Just cut a track in the studio w/ VH4...thoughts? (ROCK)

[JoshXR]

So here is the link to the song:

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9159289

This is a studio demo - the tracks you hear are raw, no effects.

My rig was a Vh4 on top of a Diezel 2x12 rearloaded cabinet.

Channel 3, Gain 5, Treble 6, Mids 6, Bass 4.5, Presence 3, Deep 4.5

I used a Sennheiser e906 on one speaker, an Audix i5 on the other. Two rhythm guitar tracks with two mics each, so 4 rhythm tracks.

All tracks recorded with a PRS McCartey.

Let me know what you think! I am very happy with the sound...very thick.

Cheers!
-Josh

 

[Ventura]

Ya man, that's got the siggy Diezel V tone to it fer sure...

Nicely done. Catchy lil' ditty too

V.

 

[dass101]

It sounds great! You'll probably want to boost a bit of 5-6 kHz in the mix though (at least that's what I would do)

 

[JoshXR]

It sounds great! You'll probably want to boost a bit of 5-6 kHz in the mix though (at least that's what I would do)

In the guitars or the whole mix itself?

 

[dass101]

Just for the guitars, I like a little "hi fi" sparkle to the distortion. You have a very solid raw tone, which I think lends itself to a bit of eq-ing without getting shrill or harsh.

 

[JoshXR]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll mess around with that a bit next time I hit the studio!

 

[rockerjt]

I liked the sound of it; it doesn't have the typical metal tone that a lot of the guys on the net try to get out of the amp. I think you have a great rock tone there. This is the tone I hope to have when I get mine as well.

 

[Peter Diezel]

More low end

 

[Joeytpg]

sounds good man! agree with boths suggestions...some more high mids sparkle (5k) and some more bottom end, but the base tone is there and sounds very good

 

[JoshXR]

I liked the sound of it; it doesn't have the typical metal tone that a lot of the guys on the net try to get out of the amp. I think you have a great rock tone there. This is the tone I hope to have when I get mine as well.

Thanks man! The music I write and love to play sits in a unique position - I need a heavy thick sound, but not an overly gainy metal sound. My PRS has fairly low output pick ups, and Channel 3 with 5 gain gives me a great rock tone. It definitely gets pretty metal around 7 and 8 gain though!

And thank you for the recommendations and continued listening! I will try all the suggestions. I will let you know when I record another track with the VH4, my band has plenty of other nice recordings but they all use a Marshall JVM, haha.

Cheers!

 

[steve_k]

Aren't VH4's just the cream of the crop?

Certainly it will go down as one of the "Holy Grail" amps of all time. I never really ventured away from Channel 3 on mine, but Channel 4 has got some balls. Those two, and the fact that Channel 2 can get close enough to Plexi or JMP in a pinch, makes it that much better. Great FX loops, Send 2 functionality and the channel inserts (one of my favorite features), take these amps over the top.

Oh.....the tracks sound great. Meaty, big and melodic.

Steve

 

[spirit7]

Sounds great.

VH4s are the shizz. Couldn't bear to get rid of mine after getting a Herbert. They're too good together.

-C

 

[JoshXR]

For those of you who have recorded the VH4 before...

Do you typically layer the VH4 over itself, or track with other amps as well? I know Adam Jones does the Vh4/Marshall thing, what is everyone's experience with mixing amps?

Cheers,
-Josh

 

[judedog]

For those of you who have recorded the VH4 before...

Do you typically layer the VH4 over itself, or track with other amps as well? I know Adam Jones does the Vh4/Marshall thing, what is everyone's experience with mixing amps?

i do a lot of sessions mixing the vh4 with marshall style amps. usually friedman marsha.... it's a great layering combo

 

[Sinister 7]

Good Hard Rock tone from just the head and speakers.

Keep in mind that the mic placement is vital to reproducing your tone live so mark your cab otherwise it's a crap shoot. I've seen some stupid placements even after the guy saw where my cab was clearly marked.

Consider experimenting with an external EQ and dial in the tone even further. This means tons of takes of playing the same riff until you have the EQ curve with that channels knob settings and mic placement set the way you like it.

I'm with Peter here, more Bass (80-120htz) and some tweak of the Treble and Presence knob to get the bite. Don't know where the mic is but near the Dust Cap glue circle is usually a good place for Rhythm/Lead compromise and non mic'd shows.

 

[JoshXR]

Good Hard Rock tone from just the head and speakers.

Keep in mind that the mic placement is vital to reproducing your tone live so mark your cab otherwise it's a crap shoot. I've seen some stupid placements even after the guy saw where my cab was clearly marked.

Consider experimenting with an external EQ and dial in the tone even further. This means tons of takes of playing the same riff until you have the EQ curve with that channels knob settings and mic placement set the way you like it.

I'm with Peter here, more Bass (80-120htz) and some tweak of the Treble and Presence knob to get the bite. Don't know where the mic is but near the Dust Cap glue circle is usually a good place for Rhythm/Lead compromise and non mic'd shows.

I used two different mics, one on each speaker. Both were close-mic'd, perhaps I should try some distance mic-ing? in the past, I've always found it to wash away the guitar a bit, which I didn't like...