How To Mix Distorted Guitars

[ecktronic]

I am curently mixing a tune for my band that i have already recorded. Well i have recorded the drums and the guitars and am recording the bass and vocals soon. I would like to know of any info about getting a good sound from heavily distorted guitars. They have already been recorded so i am needing rough eq boost or drop frequencies. I am thinking of compressing the guitars as much as possible without making them sound muffled so they stand out without them having to be loud and overpowering. I am thinking of adding a little reverb also just to thicken out the guitars sound. I might have used a bit too much distortion while recording, but i dont think i will be able to re record them. So please if anyone has any tips on eq ing and compression and maybe even limiting settings (rough ones as a guide) i will be very pleased. Cheers.

 

[chessrock]

What clothes should I put on tomorrow?

The answer depends: depends on whether I'm going to work or staying home. Depends on how hot or cold it is outside. Am I going out on a date? Hanging w/ friends? Neither? What colors look good on me?

I hope you can see the analogy I'm trying to make, here.

If I'm not happy with with my wardrobe, would you advise trying to spruce it up with a funky tie, dying them a different color, ironing them . . .

. . . or would you just advise I get new clothes?

 

[pennylink]

... So please if anyone has any tips on eq ing and compression and maybe even limiting settings (rough ones as a guide) i will be very pleased. Cheers.

Really depends how the distorted guitar sits in the mix. If it sounds right it might not need anything at all.

If it doesn't sit well in the mix, I would start with panning to give it its own space.

If that doesn't help, what frequencies does the guitar seem to be clashing with? If you have to use EQ, always try to cut rather than boost to get the desired result. Or you could adjust EQ on the other instrument(s) and leave the guitar alone. http://www.recordingeq.com/EQ/req0900/primer.htm would be a pretty good starting point to learn about EQ.

Unless the guitar sound is compressed to begin with (if it's miked through a tube amp with a lot of distortion it might well be sufficiently compressed already), you could use some compression, which will give it a fatter, more even sound. A small amount of reverb usually works better than a lot, unless you're looking for a specific effect.

Although this doesn't address your question directly, I really don't think there is one answer that will fit all the different possible scenarios; there are just too many variables. Ultimately you're going to have to try different settings while listening attentively and make up your own mind as to what sounds best to you.

 

[pennylink]

Here's another link http://www.recordingproject.com/articles/article.php?article=10&page=2 you might find useful.