Horrible Guitar Sound

  • Thread starter Thread starter imacgreg
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imacgreg

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I recorded this gutter punk band today (think Citizen Fish, Clash, think kinda sloppy/trash punk) and the guitar sound I got was horrible. I thought it would be alright, but after bringing the computer home and listening to it, I don't even know where to start. The guitar player was using a Marshall head, but a little Danelectro fuzz/crap pedal for distortion. (why???) Any way, it was recorded with a '57 about two inches from the speaker on his 4x12. The sound is just muddy, I can't even tell what notes he is playing, it sound more like some broken synthesizer than a punk guitar track. Is there anyway you guys can think of to change this sound? Can I decrease distortion? Would reamping help? I am beginning to think the only solution is to rerecord, but I really don't want to do that.

Thanks in advance.
Ian
 
If you can't even make out the notes, I would re-record it.
 
given the type of music, he might not want it to sound like notes.... but if it sounds that bad, there's no fixing it - you'll probably have to re-record. The trick is finding out what went wrong - I'd make sure your '57 is working rite first, then go from there.
 
I've worked with a band whose two guitarists both use Danelectro distortion pedals, their distortion tones are the most harsh, brittle, overdistorted, muddy and generally crappy sounds I've ever heard. I don't know why, all I know is that no setting on those pedal sounded good. :mad:
 
Too much distortion = a bad recording.....ALWAYS record with less distortion than you think you need......
 
Take AC/DC for instance, they don't use near as much distortion as you'd think. That goes for all effects. Get it where you want it and cut it back a couple of notches.
 
I agree completely with Gidge and Wally, moderation is the key to a good recorded tone.

Now all you gotta do is convince the guitarist :D
 
Yeah,
i think I will have him rerecord the guitar tracks. The only thing I don't understand is that he's got this great Marshall JCM800 and he uses a 25 dollar distortion pedal. I always try to use less distortion, but it was a live recording and I just didn't think about it. Also, his guitar amp was peaking over 120dB, do you think the 57 couldn't handle it? I thought the 57's could handle up to 147dB

Thanks,
Ian
 
Distortion Pedal

I use to have a danelectro "grilled cheese" distortion pedal. It was crappy. I play punk music and it didn't have the right sound.

I traded it in and got a BOSS DS-1. It is really good. If want to spend more than get the even better BOSS METAL ZONE= more features.

CYA
Tukkis
 
I like an Ibanez Tube Screamer in front of a Marshall, and thats about it.....the Metal Zone is a nice pedal, I just sold one a fewmonths ago......
 
The JCM800 by itself will destroy the Danelectro's tone, no ifs ands or buts.
 
Less distortion and less volume and play with the mic angle.Maybe a condensor mic a few feet away for some room and "air" blended with the close mic.
 
Hey imacgreg!
Listen to what this guys have to say!
Less distortion for recording...YES!
Convince the guitarist...YES! (hard work...)
Play with the mic placement...YES!!
Add a Condenser for "room" and "air"...YES! (if you have one)

Do you have time to experiment with this guitar player?
If so, tie him to a chair, put him to play, and then start moving the 57 around till you get the coolest sound...
I usually record my "punk-sort-of" guitars (when I need them) with a Marshall Valvestate 40 (not the best) with a 57 in the front ("dead on" positioned) and a Rode NT2 about 2 feet away from the amp and "off axis". I Get this great sound...but it could not work for you..try everything you can...fool around with the mics...and if not working...then change the guitarist!

Peace

PC
 
Don't use toys for distortion pedals, especially for recording!
 
Thanks Guys

Thanks for all the replies, I totally agree with everything you have suggested. Personally I also have a JCM 800 and just use a 57 to get my sound. I am going to have the guy come in and rerecord the guitar tracks. I am also going to try using a Marshall 603 with the 57. I'll post after we record and tell you guys what I did.

Later,
Ian
 
I had this same problem once when I helped out at the local Uni radio station. Every Tuesday we would have local bands in to play live on air. Myself and about four other guys would have to set up the bands and do a soundcheck. Unfortunately the monitoring room was downstairs and the auditorium upstairs (hehe I say auditorium, it was a big room). I was on the mixer one night when a sort of punk/metal band was playing.

The guitarist had a nice Orange head and was using a marshall Jackhammer pedal. He had too much distortion and it sounded unclear yet over-abrasive at times when he played high up. I suggested he turn down his pedal a little but of course they dont listen... We eventually semi-rectified the situation by simply moving the AKG C3000 (not our choice of mic but a major recording session was going on in the Uni's studios so the had half the mics) to about a good foot and a half away! Sounded passable...

the band/guitarist weren't that good either... y'know what they say good tone starts with good playing...
 
I'm pretty sure it was the danelectro pedal that was at fault (mostly) so if you can get some other pedals for him to try out, if he insists on using the same tone again (and you really want to save the recording) you can cheat, record his horrible tone but use a DI box to split off a clean version, you can use this clean track later to run back out to an amp and dial up a decent tone. ;)
 
The guitar player is coming in tomorrow to record those tracks. With your advice here's what I'm going to do:
1. Get him to just play with his Marshall Distortion and have it cleaned up a bit
2. Or, I am going to let him get his own tone and sneak a DI out of him.

Thanks,
I will post again tomorrow.
Ian
 
let him listen to a rough mix of the tunes with the sound HE got and then see if he'll let you get the sound you need.......
 
Let him indeed liste to himself first

I would defenitely only let him use the marshall distortion. Better too clean recording, you can fix that later, than too muddy. also experiment with different mic settings (if not a live session with the band, place a condesor elsewhere in the room, of behind the back of his cabinet).

Also you can run him through a DI and put a mic before his speaker, and experiment with combining those two tracks later

greetingz

Brett
 
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