm really sorry if I didn't post this in the right place, but I'm kind of new to the forums and the whole recording thing.

Somehow, i thought the preset has its own cabinets...and it does, it has a control room cabinet. And there are actually 2 amps there, one on the left and the other one on the right channel.

EDIT : i've tried to play a little bit more with the cabs, as you mentioned, still in guitar rig 5
got a new sound, sounds more full, but too bassy
here's the link

soundcloud.com/sblackheart/esther

I know the guitar part stops at one point, it's because the rendering sucked, just don't mind that.

P.S. this is what im trying to achieve..this kind of "pro" sound. I know he's using nebula pro, but i can't afford that yet.
youtube - /watch?v=VW0wUJ_gels
I might be a little noob, but what would you guys advise me to do ? :/

**batushai** · 01-13-2013

come on guys..nobody has any pieces of advice for me ? xD

**GONZO-X** · 01-13-2013

nothing beats the sound of a real amp and guitar setup.

**Mo Facta** · 01-14-2013

With guitar rig and other kinds of amp sims, simple is always better. And while I'm also a guy who prefers a live amp, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get a good usable sound with software.

With guitar rig, start fresh. Simply pull an amp into the empty "rack" window and start from there. The first preset is usually "default" or something like that, which will empty the rack for you.

Now, depending on what sound you want there are a variety of amps for you to choose from. Decide which one will fit the song and use that one. Mess around with the gain and amp EQ to find a setting that does it for you. If you need a little more gain, you can always pull a distortion pedal before the amp. Next you want to look at the type of cabinet and the mic position. Forget about adding more effects and making things complicated. SIMPLE IS BEST. Scroll through the cabs and choose one that best suits what you're going for. Choose a mic that sounds best to your ears and also change the position if you have to. You'll get brighter sounds at the center of the cone and duller sounds at the outside of the cone. Simple.

The way to think when using an amp sim - just like any software emulation - is what you would do if you had the real thing in front of you. In real life recording we start with the amp and add components as needed from there. Do that in guitar rig and you'll be fine.

Cheers