Recording Electric guitar...

Disposable · #1 08-04-2003

Just wondering...

What's the best way to get a thick smooth sound on a heavily distorted guitar track? My recording usually come out thin and scratchy... Any tips?

TexRoadkill · #2 08-04-2003

The first step is have a good amp and tone. If you have too much distortion it will be all scratchy sounding.

What are you using and how do you usually record the guitar?

Disposable · #3 08-04-2003

I am using a Digitech guitar processor to a Kustum 150W 2 x 12 half stack.
I am mic-ing the amp with a low-end condenser mic (but it sounds pretty good)
Sometimes I use an Audio-Technica Dynamic mic, but the sound doesn’t have the clarity as with the condenser.

Generally, I am recording straight to my computer… through a Soundblaster Live soundcard. The amp sounds great (thick and smooth) but the recordings come out thin and scratchy. Sometimes I record direct to the soundcard from my effects processor.

I also have a Tascam analog 4-track that I sometimes use but I prefer the computer, it’s much easier. I use a lot of distortion but I have to in order to get the sound I want. Plug-ins just don’t cut it. I just want a smoother sounding recording (more like the amp sound)

I play punk and metal so I don't mind a little bit of scratchiness but I am getting a bit too much.

grinder · #4 08-04-2003

Try moving your mic around, placement makes a hugh differance.And try backing off the amp gain.

Disposable · #5 08-04-2003

My amp doesn't have gain... just volume, I use the effects processor for all of my gain... Yeah I guess I'll just have to play around with mic placement huh? Would it be better to use the 4-track or the computer to do the initial recording?

grinder · #6 08-04-2003

Well, then try backing off your processors' gain.Distortion buzz is around 7k, try cutting that back a little also.I don't know if it would make much of a differance as to you recording in digital or analog, with low end analog anyway.If you really like the sound coming out of your amp then it is probably just a matter of finding the right mic and mic placement to capture the sound.

Disposable · #7 08-04-2003

Thanks man. Hey is there a trick to micing the back of the amp (open back) as well as the front? Should that be done? Or should I stay away from doing that? I've heard that micing the back can produce a smoother sound...

coplinger · #8 08-04-2003

Do you like the sound you are getting from the amp? Which cheap condensor mic are you using?

Disposable · #9 08-04-2003

Yeah I really like the amp sound. I am just using a radio schack condenser made by audio-technica, I think.

coplinger · #10 08-04-2003

aha!
did you say you were recording straight to your sounblaster card? Are you going through a mixer or mic pre first?

Disposable · #11 08-04-2003

Oops, yeah I go through a mixer first. To bump the signals up to line level.

coplinger · #12 08-04-2003

I'd guess its either your mic or the soundblaster card. If different mic placement doesn't do it for you, try upgrading one of these.

Disposable · #13 08-04-2003

I think it's most likely the mic placement. I don't use much precision most of the time.

Disposable · #14 08-04-2003

I get good sound from bass, drums and vocals with the card and mics... I just haven't tried a whole lot in the way of mic placements for guitar.

Speedy VonTrapp · #15 08-05-2003

Disposable,

Check out the "Big Mic Thread" in the microphone forum here.

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...threadid=27030

That's a link to it. It's freakishly large, and there's a LOT to it, but it's the most in-depth how-to, when, and where to use mics, and how they work that most of the people on this site have ever seen. It's worth the read through all of it. Save it, too, for reference. That thread will help you with your mic placement big time.

2muchstuff · #16 08-05-2003

Try pushing the wave form as much as you can digitally. I've found, on a PC, that although going too far is harsh, going too low on the visual wave thins the sound. I push it pretty hard, where it looks like it's peaking continuously, but doesn't give the cold crash sound. Some of my best distortion guitar recorded on PC was from tracks I though I'd have to throw away because the gain was too high.

It's a thin line to walk (with my system, anyway) but I have a feeling that your problem is with you being too careful not to distort the computer recording. It's a good rule to follow, but you have to break it carefully if you want your guitar to sound hard. It can be done, with experimentation. I've found the mic placement issue to be of varying small degrees of sound, but the gain can get big or small fast. Try overloading the gain and getting the PC noise, then take it back a notch. Skirting this line has given me harder, very good, distortion guitar than I ever got on tape.

Blue Bear Sound · #17 08-06-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by grinder
Distortion buzz is around 7k,

No - far lower than that.... a guitar amp has a steep roll-off after about 4KHz....

Disposable · #18 08-06-2003

Cool, thanks guys.
I generally do really shy away from clipping when recording...
I have an Automatic Volume Limiter System on my soundcard that keeps me from clipping... should I keep that turned on or should I turn it off?

Blue Bear Sound · #19 08-06-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Disposable
I have an Automatic Volume Limiter System on my soundcard that keeps me from clipping... should I keep that turned on or should I turn it off?

....definitely OFF, as in "get that shit off of there NOW!"

Disposable · #20 08-06-2003

Haha, it is really that bad? Usually, I don't come anywhere near clipping but I guess maybe I should try it...

Blue Bear Sound · #21 08-06-2003

Minimal signal path is usually a good rule to follow.... don't put anything in the chain unless it needs to be there...

Myx62 · #22 08-07-2003

Have you tried DI with your Digitech? I have a Digitech and get good results from DI and I play the heavy shit. Then I may Mic an Amp for a Double track and then clone a track and spread them out in the Mix. The Bass Mix can make a big difference. You can make a weak rhythm gtr sound Fat with the right Bass mix.
Just my 2 pennies worth.
Myx

Disposable · #23 08-08-2003

Yeah, I DI with the Digitech a lot... but it takes a lot of work to adjust the sounds to get the sound I want...

Blue Bear Sound · #24 08-08-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Disposable
...but it takes a lot of work to adjust the sounds to get the sound I want...

er, yeah..... that's what sound engineering is all about! You think you can just slap a couple of mics up and call it a day?????

grinder · #25 08-08-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Blue Bear Sound
No - far lower than that.... a guitar amp has a steep roll-off after about 4KHz....

Is the distortion buzz at around 4Khz?I thought guitars rolled off more around 7-8 khz but, I don't have an RTA.

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