Recording Guru's. I have some questions!

[Bob Savage]

Let me turn this around a bit. Here's the latest thing I've recorded:

Backing track belongs to Tommi Inkila (from Petrucci forums). I only did guitars. Forget the cheesy guitars I wrote (was a quickie) and focus on tone/quality. Now, I honestly think that tone is decent. But it still screams "HOME RECORDING" to my ears. What would you say is "next step" without trying to "bite what i can't eat", so to speak. I was thinking post editing and I guess I was shooting for unrealistic and high-level stuff but I just can't think of what to do so help me out!

Thanks.

How do these guitar tracks sound to you? Do they sound too low in the mix? Not compressed enough? Etc... Is this anywhere near what you're looking for?

7 String Clip

6 String with Duncan Custom

Same 6 string re-recorded with a Duncan Distortion pup

 

[GRK]

Let me turn this around a bit. Here's the latest thing I've recorded:

Backing track belongs to Tommi Inkila (from Petrucci forums). I only did guitars. Forget the cheesy guitars I wrote (was a quickie) and focus on tone/quality. Now, I honestly think that tone is decent. But it still screams "HOME RECORDING" to my ears. What would you say is "next step" without trying to "bite what i can't eat", so to speak. I was thinking post editing and I guess I was shooting for unrealistic and high-level stuff but I just can't think of what to do so help me out!

Thanks.

How do these guitar tracks sound to you? Do they sound too low in the mix? Not compressed enough? Etc... Is this anywhere near what you're looking for?

7 String Clip

6 String with Duncan Custom

Same 6 string re-recorded with a Duncan Distortion pup

7 string felt kinda "all over the place". It felt like everything had so much reverb that they were distant like I was listening them live in a big room. I was able to hear things but not as "seperate" as I'd like to.

6 string however was miles ahead IMO. Much cleaner and more polished. 6 string clip is more towards what I'd like to have but it's still not this: https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=6006506

I know that's a horrible example cause the guy does it for a living. Listen to the guitar sound in there. It's not THE tone I'd like to have but it's the quality that amazes me. Not to bash your recordings in anyway. Cause they are much ahead than what I have right now. And I know that example I showed isn't great for everyone. Some people don't like it that polished I think. But I do!

 

[Bob Savage]

7 string felt kinda "all over the place". It felt like everything had so much reverb that they were distant like I was listening them live in a big room. I was able to hear things but not as "seperate" as I'd like to.

6 string however was miles ahead IMO. Much cleaner and more polished. 6 string clip is more towards what I'd like to have but it's still not this: https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=6006506

Are you referring to the rhythms and the reverb?

 

[Bob Savage]

but it's still not this: https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=6006506

I know that's a horrible example cause the guy does it for a living. Listen to the guitar sound in there. It's not THE tone I'd like to have but it's the quality that amazes me. Not to bash your recordings in anyway. Cause they are much ahead than what I have right now. And I know that example I showed isn't great for everyone. Some people don't like it that polished I think. But I do!

You do understand that a lot of that sound is the bass guitar, right (drums sound good too)? Also, I would be surprised if those guitar tracks were compressed on the way in. Has he stated he's compressing on the way in?

Nonetheless, to get that type of guitar sound you're are indeed going to need to compress it, probably with a multiband, but in the mix. You're also going to need to get your playing tight because there are at *least* two rhythm tracks there and at points it sounds like more.

Definitely a nice recording of the MKIV. Not my flavor, but very nice.

 

[GRK]

but it's still not this: https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=6006506

I know that's a horrible example cause the guy does it for a living. Listen to the guitar sound in there. It's not THE tone I'd like to have but it's the quality that amazes me. Not to bash your recordings in anyway. Cause they are much ahead than what I have right now. And I know that example I showed isn't great for everyone. Some people don't like it that polished I think. But I do!

Is that a modeler?

You do understand that a lot of that sound is the bass guitar, right (drums sound good too)? Also, I would be surprised if those guitar tracks were compressed on the way in. Has he stated he's compressing on the way in?

Nonetheless, to get that type of guitar sound you're are indeed going to need to compress it, probably with a multiband, but in the mix.

That's why I wanted a compressor. But I guess my approach was a bit above my skill level and budget. And no it's not on the way in I don't think. But I never really wanted the compressor in the way in anyway? I'm trying to find a way to compress during mix but with hardware instead of software basically. I don't even know if it's possible but that's why I ask

I do realize that bass and kick makes a lot of that sound what it is. I know if you listen to that track with guitar only, it's not gonna sound nearly as thick. That's why I can't really put my finger on what's missing (maybe not?) from my tone but if I'm not imagining things, there's still SOMEthing missing. Just can't point out. I'll try recording over a professional track if I can find one. Maybe that'll change how I perceive my own tone.

 

[GRK]

7 string felt kinda "all over the place". It felt like everything had so much reverb that they were distant like I was listening them live in a big room. I was able to hear things but not as "seperate" as I'd like to.

6 string however was miles ahead IMO. Much cleaner and more polished. 6 string clip is more towards what I'd like to have but it's still not this: https://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_so ... ID=6006506

Are you referring to the rhythms and the reverb?

I think it's more like the reverb on drums and chorusy effect on guitar. That might be a preference thing but I would tame those down a bit. Feels like it's taking the "punch" out of the track.

 

[Bob Savage]

That's why I wanted a compressor. But I guess my approach was a bit above my skill level and budget. And no it's not on the way in I don't think. But I never really wanted the compressor in the way in anyway? I'm trying to find a way to compress during mix but with hardware instead of software basically. I don't even know if it's possible but that's why I ask

I do realize that bass and kick makes a lot of that sound what it is. I know if you listen to that track with guitar only, it's not gonna sound nearly as thick. That's why I can't really put my finger on what's missing (maybe not?) from my tone but if I'm not imagining things, there's still SOMEthing missing. Just can't point out. I'll try recording over a professional track if I can find one. Maybe that'll change how I perceive my own tone.

Well, you original post asked about a compressor on the way in and your drawing supported that so yes, it sdid seem like you wanted it on the way in. I would learn how to use software compressors first. Is Zoran using hardware compressors?

I asked about my tracks because the rhythm guitars have no fx on them whatsoever. No reverb, no chorus, no EQ, nada.

Good luck on your quest. Keep in mind that you've got a LOT of learning to do and asking questions on a BB is not going to get you there. You must crack a book/article or two on your own and get some background before you can be helped.

 

[GRK]

Ah. Ignore this post. I quoted myself instead of editing.

 

[GRK]

Well, you original post asked about a compressor on the way in and your drawing supported that so yes, it sdid seem like you wanted it on the way in.

That's cause I don't know how to connect compressors outside of a guitar rig. I just imagined the first thing that came to my mind. I've used compressors before and I do have an idea what they do and how. But only IN the rig on live sound (i.e. guitar->compressor->amp not sure if I ever used them in the loop). Not in recording during mix or anywhere after mics for that matter. That's why my lack of logic in the diagram. I was just guessing hoping someone would correct me

I would learn how to use software compressors first. Is Zoran using hardware compressors?

I asked about my tracks because the rhythm guitars have no fx on them whatsoever. No reverb, no chorus, no EQ, nada.

Good luck on your quest. Keep in mind that you've got a LOT of learning to do and asking questions on a BB is not going to get you there. You must crack a book/article or two on your own and get some background before you can be helped.

Zorran DOES use hardware compressors. I should ask him how he's using them (during mix? before mix?). I'll email him and find out.

Interesting you mentioned no fx on guitras. 7 string definitely sounds like there's fx used on them. Not even from software? That's interesting.
6 string however sounds more pure indeed.

Oh well. Guess I have lots to read

 

[chalnger86]

Sounds like you got a lot of good feedback here. These guys really know what they're talking about. So, in order to get your "research" started, here's a link to an article that might help you out http://www.rightround.com/content/howtorock/122/. And like Bob said, good luck and I hope this becomes more clear to you. And as always an open mind will also get you a long way as well!

 

[IHateRap]

I think the starting point should be to capture the best tone you can: speaker-mic-pre-daw.

 

[GRK]

I think the starting point should be to capture the best tone you can: speaker-mic-pre-daw.

I think I did capture it. There's a link in the thread. I like that sound. Just needs some polish IMO. That's why I wanna move forward. Do some extra



Btw, I emailed zorran. He doesn't think going from sound card to hardware processors (compressors, effects processors, eq) back to soundcard is a bad idea. I think I'm gonna be doing that.