Using reverb AND delay for lead guitar?

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solo.guitar

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I've got a shitty amp that I'm recording with and the lead sounds are pretty harsh.

I'm recording it dry and then adding reverb to it after to smooth it out a little which works pretty well actually (there is no reverb on the amp). I'm using the free GlaceVerb plugin in Adobe Audition.

This works and it sounds smoother overall, but I'm trying to get a 'thicker' sound to it as well. I don't want it to sound muddy, though.

Which one do you think should go first in the chain? The delay?

Also, anyone have any suggestions for delay settings to start with? Maybe like 10-20ms delay time? I've actually never used delay for anything serious so I don't even know what all the functions are for...feedback, etc.

Thanks.
 
use your ears. feedback adjusts the number of echoes. usually around 75% and higher gives an infinite delay.
 
This is totally anything goes territory, but don't forget to try some EQ also to tame those "harsh" leads. Then you can use the effects for effect, and not so much for cover-up.
 
Thanks, you're right that I need to use my ears to judge.

I've tried EQing a little, but when I came back to it after and listened to it again I just thought it sounded worse than before. I try my best to get the best sound possible while tracking to avoid having to EQ (because I'm no good with EQ).

Are there any other effects besides reverb/delay that can help a lead sound more thick, and 'smooth'? Or am I just going to have to accept the crappy sound I'm getting out of the amp? :(

If you've ever heard Guns N' Roses' version of Knocking On Heaven's Door, the lead sound on the solo is the kind of sound I'm going for.

Obviously I won't get that exact sound without the right amp, guitar, mic, playing style, etc., but I've gotten it pretty close with just reverb.

It just feels like it's lacking a little.

I've tried duplicating the track, so there's 3, one in center with volume at normal, and 2 others, each panned 15% left and right, with the volume way down just so it adds more to it, but the tone is still lacking something. :(
 
0-15 ms is generally percieved as a thickening of the sound.

But as the others have said, use your ears for the best answer.
 
Adding compression can also smooth things out and give a slightly thicker sound.

As for delay, there are lots of things to try and you really need to experiment. One thing I did recently was pan the lead hard right and have a short slap-back delay panned hard left. It didn't necessarily make it thicker, but it was a cool trick, anyway.
 
Yea I may try a compresser, I never thought of that before? :confused:

Adobe Audition has a built in 'compresser' but the interface is kind of confusing and I don't have much experience with compressers.

I did download the free Compresser plugin, MasterComp or something like that so I'll give it a try.

I found a link to a compresser tutorial in a guy's signature (Glen? or something?) so I'll probably read that before I try anything so at least I have some idea of what I'm doing...

Thanks for the help.
 
Avoiding EQ and getting it right during tracking is always a good goal, but the rule assumes that the source sounds good to begin with. In this case, where you are recording "a shitty amp", you're out of the realm of faithfully capturing a sound, and into the realm of sound sculpting. Do what works, for sure, but you may want to try the boost/sweep method of finding the offending overtones, and then put some cut on them.
 
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