metal guitar help please

[jmxdrummer]

here is my lastest project. I m not quite happy with it. I need your HONEST opinion and feedback to fix it. I recorded guitar using to sm 57s. one pointing directly to the cone and the other at a 45 degree angle. I used a third mic on the other cone of my amp (condesnser at2020). Each sm57 I panned one 25% right and the other 25% left. the condenser was centered. I also recorded a bass track on one track which was centered also.

http://www.jmxdrummer.com/guitarbass.mp3

I still need to record a second guitar, vocals, and drums. Its sounds too bloomy. Im trying to get a nice deathmetal sound. Im playing on an Ibanez Rg series guitar to a Digitech MetalMaster pedal to a Rocktron Gainaic preamp to a Crate combo amp.

any suggestion on EQ? Compression? anything?

[Sonixx]

wow... those guitars are really scooped and they really sit way back

I'd start all over and get the guitars up from more and less scooped.

[SuicideNote]

First off, that guitar sure does sound like it is running through a crate amp. But not many people can pick that out.

I think that you'll need to play that guitar part cleaner. I hear noises that shouldn't be there from your picking attack, but that isn't what you asked.

Start by doing this. Mic that cabinent with 1 mic, probably the 57. Put it in the location where you think it sounds the best. Now record the song and pan the 1st guitar track all the way to the right. Record it again on another track and pan the second take all the way to the left. Play it back. How does it sound? Messy? Then you'll need to get tighter on the beat.

If it sounds tight but thin and not quite like the distorted monster that you were after, then add the AT condenser mic. Place this in the center of your combo cab about 12-18 inches back. Check phase issues with your already recorded tracks. Check your levels so they are hot. If it's not a strong enough signal turn up your amp louder instead of jacking the mic pre. From the recording I didn't hear much cab influence (crate?). Record 2 takes with the AT mic and pan these approx 70% left and right.

This is probably how I would begin to approach the typical death metal distortion guitars with your equipment. If the AT recorded guitars sound shitty, then put it back on the shelf for when you do vocals and stick that 57 back up there, in a different location.

EQ? Compression? What about it? How should you apply it to your guitars once they are on disk? I don't know. Focus on getting great guitars to disk then worry about getting them to sound in the mix, with tools like EQ and Compression.

[metalhead28]

I know we've talked alot about metal guitars before, even about multiple mics. I'm gonna recommend that you strip down what you're doing and simplify everything. The multiple mic approach should be reserved until after you've exhausted what you can do with one mic. Stick one 57 on that cab and record one track per side just like Suicidenote said. Two separate performances, panned at least 80% either way if not hard panned. That could easily be the surest path to success for you.

If you want a modest point of reference....while perhaps not the greatest guitar recording....here is a clip I did for another thread.

Single SM57

That is one SM57 about 1 1/2 inches from the center of the cone, and right up on the grille, on axis with the speaker. There is one track per side (2 performances just like we're recommending). There is also no processing.

That's as simple of an approach as you can get, but I think it works.
I would normally layer more performances for a finished sound, but I still think that this tone could probably work all by itself with maybe a little processing and hopefully it reinforces the idea that you can get a pretty full and complete sound with only one mic.

Step back and re-think your approach. You'll benefit alot from it.

[tylerxxx]

just curious, metalhead, what amp was that?

[metalhead28]

Originally Posted by tylerxxx

just curious, metalhead, what amp was that?

Peavey 5150 II, Marshall cab

[tylerxxx]

what is your recording set up?

[metalhead28]

Originally Posted by tylerxxx

what is your recording set up?

Well, that was recorded with an SM57, FMR Audio RNP preamp, and an M-Audio Delta interface into Sonar 5

[metalhead28]

Any more discussion in this thread?

I'm about to hit the road home for the night (still at work )

[tylerxxx]

nope, that was it. always just curious about other peoples setups!

[jmxdrummer]

thanks for the advice you guys. It was easier when I only played drums, but my buddy got me hooked on recording. I will start from the source and work up the chain. I will post a new recording using your simple but efective approach.