Sudden Guitar Stops... Gate?

[recedo]

Hi,

Just a quick question...

I'm after some sudden guitar stops in one of my songs (heavily distorted). I am having trouble getting it to stop dead by myself (i.e. palm muting etc). What I's like to know is how this is done 'professionally', is it just through the guitarists technique, or do they use a gate to get this 'effect'? I've fiddled around with a few gate settings and seem to get the impression that this is what is used, but I may be wrong!

Any help appreciated.

Simon

 

[turnitdown]

If you're using a ton of gain, an gate can be real nice for that effect.
I think (I may be wrong) that you are going for that Marilyn Manson type sound.

I also think a gate is critical when recording parts like that. I use a Hush II (80's model) set to FAST release....

Good luck, let us know how it works out...

 

[recedo]

Thanks for that, so it is what I thought!

Oh, and YES, thats pretty much the sound I'm after.

I'll let you know how I get on, I've been working on the same song for about 6 months now, and it's not really going far! The trouble is I never get much free time and when I do the most is probably about an hour. But, I'm getting more into it now!

Thanks again
Simon

 

[Ronan]

You are absolutely on the right track. Experiemnt with the release setting: longer for a more natural sound and shorter for a more obvious effect. I love this effect on heavy guitars.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

You can gate it sure...

But I don't trust gates... they can sound funny or clip stuff off that you don't want OR color your sound somewhat. Plus they cost money.

Myself I hand edit the waveforms after I've tracked everything and use volume fades to cut out the stuff I don't want, making sure it sounds natural yet tight.

It's the best way to do it even if it takes a little time.

 

[recedo]

Thanks, I have been experimenting a little tonight and it seems that you have to get the settings pretty much right or you end up cutting out stuff you want. I'll try manual editing and see how I get along with it!

By the way, most of what I am doing is a bit on the industrial/electronic side, so it doesn't matter too much itit sounds un-natural.

Thanks for your help
Simon

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

By the way, most of what I am doing is a bit on the industrial/electronic side, so it doesn't matter too much itit sounds un-natural.

One tip of advice from someone that has been doing industrial music for over 15 years: less (or no) guitar, more analog synths and plenty of sampling.

Guitar doesn't work too well for industrial. Then again, I hate KMFDM and Ministry and the legion of spin-offs they created.

 

[mixandmaster]

Make sure that if you're doing it in the computer, you mute any reverb/delays you may have in your chain.

 

[masteringhouse]

Hi,

Just a quick question...

I'm after some sudden guitar stops in one of my songs (heavily distorted). I am having trouble getting it to stop dead by myself (i.e. palm muting etc). What I's like to know is how this is done 'professionally', is it just through the guitarists technique, or do they use a gate to get this 'effect'? I've fiddled around with a few gate settings and seem to get the impression that this is what is used, but I may be wrong!

Any help appreciated.

Simon

Most likely a gate, mute automation, or both. One of the problems with a gate is that you can get "chattering" when for example you lift your hand from the bridge of the guitar to stop muting. In that case a bit of automation will help. I would also suggest that you save the gating for mixing, once it's recorded your screwed.

An engineer once told me that Blood Sweat and Tears' horn section was so tight thanks to the wonders of gating off of the lead trumpet.

Gating also works well to help tighten up a vocal double by sidechaining the double off of the lead vocal.

 

[recedo]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice, as soon as my arm stops aching (I've just got back from giving blood) I'll try out these methods. I think I'll probably go with using a gate and some mute automation, then maybe look at editing the wave (ie with fades and deleting the silence if you see what I mean, that way I can be sure no chattering or the like gets through!) if I'm not happy with the results of the gate.

Does anyone know of any good articles on the use of gates? I have the back issues CD-Rom (2003) of Sound on Sound, so I'll have a look through that.

Cloneboy, I would not call the sound we are after 'Industrial', I would say it is industrial influenced, but mainly guitar based, although we do have quite a bit of sampling going on and some interesting electronic beats. Think along the lines of Disturbed but a little less on the 'Nu-Metal' side. Best thing would probably be to wait until I have something rough for you to listen to (if you're interested that is!).

Thanks again
Simon