Distorted Guitar

[No-Bull]

I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times, but I don't seem to be having any luck finding such a post. So what is the best way to record a distorted guitar without making sound thin or on the other hand too mudy?

 

[Link]

Hi No-Bull

When I started out, I had the same problem. A lot of the time a "thin sounding guitar" will have to do with mic placement, usually because it is placed directly in front of the middle of the speaker...which i have found produces heaps more top end and tinniness.... But if that Isn't what you want, Try micing up your cabinet with the microphone a little off axis to the cone. Also try multiple mics and try mixing them together. If you have the option of doing so, it's always worth flipping the phase reverse switch to see what happens. I've managed to come up with some interesting guitar sounds just flicking that little switch. It's all a matter of experimentation. Another reason you might be getting a tinny guitar sound is that you are using an unsuitable mic! I used to use sm57's all the time on distorted guitars, and although they are good and crystal clear and reproduce every nuance of the sound, Ive still managed to get heaps bigger better and warmer sounds using a beyer M88. Man...Those mics are incredible. Especially on distorted guitar, just depends on what sound you're after But either way, the sm57 or the M88 are both good choices for recording distorted guitars....
Hope I helped!!!

 

[Link]

oops, another thing. Make sure the amp sounds the way you want it before you start. There is absolutely no point trying to get a nice sound thru a mic, when there isn't one coming out of the amp. To do with muddiness, this could be due to how close the mic is to the amp as well as the choice of mic. You've just gotta keep experimenting with how far away it should be. Generally, keep it close, but not so close that you start bringing in all disgusting bottom where the sound farts out on you. Now i hope THAT helped you at least a little

 

[Sonixx]

this setup works for me for heavier distortions:

San-Amp GT-2 at Vol = 12oClock

Marshall JBM-800-50W Combo, Clean Channel, driving the Stock Speaker and a 4x12 cabinet, in another room, loaded with 25W Greenbacks. for feedback, the JBM-800 is in the same room i'm playing in.

JCM-800 settings
Chnl Vol = 1.5 or just after a significant vol increase keep the vol low. it's still loud...
Treb = 10 oClock
Bass = 3 oClock
Master Vol = Full up

i mic the JCM-800 Combo with a SM-57-off axis, and the Greenbacks with a AT4033 or another SM-57, just depends.

each mic has it's own track and these are paned hard left and right or i mix to taste and to this mix i add a teeny-tiny bit of chorus, you can't tell it's Chorus'd at all, but it really add's some dimension to the tones. do this to taste. then maybe a bit of small room reverb. again. just a bit. a little goes a long ways.

-kp-

[Edited by Sonixx on 09-30-2000 at 05:47]