Double tracking guitars

[colimofsmoke]

I'm recording a lot right now, and Ive been doing this:

2 takes with different amp settings
3 mics: one sm57 on the speaker, and akg perception on another speaker, and another akg in the room about 6 feet away from the cab.

Then I pick and choose from the mics the two tracks that mix the best, which oddly isn't always the same. Then I play with the panning until it sounds huge, no real rule. Sometimes the thing that works the best doesn't seem to make sense. But I do usually start with the formula up top:

First Take: 1L 1R
Second Take: 2L 2R
End Mix: 1L+2R 1R+2L

And then go from there.

Barring having two mics, I do 4 takes, 2 on one channel with different eq settings, and two on a dif channel or mode on the Mesa roadster I had. Worked pretty well. You could try takes with different boosts or what have you. In general, I've always found trying to eq or delay and pan copies of the same take to just plain not work, whether with synth, guitar, whatever.

 

[scottywompas]

I try to find a rhythm sound that I want to be the signature of the song and track that, then I tweak the amp to sound a little different yet still work with the first track

Panned mostly left and right although again, it depends on the song. Usually the second or supporting track is just a hair lower than the main rhythm sound.

That's my thing

 

[wheelman]

For the lazy bastard could you just duplicate one take then alter one of the tracks eq's?

I have never really had much luck with copying over the same take and panning that way, you would have to add a slight delay to give it some space which would thicken it up, but just sounds better to double track imo, its the slight variations in performance that gives it the width and thickness imo

Thanks.

 

[bubbastain]

There is no right answer for this question. Whatever sounds good!

I personally use the same setup, mic, everything. 2 takes, one panned 96% Left and the other 96% Right.

In the past I have used 2 mics as a blendable EQ and done the technique mentioned above and then doing the same thing with the mic placed for lots of highs. Then in the DAW I will slowly bring the level up to taste.

Whatever floats your boat.

Your shit always sounds good.

 

[TremoJem]

I am just starting the process of putting together a studio.

CakeWalk- Sonar

So here is my question.

Would it be worth the time to use two amps with different power tubes, different mics and locations and then record?