27 second clip....Guitar tones?

[RAMI]

Hi guys,

Some of you are aware that I baught a new amp. I've pestered a few of you with help when I was choosing one and after I got one, and I really appreciate it.

I'm still getting to know the amp and I'm trying different settings, etc....

I'm wondering how the guitars sound here. Did I over-do the distortion? Are they too fizzy?

Don't mind the drums, I still haven't finished this and I haven't tracked drums yet, so it's just a drum machine for now.

I was going to erase everything and re-track the guitars, but I figured I'd see if people thought I should re-do them or if what I have here is better than I think it is.

Thanx a lot

1A

 

[powerkor_pgh]

I think they are a tad fizzy/muddy in spots, however, it is more than acceptable, it definitely doesn't sound bad, and mostly sounds 'right', but maybe boost around 4.5k, not really sure. I like it though. It's close to something that sounds great. I like how you layered the guitars in, very nice musicianship. Maybe try altering one of the layers to give more contrast when they are all playing together. Good job keep messing with it. Sorry I can't be of more help. I struggle with guitar tone also.

 

[miroslav]

I think it all depends on the context the track will be in.....the extra crunch/fuzz tone you now have may be perfect as is, and I kinda' like its "rubbery" vibe.

That's why I usually leave lead lines and that kind of stuff for last...even after vocals....so I can really gauge how it's working in context.
I don't place a ton of value in auditioning guitar tones by themselves...or at least unitl you have some game plan what you are after.
I know it can be fun to do that stuff, like in the HR Tone Thread...but it doesn't tell you anything about how a given tone will sound with other tracks.

 

[TripleM]

I thought they sounded good. I don't think you over did the distortion. I agree that a lot depends on how they work in a full mix.

I'm on headphones so I can't be sure... But it kind of sounds like there is just a bit of fizz in the real high end, which for an electric guitar, I'm guessing is in the 6K - 7K range. So I don't think you over did the distortion, but maybe turn down the treble/presence? But this is being real picky. It sounds good to me.

I'm also hearing some pops. Several in fact.

What kind of amp is it? And what kind of guitar were you using?

 

[RAMI]

I think they are a tad fizzy/muddy in spots, however, it is more than acceptable, it definitely doesn't sound bad, and mostly sounds 'right', but maybe boost around 4.5k, not really sure. I like it though. It's close to something that sounds great. I like how you layered the guitars in, very nice musicianship. Maybe try altering one of the layers to give more contrast when they are all playing together. Good job keep messing with it. Sorry I can't be of more help. I struggle with guitar tone also.

Thanx a lot for the listen and help. I'll play with the Eq a bit by the time this is finished.

I think it all depends on the context the track will be in.....the extra crunch/fuzz tone you now have may be perfect as is, and I kinda' like its "rubbery" vibe.

That's why I usually leave lead lines and that kind of stuff for last...even after vocals....so I can really gauge how it's working in context.
I don't place a ton of value in auditioning guitar tones by themselves...or at least unitl you have some game plan what you are after.
I know it can be fun to do that stuff, like in the HR Tone Thread...but it doesn't tell you anything about how a given tone will sound with other tracks.

OK cool. I agree that context is important. But these sounds are so different than what I was able to get with my older amp that sometimes I don't hear them with the right perspective. I'm not really auditioning them by theselves. There's a bass and there are drums, even though it's a machine. This is like a 3-piece band intro, so I think it has enough context to be able to hear if they clash with each other, or one or both are just too distorted, etc....Thanx Miro.

I thought they sounded good. I don't think you over did the distortion. I agree that a lot depends on how they work in a full mix.

I'm on headphones so I can't be sure... But it kind of sounds like there is just a bit of fizz in the real high end, which for an electric guitar, I'm guessing is in the 6K - 7K range. So I don't think you over did the distortion, but maybe turn down the treble/presence? But this is being real picky. It sounds good to me.

I'm also hearing some pops. Several in fact.

What kind of amp is it? And what kind of guitar were you using?

Thanx Trip. Not sure what the pops are. Probably a punch in on the track that I was going to re-so, not because of the tone, but I wanted to change parts of it, so I just punched in quickly so that I can post this clip.

I'm using a Strat into a Fender Super Champ X2.

Thamx for all the help guys.

 

[miroslav]

But these sounds are so different than what I was able to get with my older amp that sometimes I don't hear them with the right perspective.

I can appreciate that. Sometimes I go an amp binge, and will use one of my amps for a lot of stuff....then I'll try another amp, and of course it sounds totally different, so I then foolishly spend time trying to dial the tone I was so use to from the other amp, until I realize what I'm doing and then just accept the new guitar tones at face value.
There was a time when I had like one flavor of guitar tone in my head...and would end up trying to dial in the same tone no matter what amp I was using. Now I accept the flavor of an amp for what it is, and use it accordingly.

So like I said previously....I may work up a tone early on....but I save the lead guitar stuff for last, that way I can really dial it in.

The other option is to just go with a tone....no matter what. Sort of let it be what it is and just shape the song around it.

 

[Mickster]

I think it all depends on the context the track will be in.....

I like what you did. But without more context.........it's hard to say. Nice licks though.

 

[RAMI]

I can appreciate that. Sometimes I go an amp binge, and will use one of my amps for a lot of stuff....then I'll try another amp, and of course it sounds totally different, so I then foolishly spend time trying to dial the tone I was so use to from the other amp, until I realize what I'm doing and then just accept the new guitar tones at face value.
There was a time when I had like one flavor of guitar tone in my head...and would end up trying to dial in the same tone no matter what amp I was using. Now I accept the flavor of an amp for what it is, and use it accordingly.

So like I said previously....I may work up a tone early on....but I save the lead guitar stuff for last, that way I can really dial it in.

The other option is to just go with a tone....no matter what. Sort of let it be what it is and just shape the song around it.

Great advice buddy. Thanx a lot.

I like what you did. But without more context.........it's hard to say. Nice licks though.

Thanx Mickster.

 

[rayc]

Is good.
Might need a little bit of meat.
Wait for Greg to comment - he has a good ear for guitar sound. I have a good ear for holding up reading glasses.

 

[Greg_L]

Hey Rambo, I think this is the best I've heard from your new rig yet. It's 5:30 am and I'm listening on headphones, but these are my most trusted cans and I'd mix with them if I had to. I think the tone is rich and full and warmer than what you've been getting. This type of just-beyond-crunch gain fits your style and the riff. Whatever settings and mic position you used, I hope you wrote it down. I'd say it's a keeper.

 

[RAMI]

Is good.
Might need a little bit of meat.
Wait for Greg to comment - he has a good ear for guitar sound. I have a good ear for holding up reading glasses.

Hey Rambo, I think this is the best I've heard from your new rig yet. It's 5:30 am and I'm listening on headphones, but these are my most trusted cans and I'd mix with them if I had to. I think the tone is rich and full and warmer than what you've been getting. This type of just-beyond-crunch gain fits your style and the riff. Whatever settings and mic position you used, I hope you wrote it down. I'd say it's a keeper.

Awesome guys, thanx a lot. I just don't have an ear for what a good guitar tone is. Well, I do, but not on my own guitar. I thought this might be too distorted, but it's probably because if I got this much distortion from my Peavey before, it would sound like crap. So, I got to get used to not being scared of the tube overdrive of this amp, it's sounds way better than the Peave for distorted sounds.

I'll be posting the rest of this when I finish the tune.

Thanx Greg and everyone else for all the help.

 

[Greg_L]

I just don't have an ear for what a good guitar tone is. Well, I do, but not on my own guitar.

Sure you do. I remember you telling me you liked Angus and Malcom's tone, right? And Jimmy Page? Aint nuthin wrong with any of that. Their respective tones are like all-time greats in rock and roll. Can you match them with your rig? Probably not, but that doesn't matter. You clearly can identify sounds that you like. It's really easy to overthink your own guitar tone. You have all these ideas and various influential tones swirling through your head. I do anyway. I'm guilty of it myself much of the time. My personal favorite sounds that I've gotten are done when I don't think about it at all. It's especially nerve-racking with new gear. You just gotta trust your gut. It's your song, it's your sound. No one can tell you're wrong when you know in your gut that you're doing what you want to do.

 

[RAMI]

Sure you do. I remember you telling me you liked Angus and Malcom's tone, right? And Jimmy Page? Aint nuthin wrong with any of that. Their respective tones are like all-time greats in rock and roll. Can you match them with your rig? Probably not, but that doesn't matter. You clearly can identify sounds that you like. It's really easy to overthink your own guitar tone. You have all these ideas and various influential tones swirling through your head. I do anyway. I'm guilty of it myself much of the time. My personal favorite sounds that I've gotten are done when I don't think about it at all. It's especially nerve-racking with new gear. You just gotta trust your gut. It's your song, it's your sound. No one can tell you're wrong when you know in your gut that you're doing what you want to do.

Cool, you're probably right.

When I get home later, I'll have to record a few seconds of guitar and show you something weird. When I play 2 notes at the same time, I get this low end harmonic or rumble, hard to explain and it only happens when I play 2 notes together.