How: Get better distortion sound for my recordings.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Luucifer66
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Luucifer66

Luucifer66

New member
Hey! :) I'm new to this forum, and it really looks like a place for me where I can learn a lot.

Okay, first and foremost. I have a more or less small home studio where I record both guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards and drums.
The unit I record with, is a firewire audiointerface called "Steinberg MR816 X". As I understand, this is a relatively good audiointerface.

So, when I record all my instruments, I connect them to the MR816, which is connected to my computer (PC). For drums and vocals, I use microphones of course. And by the way I use the Cubase 5 software.

Until further, I just plugged my guitar directly into the MR818, I have tried to work with EQ and effects in the Cubase program. But I can't really get any good distortion sound out of it. Obviously. I have also tried to mic up my amp (TBX150H 150W Amp Head with IS412C 4x12 cabinet) with my microphone (AKG C2000B), and work with EQ's. It sounds better, but far from the way I want it.

So, my problem is that I do not get any good distortion sound with my studio. I need some pretty basic tips, to find out what I need of equipment, or what I must do better.

I want like a death metal/progressive metal/doom metal sound. Dark, heavy and warm distortion. Something similar Opeth's sound, or Between The Buried And Me, Novembers Doom, Circus Maximus or Gojira. (These are just examples)

I have been looking at a few preamps, like the ENGL e530. But I don't how I can hook that up and use it, in the homestudio setup I have right now?

I appreciate your taking the time to read this and hopefully take the time to respond.

Feel free to ask if you need more information! :)


Mads
 
Wow, that sure is a long, long read! But it sure looks like something worth reading. Thanks for the link, mate. I will set aside a few hours for this!

Mads
 
Understanding the Bass Gtr and Guitar relationship is paramount. Making them work together as a single sound is the key. Just the gtr tone is not enough.
 
Micing your amp correctly, and adjusting the sound from the amp is the key. Remember that typically you need less distortion when recording than playing out live. Experiment! First adjust your amp to a sound you like, then play with positioning of the mic.
 
Thanks Sonixx, for the link. Was looking for something like that.

I see, mjbphotos. I guess you're right. I'll probably need a better microphone for instrument recording then. I've also been looking at some "Speaker simulators". Like " Palmer PDI-03 Speaker Simulator" this one. Says "The unit is directly connected to the speaker output of an amplifier, eliminating the need to mic up a speaker cabinet". Couldn't that be an idea for my setup and recording?

Mads
 
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