Solved Need a fuller sound

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danny.guitar

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I had posted this in the MP3 clinic but it was just a rough recording. So I learned it a little better and re-tracked. I'm happy with the sound and tone of the recording, but it just sort of has a "weak" sound to it. I really want a nice, full sound. Would I need to use compression?

I'm going to post a few links. One is an MP3 so you can hear it. The other 2 are WAV files that you can download and mess with it if you want. 1 is with FX, the other is completely dry.

I'd really appreciate anyone who would be willing to take the time to help me out a little and give me some advice and/or mess with the recording.

I'm a little lost on what effects to use and how to use them.

Right-click a link and click "Save As...":

MP3:


WAV (Dry):
http://www.dannydotguitar.com/hr/amazing_grace_acoustic_dry.wav

WAV (With FX):
http://www.dannydotguitar.com/hr/amazing_grace_acoustic_fx.wav
 
Im downloading both waves. The mp3 sounded really good to me. Do you want a more stereo spread to the tune? I can compress it some but you hate to loose the dynamics between the ligh and low strings. Help us out a little more. I'll mess with them later tonight or tomorrow and Ill post different mixes to my soundclick page.
 
Thanks Bushmaster. Sure, if you want to widen the stereo image that'd be cool too, feel free to do whatever you want to it.

I'm open to pretty much any kind of help or advice that would make it sound better. I'm pretty happy with the sound now but still think there is a lot of room for improvement. :)
 
Ok Ive done 12 mixes. Ive got them on my soundclick page. Follow the link below and scroll to the bottom of my tunes and you will see them. They are 128 mp3's but they dont sound quite as good as the waves. I used various delays settings, compression, stereo imaging, and a few others. No chorus was used (doesnt sound good on acoustics to me). There is some difference in some of the volume levels. Dont let this be your judging factor. I didnt level any of them. That can be done later. There are a few that are pretty delayed (one has an Elvis vibe). And I changesd the eq on a few. Pick your favorites and tell me what you like about each. I can then combine (hopefully) those features. And who knows maybe you wont like any. Let me know. Ive go my favorite :) Here is the link.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=695947
 
Wow, 12! I'm pretty tired right now but I'll listen to them & let you know what I think. 128KBPS can mess with the quality so I hope that doesn't influence my opinion...

1: Didn't care for this too much, delay sounded kind of obvious and guitar sounded kind of thin.

2: Levels sound more consistent, was compression used? I like this one, seems like it brings more life into the song. Unless I'm tired & hearing things. If you could tell me what you did on this that'd be great.

3, 4, 9: Sounds like a chorus effect but you said you didn't use chorus so I'm not sure. Sounds neat but not really the effect I was going for.

5: Really wide sound which I like. The delay also makes it sound sort of like it was double-tracked which is cool.

6: Delay settings on this sound better and a little more natural than the others. Things seem offset to the left a little too, I like it.

7, 11: Much more subtle than the others, sounds good!

8: Sounds similar to #7 but effect is slightly more noticeable.

10: Really wide sound I like it.

12: Wow lots more bass. Can hear some pumping going on with the compressor. ;)


I really appreciate you taking the time to mess with the song. I think #2 is my favorite, and ironically, seems to resemble the original more than the others and still sounds natural. It sounds very close to the original, but like the levels are more consistent and that's what I was trying to achieve.

#7 and #11 were my 2nd favorites, with the subtle effect on there. I'd be interested in hearing a higher bitrate MP3 version of them, because they sound really nice.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me out. :)
 
I'll do waves of the 3 choices. Number one is the Elvis mix. I new it wouldnt fly, but I threw it in. :) Number 12 actually is using a Bass expander. I wrote down what track had what but thats in my studio. Hopefully I can get them posted tonight or tomorrow. No chorus was used, but delays can resemble them. All were done with a Doubler vst and some compression (not all). I used some reverb at times but not alot. I will do the three and post a download link from my personal web site. Later
 
I can't listen right now, but try this:

First, edit any booms or other extraneous noises that are causing peaks. Especially the booms, if there are any, smack 'em down manually. I usually set a high-pass too, 40Hz should do.

Next, set the low-mid band of a multiband compressor after the fundamental lower tones of the guitar (80Hz to let's say about 250Hz). You don't need to use any of the other bands. Compress moderately and boost.

Watch out for harshness around 3kHz. That can be helped with a simple EQ cut, or the high-mid channel of the multi. Start with the de-ess preset and adjust as necessary.

Add highs if desired, but more like 8 to 10kHz shelf, and not too much! This stuff is like nutmeg, too much spoils the mix.
 
Tim - I'd be interested in hearing what you come up with.

Thanks mshilarious for the advice.

I'm not really going for a delay/chorus sound as it doesn't really sound natural. I still want it to sound natural, but have a "fuller" sound if that makes sense. :confused:
 
Danny, but fatter.:D

Somewhat limited with what can be done with it due to the booming low A and B. I got it as full as I could, balancing the dynamics control of the boom with trying to keep the low end full and as natural sounding as possible.

No verb or delay added.
 
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