Recording n00b needs help

[InternetH3ro]

I wouldn't really consider myself a n00b, per se, as I do know a little bit about recording. I am able to connect everything to get a signal in my recording software, adjust tempo and click track, record guitars, basic lo-mid-hi EQ, and some simple effects. However, I feel that I'm missing information that could be helpful.

This is my current quandary. I have a song I'm working on which is heavy metal based, and I think I currently have about 14 tracks for, honestly, 4 different sections. I've got a clean intro (1 track), then some heavy guitars come in with some lead stuff. The heavy guitars take up 2 tracks (panned L and R) for beefiness, and the lead stuff is two tracks (panned L and R) because one track doesn't cut through the heavy guitars, and I don't think I need to turn the channel all the way up. I'm guessing this is an EQ thing, but anything beyond a simple lo-mid-hi setup is beyond me. After this section is another heavy guitar section, which again is 2 tracks (doubled and panned for beefiness), then a different section that has more heavy guitars (2 more tracks as before), a keyboard track (which is actually a guitar but with the tone turned all the way done to sound kinda like a keyboard, I work cheap), then a solo on top of that which is 2 more tracks (doubled to cut through the backing heavy guitars), the the next section has a new lead melody part on top of the previous heavy guitars, and the new lead is another 2 tracks.

So as you can see, I have a TON of tracks for what is really just a few different parts. So I think it's obvious that I'm doubling a lot cause I don't know how to EQ properly to get the lead guitars to cut through the rhythm guitars.

So how do I remedy this? What could I be doing instead of what I'm doing now? Cause at this point, I'm going to use up all my available tracks before I'm halfway done with the song, and I know I shouldn't be using this many tracks.

As far as equipment is concerned, I'm basically running my guitar into my POD, out from my POD into my Inspire which is connected to my laptop. I'd use the Bandit and mic it (also have a condenser mic), but it sits against the wall that my daughter's room shares, and I can only record at night, which means no amp, so I have to stick with my POD. Not the greatest tone, but listenable for sure.

So, I know this is a long post, and I ramble quite a bit, but I just know that I should be using less tracks, I just don't know any other way to do it. Any suggestions/advice/links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[chessrock]

My advice: Use fewer tracks. And if something isn't cutting through, rather than doubling it (which does nothing to help anything cut through; I have no idea where you get that from) ... change the tone of the guitar, or turn up the volume on it until it does.

And by changing the tone, that could mean anything from dialing in a different amp model (something that shouldn't be too difficult with a POD) ... switching pickups, or changing the arrangement of the solo completely -- i.e. playing it higher up on the fret board if you have to.

EQ'ing stuff isn't going to help you right now ... and all the tracks you're piling on are probably counter-productive, and are likely creating more mudd and clutter in your mix than is needed -- just a guess.

And yes, you are a noob.

.

 

[InternetH3ro]

Oh yes, I don't deny my n00bness at all. I will do some playing around. I have a feeling that maybe my heavy guitars (which are the tracks I'm trying to get lead parts to stand out against) are probably too loud. I do thank you for the advice. As soon as I have enough posts, I'll post a link to my GarageBand account (or you can go to garageband.com and look for the artist "17Hours".

EDIT: And when I say "cut through", I mean that when I record a single lead track over the heavy guitars, it simply can't be heard, so I double it on another track.

 

[chessrock]

EDIT: And when I say "cut through", I mean that when I record a single lead track over the heavy guitars, it simply can't be heard, so I double it on another track.

Now I realize you're a newb and all ... but you do know what a fader is, right? Volume control? You can always turn those up and / or down to control the volume.

Just checkin'

.

 

[Dani Pace]

You might want to consider how similar the parts are. When 2 guitar parts are similar (note range and tone) they are harder to seperate. The notes and tones seem to overlap and become lost (slur together or become muddy sounding.) EQing may help a little but don't expect to gain a lot of distinction with it. Changing one of the parts so the sounds aren't in competion for the same "sonic" space will do the most to make both parts stand out as seperate and distinct parts. Also bump the volume up, it wont take much, on the parts you want to cut through, then back down on the parts where you want them to be more harmonic. Remember, the more tracks you use, the greater your chances of getting a muddy sounding recording.

 

[InternetH3ro]

Yeah, I know all about the faders, but I think my problem had more to do with the mixing of tones (ala Dani Pace's post) and EQ issues. I sat down with what I had recorded the other night, trashed my doubled tracks for the heavy guitars, and fiddled around with the EQ. Lo and behold, I was able to turn them down slightly and still maintained their presence overall. Then I re-recorded my lead tracks with a different tone, fiddled with the EQ on those as well, and was able to have them stand out against the rhythm tracks without having to double or increase the volume over 0dB. So I think I'm on the right track (pun intended, of course).