Need volunteer ears to check out this mix.....

[rjfoster]

Hey folks!
Here's the deal - I have been working on an online collaboration that is coming together pretty well, and in fact it's pretty much done except for the guitars solos, but I am having a hard time getting a good guitar tone - and I am looking for some advice if anyone can give it.

I'm not lacking in the "gear" dept, so I really SHOULD be able to get a good sound - here's what I recorded the guitar bits with:

1984 JCM 800 Marshall 100 watt head into a 1960A cabinet with greenbacks and new tubes.

1988 USA Fender strat with a Hotrail in the bridge postion.

I used 1 SM57 running through a Behringer UB802 mixer - I left all eq flat on the mixer during recording.

The sound card is a SoundBlaster (Yeah - this could be better...)

DAW = Magix Sequoia

Basicly, I think the rhythm guitar tone sounds like complete junk. It sounds NOTHING like what I hear live in front of the amp. (You know - typical Marshall BALLZ!)

Here's the clip - vocals have been left out on purpose - please ignore amp noise as I havent gated the guitar tracks.

http://www.guitarmavens.com/music/Pr...HR%20BBS01.WMA

I really hope some one can help me sort this out since I would really like to get a big MARSHALL tone ont his song - since the tune rocks pretty hard!

Thanks in advance!

Rj

[LRosario]

I heard your stuff!

Sounds good!

My advice could be a bit tainted since I'm not really in front of a good set of speakers.

The only thing I could really think of for the moment is the bass. It seems to jump out of the mix a little at random points of the mix. Perhaps control it with a bit more compression. Also make sure to align it with the drums!

If thats the desired effect then no prob, but I can see where that can get in the way.

Guitar tone?! What are you talkin about, sounds good! Just really depends on the sound your going for. That sound almost reminds me of the Bad Religion distortion for the last album they worked on. Except a little thinner.

Other than that, if you want to taste what a good studio preamp can do for guitar sound, I always advise that! Neve, Vintech, Avalon, Amek, Focusrite are just some I can think of for the moment.

Good stuff man!

Lee Rosario


ps. sounds like there was an odd drum punch in a little bit into the guitar solo. dangerous with high compression!

[rjfoster]

What about this pre-amp?

Looks interesting, and ElectroHarmonix has been making good stuff for a long time....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/181127/

Rj

[LRosario]

Originally Posted by rjfoster

What about this pre-amp?

Looks interesting, and ElectroHarmonix has been making good stuff for a long time....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/181127/

Rj

Well it's mixed results. I myself don't have any personal experience with the ElectroHarmonix you showed me, but it seems decent just from looking at the stats they provided.

It's has a tube, but then again, there are differences in vaccum tube technology. The PreSonus DigiTube is something that perhaps would do you well. It's a little more, but probably a little more up your alley.

Basically in this situation anything that provides either pleasent/convincing coloration or completely transparent handling in case you'd like to reamp your guitar tracks at a high end studio.

But check it out:

Apogee makes some good stuff
Presonus makes some good stuff (I'm personally not a fan)
Focusrite makes excellent solid state pres (if you like that all electronic vibe)
Groove Tubes makes some good mics, haven't tried the pres yet


In terms of the guitar sound, I broke the ice in my previous reply, but you diserve an honest opinion.

For the gear that you got, you should be able to get a much more slammin sound than you currently are. I of course can offer input if you'd like. Of course you also have a million heads here to listen to for great opinions.

My first piece of advice, get a good pre and cut out the Beringer. I'm a purest.