Thoughts on how to mix and record shoegaze-style music (My Bloody Valentine, etc.)?

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sk8man121

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Hello all...I'm new to the forum after a long time lurking. I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are on how to achieve a showgaze sound (My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Slowdive, etc.) in terms of the mixing and recording process. I've got a lot of time on my hands for the next few weeks, and I plan on putting together a record with my multitracker (which I'll record every instrument with). What are peoples thoughts on where to put each instrument in the mix, effects, etc? I could definetely use some help with this, as I'm musically inclined but am a bit of a beginner when it comes to the recording process. I really want a full, shimmering sound in the same vein as slowdive's souvlaki...any tips?
 
A lot of the sound that makes the mix in theis specific genre happens during tracking. It reuires a nicer room and different technique. This kind of stuff uses a lot of room micing techniques and generally just backing the mics off a bit. It isn't quite as upfront and aggressive of a sound as a lot of newer rock. Layering is done differently too. Seems like the guitars often get layered a little less, but often the vocals even more. It really does depend on a lot of factors though.
 
well one thing that I'm going to be doing since I don't have a lot of my equipment with me (mainly my guitar amp) is plugging straight into the multitracker, so the open-room scenario won't be a part of the process. Any tips as to how I can achieve a similar sound by plugging straight in?
 
Souvlaki sounds awesome. I love it.
There's a ton of synth in there and it's a very clean/sterile album. There's also a lot of effects too.

The drums are really snappy and tight, they work great with all the thick synth pads and stuff.

I'm not to fresh on where or what was used to record it, but you might want to scour these here vast fields of internets and you might find some good information.

I'm guessing you can get maybe 50% of the sound with synths and drums.
 
I've got a micro korg synth that I borrow from my roommate and i plan to use the hell out of it...any suggestions on which settings might lend well to this sound?
 
sk8man121 said:
Hello all...I'm new to the forum after a long time lurking. I'm wondering what peoples thoughts are on how to achieve a showgaze sound (My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Slowdive, etc.) in terms of the mixing and recording process. I've got a lot of time on my hands for the next few weeks, and I plan on putting together a record with my multitracker (which I'll record every instrument with). What are peoples thoughts on where to put each instrument in the mix, effects, etc? I could definetely use some help with this, as I'm musically inclined but am a bit of a beginner when it comes to the recording process. I really want a full, shimmering sound in the same vein as slowdive's souvlaki...any tips?
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shoegaze..ummm let's see. I think FUCKLOADS of guitar overdubs.. like 10+ is pretty usual, isn't it?
 
a lot of people tend to think that when they hear it, but in the case of MBV, I believe Keven Shields said there is a maximum of 3 guitar tracks on each song...
 
oh okay. I don't know much about that type of music =) Was just a wild guess.
 
take lots of time on getting a thick distortion sound then saturate it to hell with reverb.. it's all about the verb.. make sure the bass guitar has some good distortion or overdrive too.. turn that fucker up.

it's really tough to get everything sitting right without getting a muddy mess so be aware of that while you're tracking.
 
well thats exactly what im wondering...how can I mix the instruments to be sure that it doesnt just sound like a mess? I wanna get a nice clean stereo sound going but with the same fuzzy wall-of-sound guitar thing you're describing...
 
sk8man121 said:
well one thing that I'm going to be doing since I don't have a lot of my equipment with me (mainly my guitar amp) is plugging straight into the multitracker, so the open-room scenario won't be a part of the process. Any tips as to how I can achieve a similar sound by plugging straight in?
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Pray for a miracle?

Seriously. Going direct will not give you that sound.

Or anything even remotely close.

.
 
I'm using a tascam dp-01fx and it has a fairly decent on board effects unit...
 
sk8man121 said:
I'm using a tascam dp-01fx and it has a fairly decent on board effects unit...
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You just asked for tips on how to do Shoegaze.

And unfortunately, the use of your Tascam thingamabob ... is not particularly condusive to this goal. :D You can use it if you'd like, and I'm sure the effects are nifty ... but if shoegaze is what you're aiming for, then I'm afraid it ain't gonna get you to the dance, kid. :D Sorry to have to be the one to break it to ya.

.
 
I'm not willing to jump to that conclusion right out of the gate; a little experimentation can go a long way...
 
Don't be discouraged because of a lack of gear or large spaces at your disposal. Souvlaki and Loveless were great records because of the songs and performances and experimentation.

The "sound" of those records, and most records that people deem shoegaze, are different from one another if you listen to them. To me, as one whose music is often considered "shoegazer", the one aural link between all these fairly disparate acts is the use of spacial effects created by electronics. Reverbs and delays. If you make a rock or folk song, and drench it in delays and reverbs (especially the vocals), people will think "hey, shoegazer".

I would just have fun and experiment by adding artificial ambiance where it sounds good. One of my favorite tricks is to pitch-modulate a delayed signal slightly (like use an EHX Deluxe Memory Man or similar) to get some of that angelic halo of delay vibe.

Kevin Shields allegedly used some kind of cheap alesis processor to create reverse reverb effects for his guitar.
 
Effects aside ... the guitar sound is about the most crucial element.

And that particular style is really all about the sound of an overdriven tube amp cranked to the point of speaker distortion. The interaction of the tubes and speaker are basically what defines that sound (MBV, Siamese Dream, Silversun Pickups, etc.).

All of which is pretty hard to accomplish without, well, tubes or speakers. :D

That's not to say you can't experiment and come up with your own variation or take on things. From personal experience, however, going amp-less and going direct just always winds up having kind of a "beer comercial" vibe to it, for lack of a better way to put it.
 
so far I've got a pretty decent sounding recording going...the reverb saturation does an excellent job simulating an overdriven amp
 
Well, I guess if you like it ... then that's what's important then isn't it?

:D

Happy Holidays
 
i've actually come close to that sound. i'm pretty sure it can be done even when recording DI. i actually combined direct recording with recording an amp, and combining clean and distorted guitar.

you should combine different types of distortion, different pedals, amp distortion if you have it. even close miking a very small amp will help. even one of those little battery powered numbers. think DIRTY.

some of the distortion on those records sounds like the amp is about to blow. small amps driven to distraction eh distortion would be perfect for that and you can still keep the volume WAY down. if you have an amp with a direct out that might work too.

then you add some less distorted and some clean guitars. eq and mix to taste. think of each track as a color in your palette. the clean tracks could be way low in the track to give it some definition. you're mixing and matching sounds to get that magical shimmering effect. it's important that the different tracks are played as similar to each other as possible. you get something called 'natural flanging' by doing that.

as always, most importantly: have fun!
 
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