Palm muting too loud

[stupid_brian]

Hi, I have a small problem, when i record distorted guitar, my onyx mixer picks up the palm muting LOUDER than the actual strumming, which if anyway it should be vice-versa.
I`ve had some nice recordings from exactly the same set up i`m using now but this is just irritating now, I`ve already tried:

different head
different speaker
Different mic
Different mic positions
different amp placements
fiddling with EQ
changing compressor settings

any help would be REALLY appriciated

[WhiteStrat]

I don't think your mixer is amplifying your palm mutes. It's just capturing what's coming it's way. You listed all the variables you've tweaked--except one: technique.

It's gotta be in the way you're playing...

[tarnationsauce2]

I'm not sure what kind of music your playing.
In metal mixing a lot of people use a multiband compressor, but disable all bands except for a lower band that centers at the palm mute bass range.
Check out this thread: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/p...alm-mutes.html

[adferrendelli]

Did you try your pickup position. it might change it a little.

[stupid_brian]

Originally Posted by WhiteStrat

I don't think your mixer is amplifying your palm mutes. It's just capturing what's coming it's way. You listed all the variables you've tweaked--except one: technique.

It's gotta be in the way you're playing...

I palm mute with picking hand right next to the bridge, i`ve had no problems with this technique before, the problem started a few months ago.
I`ll try the multiband compressor which tarnationsauce2 mentioned. But i`ve never had to use one before, i just dont know why its happening NOW.
And adferrendelli, i`m using the bridge pickup, like i always have done. I was thinking origionally it maybe bass resinance so choosing the neck pickup really isnt a way round given its lower tone.

[WhiteStrat]

Originally Posted by stupid_brian

I palm mute with picking hand right next to the bridge, i`ve had no problems with this technique before, the problem started a few months ago.
I`ll try the multiband compressor which tarnationsauce2 mentioned. But i`ve never had to use one before, i just dont know why its happening NOW.
And adferrendelli, i`m using the bridge pickup, like i always have done. I was thinking origionally it maybe bass resinance so choosing the neck pickup really isnt a way round given its lower tone.

The neck pickup may be darker than the bridge pickup, but it also wouldn't be right under your hand when you're doing the palm mutes. Given your description of your technique, the problem might be having the active pickup right under the point of the strings that are resonating most.

At least give the neck pup a try.

[Myriad_Rocker]

It could be that it's the bass frequencies that a palm mute induces that is causing this. Maybe you should turn your bass down a bit. Let the bass guitar pick up the duty of the low end. You'll still get the same impact.

[wbcsound]

I agree with the above post, use a multiband compessor to your advantage. It's always easier to take a little away instead of trying to add something back.

[wbcsound]

Originally Posted by stupid_brian

I palm mute with picking hand right next to the bridge, i`ve had no problems with this technique before, the problem started a few months ago.
I`ll try the multiband compressor which tarnationsauce2 mentioned. But i`ve never had to use one before, i just dont know why its happening NOW.
And adferrendelli, i`m using the bridge pickup, like i always have done. I was thinking origionally it maybe bass resinance so choosing the neck pickup really isnt a way round given its lower tone.

Maybe due to the position of your amp within the room. If it's anywhere near a corner, your bass frequencies will be greatly enhanced. I've placed amps in a corner plenty of times to get a little more girth out of a smaller sounding amp

[giraffe]

Originally Posted by Myriad_Rocker

It could be that it's the bass frequencies that a palm mute induces that is causing this. Maybe you should turn your bass down a bit. Let the bass guitar pick up the duty of the low end. You'll still get the same impact.

daz probably it....

[steve.h]

Whoa whoa whoa, back the fuck up here. There are a few VITAL questions that need to be answered for anybody to help:

1 - What amp are you using?
2 - What kind of cab are you using?
3 - What settings are you using?

Your recording chain is NOT the problem, PERIOD! My guess is you've got your guitar/amp sounding FULL BY ITSELF, which will sound like ASS-BUTT-POOP-DUMP in the mix. If your bass knob is anywhere more than 3, you're fucking yourself.

Answer these questions, we'll supply you with answers

[cellardweller]

Originally Posted by steve.h

If your bass knob is anywhere more than 3, you're fucking yourself.

I assume you mean 3 o'clock?

[steve.h]

Originally Posted by cellardweller

I assume you mean 3 o'clock?

No, I mean 3 as in 3/10. There's no reason to track any more bass than that: that's the bass guitar's job! You're gonna run a high-pass at around 100hz anyway, why add shit that you're not gonna hear?

[jndietz]

Turn the bass knob down on your amp. It'll get rid of that boominess.

[Alex Grismore]

maybe try re-amping? Keep your original guitar tone for most of the song- However, when you re-amp .... just tweak the amp/guitar/mic placement(etc.) and replace just the loud palm muting sections.
Mulitband compressor should help also. Good luck.

[WhiteStrat]

Wait a minute! I think we've all missed something obvious! Have you checked the volume on your palm?

[drfringe]

I'd strip down the chain, just try the amp, clean, adjust the mids, and the bass levels. I would guess it's something in the low end, judging from the eq that most metal bands use.

[Ironklad Audio]

+1 to turning down the low on the amp, adjusting your playing technique, and using a multi-band set from about 60-240hz

a quick sidenote to turning down the lows...not only do you not want a bunch of low end rumble being captured by the mic that you're only going to have to cut out later, but turning down the lows gives the amp more headroom to pump out the mids and "highs"...as i'm sure a lot of people here know, it takes more energy to amplify low frequencies, so get that shit out of there.

[tarnationsauce2]

Originally Posted by WhiteStrat

Wait a minute! I think we've all missed something obvious! Have you checked the volume on your palm?

Rofl!
......

[PhilGood]

...aaaaaaaaannnnnnd this thread is in the mic forum ...WHY?

[steve.h]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

...aaaaaaaaannnnnnd this thread is in the mic forum ...WHY?

Because he thought the mic might have been the problem?

[PhilGood]

Originally Posted by steve.h

Because he thought the mic might have been the problem?

OK. Continue. It just seemed to develop into a guitar or recording technique thread.

[steve.h]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

OK. Continue. It just seemed to develop into a guitar or recording technique thread.

See, that's the fun part: you never know where any given thread is gonna end up!

[drfringe]

right on
if you're recording into a PC you can probably playback while viewing the eq, and determine where the eq levels are peaking during the playback and either reduce these frequencies, or use a limiter or compressor to "attack" at certain times, but I'd recommend eliminating the source rather than the other way around.

[stupid_brian]

Right, thanks for all the input guys but i finally got it sorted tonight, dunno exactly what it was but, somewhere between:

-changing the strings
-turning the amp master down
-making a "loose" wall around the amp with spare carpet (stood upright) i thought it may absorb some boom or at least not reflect it
-turned treble on amp up

So, im chuffed now...no compressors needed =D