Can't Get Guitar to sound right when recording

[Simplex09]

Actually, the OP is obviously trying to get Kurt Cobain's tone, which was on the thin side. He's not trying to get a Grant Green or Wes Montgomery jazz sound, or a Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana or Duane Allman rock sound. His last post with the straight in recording isn't too far off the mark of Cobain's clean tone. A touch more bass might get there. Obviously the one thing that he's missing is Krist Novoselic's bass and Dave Grohl's thundering drums. They provide the bottom that Kurt didn't have.

He still needs to work on setting his DS-1. It's just "fingernails on the chalkboard" irritating, and sounds nothing like Kurt's distorted sound. Cobain also used several different distortion pedals over his career. A different pedal might be the quicker way to get to his goal. He didn't use the same gear over the years.

Changing a tube, or a new cable isn't going to do diddly. I have guitar cables that are over a dozen years old. As long as the solder joints are ok, they fine. If they start to cut out, I get the soldering iron out and fix it. My main cable is one built by a friend with a Neutrik Silent Tip plug on one end. He was selling cables many years ago as a hobby. It doesn't sound any different, but it doesn't go BUZZZZ when you try to plug it in.

Oh wow honestly I didn't think about just cutting off the wrapping and re-soldering it. I'm going to try that with one of the cables thanks for the tip!! I actually had a cable that couldn't be unscrewed so I know you can also just cut off the connector and just strip the wires and re-solder to a male end you buy on amazon. But thanks for the tip I'm going to try it I didn't think resoldering it would work.

 

[Old Music Guy]

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[Simplex09]

I have to post this. I've had no troubles recording with this setup. (BTW: This is my analog side.)

On the right is a Peavey RSM 4026 and below it on the rack is a TASCAM 16X08. I use the TASCAM mic preamps to condition the signal to the Peavey. Why? Because the preamps in the TASCAM are superb, and extremely quiet. Moreover, it gives me a significant amount of gain, with a S/N ratio >60dB, (and a Line Out if I want it. It also gives me the option of using a mic for the amp, preamp from the amp and/or both. I can monitor the output of the unit with headphones at this gain stage.

From the TASCAM I run the Line Outs to the Peavey's Mic inputs. This gives me another gain stage. This allows me to essentially fix the levels where I want them without having to worry about the S/N ratio. (I know this sounds redundant, but it really keeps the noise floor very low). The Peavey has a channel strip, pans, 6 AUX channels and 6 Groups. There are also Inserts for each channel so if I choose, I can send any or none of 6 channel to the dbx 266xl compressors. I purposely leave 2 channels "raw". I can also monitor the signal at that point. Even with LED meters, It's good to hear. (I wish they never did away with VU meters )

The Peavey has Direct Outs and Tape Returns which I send to the REVOX C 278. The REVOX pretty much takes care of itself. The inputs have a "CALIBRATED" setting which sets all 8 channels inputs to a fixed reference (meter) setting of 0dB. There is also an "UNCALIBRATED" function with allows for individual input adjustment. If I need to use that, I did something wrong early on in the gain staging. There is also a headphone output there to monitor the signal at the recorder.

The Peavey has Master outs, which is self explanatory.

I showed just three guitars. Each present different challenges for recording. However, if it's taken step by step, good things result.

No, I will not be posting any recordings, and don't call the number on the For Sale sign. It's not mine and the person on the end of that line is ... Well, just don't call.

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That equipment is really awesome! I bet it sounds awesome when you record to a tape like that!

 

[Old Music Guy]

That equipment is really awesome!

Thanks. Me and my friends use it to flesh out ideas. Some good, some not so good.
My comment about no samples was because, I haven't spoken to my band mates about it. And none of it is mixed. It's easier to record on tape than into a DAW.

 

[Simplex09]

Thanks. Me and my friends use it to flesh out ideas. Some good, some not so good.
My comment about no samples was because, I haven't spoken to my band mates about it. And none of it is mixed. It's easier to record on tape than into a DAW.

That's interesting.. So you record to tape then playback the tape into a audio interface into daw? I heard recording to tapes cause some cool effects to the audio that can't be done digitally. Well of course like amp sims you can always add in a tape effect to your track but not the same.

 

[Old Music Guy]

That's interesting.. So you record to tape then playback the tape into a audio interface into daw? I heard recording to tapes cause some cool effects to the audio that can't be done digitally. Well of course like amp sims you can always add in a tape effect to your track but not the same.

Analog has always been my choice. I find that a tape recorder is much easier to manipulate than a DAW: FF, REV, RECORD and PLAY. Overdubbing can be a challenge when I'm by myself, but, hey...
If there's something we agree on, I can bring the PC over to the TASCAM and send it to the DAW. Then the mix.
I also have a DAW/MIDI setup for a few keyboards that I can throw in pasta ideas. Some stick, most don't.

On the flip, no matter how cool that stuff looks, GIGO. "Garbage In, Garbage Out". You should concentrate on getting your thing together. Find your sound. Find your stage. I have 14 guitars, and each one speaks to me differently. I've modified the ones that didn't speak to me out of the box. Some I won't touch. I know what I want, I know which guitar I'll use, and know how to use it. You should spend more time loving your Strat and hearing what he/she has to say, and then give it a voice. That's your JOB! Lean in to it,

 

[rob aylestone]

Well, my DAW has FF, RW, STOP, PAUSE, PLAY and RECORD buttons? The only thing missing is rotating spools, alcohol and buds, screwdrivers and hiss.

To Simplex - please do not even think about tape. You 'have heard' so much that has totally messed you up, that even thinking about tape is daft!

Also - your mic placement on speakers got reversed a bit. Centre is warm, darker, fuller and the edge of the cone is brighter, more cutting, thinner and detailed. Plus, distance increases warmth and the other stuff and distance reduces it - as mic's that have a cardioid response do this by design.

Asa somebody said - plug in, adjust and ignore the numbers - find what you want.