How's my tone? (metalheads)

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MaximumMetal288

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I've been working recently on getting a better guitar tone for recording. When my band records I have focused to much on the drums in the past, and now I'm finally starting to win the battle and move forward to getting good recording tones. I was messing around today and I think I've got something thats worth listening to, and hopefully some input can make it sound better.

I recorded this with my LTD DV8R into my Marshall 8100 that runs into a Marshall MG cabinet. I wish I would have saved somemore for a better cabinet, something with V30's but for some reason I cheaped out on the MG. The 8100 is a pretty sweet amp for what I spent on it, sure I'd much rather get a 5150, but this does great for now. I'm currently using a PG57 mic on the cabinet, and I plan on upgrading very very soon to a real sm57. I used Cubase LE and a Presonus Firepod to get it onto the computer. I recorded 2 different tracks, duplicated them and then I panned 2 hard left and right, then 2 half left and right.

I'm looking for a tone similar to Chuck Schuldiner's of Death, or Doc and Dallas of God Forbid, something nice and heavy. I can't seem to get it to sound like that in your face sound that is found on most pro metal recordings... but granted I'm in my basement, not Morrisound or Studio Fredman.

Well let me know what you think.
 
I actually quite like the sound, and it comes close to Chuck's sound on a couple albums. He also used Marshall Valvestates so that makes sense.

The first thing you want to throw out the window is the duplicating and panning thing. Just record another performance. Duplicating tracks contributes nothing to the sound except more volume. If you record another performance, especially with a different tone from the amp, you will add alot of fatness to the sound.

I would try doing one performance panned hard left, one panned hard right. Then repeat that. Try recording two tracks with a nice clear sound and two with a more saturated sound. That often works pretty well. On two of those performances you might dial out some low end on the amp as well because that will build up alot with multiple performances.

Personally I like to hard pan all the rhythm tracks for heavy metal as well but that is sort of a taste thing.

You mentioned Morrisound. I've heard of them doing 12 to 16 guitar tracks for a finished rhythm tone (Iced Earth).
 
I've tried doing multiple performances in the past, but I've improved the ability to play along to myself since my last attempt at that. I tend to throw in extra gallops without noticing, and that won't sound right if there are 6 tracks and 1 track on the left decides to gallop. I'll give that a shot though, and I'll try it with different tones.

Thanks
 
MaximumMetal288 said:
I've tried doing multiple performances in the past, but I've improved the ability to play along to myself since my last attempt at that. I tend to throw in extra gallops without noticing, and that won't sound right if there are 6 tracks and 1 track on the left decides to gallop. I'll give that a shot though, and I'll try it with different tones.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, you have to be very precise in your playing to pull that sort of thing off well. That does however help to make a great guitar sound in the studio.

Good luck with it.
 
What about recording with two (or more) different mics on the same cab then panning them.......isn't this essentially like playing two different takes as the coloration of the different mics comes through? Just curious as this is how I've been recording my tracks ( SM57 & Senn e609 original black face)

That "In your Face" sound has eluded me as well. :(

Rick
 
That tone is not bad at all. I think that some of that "in your face" ness that you are looking for would come from:

1. How it was arranged in a mix (how you had the guitars panned) and volume level.
2. tracking more guitars (at least one more ) like metalhead suggested using a slightly different tone or at least a different mic. The subtle differences in the way you play each track gives it a texture you can't get any other way.
3. Having a bass guitar behind it.

Taking all that into account, I think you could very easily get a Death or Iced Earth or other modern metal sound with this. You have a real good start at least.
 
WERNER 1 said:
What about recording with two (or more) different mics on the same cab then panning them.......isn't this essentially like playing two different takes as the coloration of the different mics comes through? Just curious as this is how I've been recording my tracks ( SM57 & Senn e609 original black face)

That "In your Face" sound has eluded me as well. :(

Rick
Click to expand...

Well, it's true that multiple mics can create a fuller sound, especially if you use different mics that compliment each other or put them in different positions (like one on axis and one off axis). But doing multiple performances especially with heavy metal rhythms really adds something else all together to the sound. It is the subtle differences in the way you play it each time that sort of build up the fullness. It also lets you get by with less gain and therefore more clarity and punch. When you add a couple of performances you make up for that lack of gain. Actually I think a mixture of these two philosophies works quite well. Multiple mics and multiple takes. :D
 
Man, if you cut your rhthym track, DONT TOUCH A THING. Don't waste any more time than having a smoke. Then as fast as you can double that bitch! You'll be amazed at how equal your two tracks are panned hard! If you fuck around and wait, it's a lot more difficult, and you can even forget what the hell you played. I always cut a second track before anything else. :D
 
I'm going to have to try and play two seporate tracks and then pan them.......maybe still using different mics and a bit of a different sound on each (less/more drive and mids??)

Well my intention is not to hi-Jack this thread in any way, but since we're on this subject I'd like to throw out a couple of modest clips that I would like to get some opinions/suggestions on.....if that's ok(??)

Here's a couple I've recorded using a SM57 on one side/track, and a Senn e609 on the other side/track. I'm not sure if I panned these though........I'm thinking no.(?)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=410286&songID=3214046

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=410286&songID=3163220

These clips where just made to demonstrate the different sounds from the a few of the amps that I have, so I threw a heavier one and an cleaner on in there for contrasting sounds for you to check out. :)

Any imput would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Rick
 
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