Tech Death Metal recording through POD

[hellshock]

looking for another opinion out there-
home recording underway for the first time (used direct through POD in studio before with Sonar), not looking to have a major production but simply a decent recording through adobe audition 1.5 for myself. completed drum tracks with little problem but struggling with guitar POD, going back and forth between too much fuzz, too much mud, and losing crunchy distortion. emphasize Im new to the POD, and this is technical death metal work, with a 7-string (decent Ibanez), so you can imagine in recording through heavy riffing the low end is nearly indistinguishable at times.

considered recording clean and flowing through with effects/filters but not sure i want to go that way yet. could "experiment" until that tone is found but thought id do some research here first. any thoughts?

/yeah, recording and POD newb, no need for the pointing and laughing
//laughing alone is ok

 

[metalhead28]

Are you doing at least 2 guitar tracks? I would try using less distortion than normal and layering the guitar tracks. Perhaps one performance per side with a bright and somewhat cleaner sound, and then 2 more performances with a dirtier sound.
I think experimentation with layering is where you find the perfect guitar sound, at least in a situation like that.

 

[hellshock]

Hey man appreciate the reply. Was planning on doing two tracks (normally hit two in the studio) but never had the time to experiment around. Now pretty much on my own to figure it out.
I didnt think to have the patience with layering more than two tracks, was believing I could capture that crunch I have with my Crate by tweaking an output and selecting a different amp model.
Never chose to have ADD, or be a perfectionist.
By the way, badass site (any studio with a visible 'Individual Thought Patterns' poster has my upmost respect) and work, thought I was hearing Dillenger Escape Plan for a second. Do you traditionally hit one or more clean tracks and follow up with some overdrive-loaded performances to layer and pick up those distinct notes (or you probably have better equipment)?

 

[metalhead28]

By the way, badass site (any studio with a visible 'Individual Thought Patterns' poster has my upmost respect) and work, thought I was hearing Dillenger Escape Plan for a second. Do you traditionally hit one or more clean tracks and follow up with some overdrive-loaded performances to layer and pick up those distinct notes (or you probably have better equipment)?

Yeah I am a Death fanatic, thanks for noticing.

For people that don't want to or can't do more than 2 tracks, I record a DI along with the original tracks so that I can re-amp those performances through multiple amps.
For instance, on the "D.E.P." style band you heard on my page, I recorded a right and left track through his Mesa Boogie and I recorded a DI along with each performance. (most any DI box will have a thru output to an amplifier so you can do that at the same time). Then I sent the DI through a re-amp box back out to my 5150 to do a second track for each side. With the 5150 I used less gain and more punch since he had dialed in a really saturated sound on his Mesa.
That's far from my ideal guitar sound but it's what they wanted.

Basically, if you don't want to do more tracks and you don't get the ideal sound with only 2, you might look into re-amping. If you want to stay with modeling, you can get the same results by staying in the box and using a software modeler for your guitar sound.

 

[Thurgood]

Noob is a perfect place to be. You can only learn and do no wrong! Anyhoo, Metalhead28 has a great suggestion about the DI split, works wonders. I also use a pod (for its versatility and ease of use). I own many fine amps, Mesa, Marshall, Fender, Peavey etc.. but you use what ya got. You may try a track with a clean but full midrange then double with a scooped Recto sound. Also, with the pod, the stock settings are generally crap, particularly the Recto model. Try different cab settings, on/off axis mic's. The post model eq can make a world of difference. Remember, no sound stands alone it must jel with the rest of the mix. Further, guitars recorded in a room GENERALLY have the 80 hz and below rolled off. Leaves some breathing room and minimizes rumble (which a model won't have but hey it is a tried and tru technique) You may also want to re-record your guitar track by blasting it through your monitors and mic'ing that up. Provided you have a good set and hopefully a decent room. I don't, but it sometimes helps out a sterile drum track by adding some room sound. Yeah Yeah, off topic. YMMV. Be patient, experiment, learn and always be a newb to new ideas while becoming more proficient and professional. Peace.

 

[hellshock]

Thanks for the recommendation on the DI split. Theres no problem recording more than two tracks for guitars, only that in my experience yeah, obviously things get cluttered and tracks lose their distinction when you dont work with them. Layering and hard panning sound like a better approach to finding that sound than searching for it on a POD (and yeah, the setting presets LICK, glad Im not the only person who thinks so). Experiment and learn I can do, I dont know what the hell ---> "be patient" maybe a spelling error.

Death was amazing. Chuck aught to be on a stamp.

I can live with being a newb, having a reputation power on par with chicken pox kinda bites...

 

[amra]

yea man, experiment with the cab models. Different cab models with the same amp model can yield drastically different results....especially for leads.