My guitars always sound dead.

[DaveDrummer]

Its weird. Maybe its because im using a portastudio, but it shouldnt sound THIS bad. basically, if its not going through the tape (as in, directly to my headphones) it sounds fine. When I record it though it sounds really twangy/thin/no bass/dead. Would going digital help? Like I said, I dont think its my mics, amps, or guitar (SM57, Gibson Les Paul, Peavey Classic 30)

[jmorris]

What is your mic placement?

[DaveDrummer]

against the grille, centered with cone, about 15 degrees pointed upward

[c7sus]

Move the mic out to the edge of the speaker..........

[grinder]

Have you cleaned the head on your machine and are you using a fresh, good quality cassette?

[grinder]

If you're using the eq on the portastudio while tracking don't forget to zero it on playback, 'cause the playback signal is routed back through the eq.

[Echoes]

I personally wouldn't put the mic right up against the grille of the amp. I don't know what mic you're using (maybe it works better the way you were placing it), but in my experience the best way to get a clean recording of my guitar has been to leave a good 3 inches between the mic and the amp and to angle the mic slightly so that it isn't facing the speaker dead-on. Hope this helps.

[VesuviusJay]

Firs of all did you say Peavey classic 30 as in 30 W? Is the a 12" speaker, and is this an open back cabinet? Key variables I need to give you some advice. Well it looks like a 4X10 eh? Anyway read this thread and especially the post by Aaron Carey.

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...r&pagenumber=1

With the open back cab instead of aarons mic phase method, try just switching the phase and mic'ing the back of the cab. If you master the art of microphone phase relationship you can't lose. I got WAY fatter sound with 2 beta sm57's using aarons technique. The second mic gives the track depth Again a 30W open back cabinet was not enough for me to be satisfied with my sound so it may be your equipment as well.

Cheers

[Bulls Hit]

I've always close mic'd my amp combo without being entirely happy with the sound. I used to sit the unit on the carpeted floor, then I tried angling it toward the ceiling.

However I've got a better sound by lifting it up onto a wooden table. I don't know whether it's because of the elevation away from the carpet, or whether reflections off the timber surface are helping, but it's definitely better

[shackrock]

jeezes don't aim at the cone center, that is terrible for distorted guitars.

the more center you aim it, the more high/highmids/annoying it sounds. the further out, the more grundgey/low/less clear it sounds. find the happy medium.

and even more, turn your distortion gain DOWN more than you'd think to. of coruse, keep it distorted. but turn that shit down. record it twice. pan it left right some (equally). that's some thick shit.

[Han]

DaveDrummer

I think the porta needs to be aligned properly, because you say it sounds good when listening to it directly. So there must be nothing wrong with the mic, the placement and the pre.

You only have problems when you play back the tape. That must be an alignment problem. A worn or dirty head will give you enough bass, but very little or no high at all.

A cassette can sound very good. Find a good tech for the porta.

[grinder]

Yeah, I think everyone's missing the point.Dave said that the guitar sounds good through the cans and bad on playback.It's not a micing issue.

[shackrock]

well, my stuff would sound good through my SB live through the cans. Then once i recorded it, it sounded like shit. of coruse, because of the soundcard. upgraded to delta44 = huge difference.

maybe the porta just isn't a great recorder? haha.

also, if you are listening through cans, and playing simultaneously - so you hear what's coming out of the amp, while you have headphones on (you get it?)...then it's probably pretty damn hard to hear SOLEY what's in the headphones. An amp can get pretty loud.
haha

but if that is not the case (like if you are in another room, then tite).

[grinder]

My old porta sounded pretty close to what I was hearing in the cans.That's a good point about hearing the amp and cans at the same time, though.Headphone leakage will make a big differance in the perceived sound.