Help mixing guitars for metal/hardcore

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MattLaBonte

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For a while I've been trying to get a goo at for amp aim. I finally found one that in happy with. Amplitube with impulse and it sounds great. I do need to add extra oomph though. The palm mutes sound too trevor at times and overall needs work. Why can I do to the eq to add that touch so it sounds more professional. Also what else could I do? Compressor reverb etc.
 
I actually use/have used Amplitube and I have had the same issue. The thing is that its an amp modeler--you won't get it to sound EXACTLY like a real amplifier and there is likely no way you will be able to get that chunk and oomph you are looking for. I spent many hours playing with the settings in that program and I was completely dissatisfied with the tone I was getting, then I just decided to find a way to record the guitars and it was a hundred times better. I think even a lower quality recorded signal will still be better than the amp modeled one, if you can manage to actually record the guitars. However, if it is just more convenient to use Amplitube, then you might just have to live with it. I even tried doubling the guitars, compressing it, whatever I could do, and I only saw minimal improvements but nothing that really impressed me. Maybe someone else has had a better experience with this? That's just my personal experience, so its something to consider I think.
 
Problem is that since this studio is a home setting I can't mic up an amp without disturbing people so I have to find a modeling software. Are there any programs that I can use with impulses or should I get guitar recab for a better sound. Honestly though you would not be able to tell much difference between my amp micd and the amp sim with inpulse. I use a 5150ii live and micd so it's a flgot a great tone
 
frankthetank727 said:
I actually use/have used Amplitube and I have had the same issue. The thing is that its an amp modeler--you won't get it to sound EXACTLY like a real amplifier and there is likely no way you will be able to get that chunk and oomph you are looking for. I spent many hours playing with the settings in that program and I was completely dissatisfied with the tone I was getting, then I just decided to find a way to record the guitars and it was a hundred times better. I think even a lower quality recorded signal will still be better than the amp modeled one, if you can manage to actually record the guitars. However, if it is just more convenient to use Amplitube, then you might just have to live with it. I even tried doubling the guitars, compressing it, whatever I could do, and I only saw minimal improvements but nothing that really impressed me. Maybe someone else has had a better experience with this? That's just my personal experience, so its something to consider I think.
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I don't think you did it right. Modern amp modellers can and often do sound every bit as good, or better, than the real thing.
 
MattLaBonte said:
Problem is that since this studio is a home setting I can't mic up an amp without disturbing people so I have to find a modeling software. Are there any programs that I can use with impulses or should I get guitar recab for a better sound. Honestly though you would not be able to tell much difference between my amp micd and the amp sim with inpulse. I use a 5150ii live and micd so it's a flgot a great tone
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You need to just keep playing with it. In my experience, Amplitube is pretty good, but not the best. That software has a nasty habit of introducing a "whoosh" kind of sound at around 5khz. Do a sweep to narrow in on the offending frequency, notch it out, and it almost always sounds way better, meatier, and more natural.
 
Greg_L said:
I don't think you did it right. Modern amp modellers can and often do sound every bit as good, or better, than the real thing.
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I probably didn't do the "best" job, but I did spend alot of time with it really was struggling to make myself happy. It's just no substitute for the real thing. And I definitely agree with the sound whooshing at 5khz. However, since I recorded metal with this as well as the OP, I understand the problem with getting chunky palm mutes, it's very difficult with this particular software. I feel metal music often suffers most from something like software vs. the real thing because something as simple as a chunky palm mute, at least to me, can make or break the cool tones of a metal recording. I haven't tried other styles of music with Amplitube, so maybe it works better for regular rock music? The clean channels sounded alot better than the distorted tones.....
 
I'd bet most modern metal guitars are recorded with software, as are the drums, or at least layered and/or re-amped through software. Modern metal is very heavily influenced by digital studio trickery. I don't do metal, but have no problem getting the chunky "djent" sound that everyone goes for. Neither do tons of other people. It has nothing to do with metal or clean or anything. Problems with high-end amp sims are probably 100% of the time operator error.
 
Have you tried using a real distortion pedal in combo with the amp sim software...Ive tried that in the past and a real distortion pedal sounds better than amp sim distortion.

Your probably never going to get the sound you want from an amp sim...Ive tried for years and just decided to start recording an amp with mic instead however since you cant record an amp right now I would try doing some different things like using real distortion...I even used a real amp in combo with amp software and recorded directly...experiment and see what you can come up with.
 
And try different softwares. They all have a demo model. Peavey Revalver and Guitar Rig are really good.
 
just a comment .............. the greg uses real amps AND Guitar Rig ...... there's no way you can tell which is which.

So it definitely can be done.
 
It has to be tight, you can't sloppy the recording and expect the guitars to sound good.

Also: fight the metalhead in you and don't scoop your mids.
 
The recordings were correct. Played to perfection. Nothing less of perfect playing I'd allowed.
 
I posted a reply and it did show...............weird.......anyway, here it is again.

I had the same problem with Amplitube so ran my guitar signal through an outboard compressor before going into the computer. Fixed it up and I got great sustain also.

It comes down to the fact that you're only really recording a dry, direct guitar signal and Amplitube manipulates that. So the best you can capture that the better.
 
Except for 2 or 3 amp models ALL of the 'metal' amps in Amplitube are absolutely horrendous (Especially the scooped mid mesa-boogie clones). I think it's the british lead ones that I thought sounded wicked, I haven't used it in ages though. I could definitely get a good tone out of it though for palm mutes.

I tried peavey revalve, that sounded really good. Blew Amplitube 3 out of the water.
 
check out Izotope.Its fucking scrumptious. no need for miking anything.... If you want a nice heavy tone, check through the presets... i think one is called heavy drive tube or something...Naturally, i would suggest tweak it to your liking.. but believe me, trash is a beast.
 
I add my personal experience. Have you tried hardware modeled amps? Meaning "Line 6 modelers". I use Pod X3 Live to record and play live and i have found that the result is superb. I am not really all that familiar with the other software but I can tell you the people of Line 6 did a great JOb at modeling not only the Amp head, but also the cab and the Mic, even the mic position. I think this pedalboard is the best purchase i have ever done (musically speaking). Plus, I can say that even drum sims are really cool these days. Software music has gone a long way....
 
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