Why Can't I Get A Good Recorded Tone?

[Batman]

I would do the following: Crank it up. Real loud. It makes wonders with the recorded tone. Then try a tighter speaker. I use EV's for recording and V30 for live unmiked sound.

On technique, I would use more force. It means worse shredding but better livelier tone. Use your thumb flesh to get some harmonics. Dampen while playing. Get the tone to live with how you pick. If you play a straight tone it hardly matters how good the sound is, it sounds lifeless. Crappy tone but sparkle in your fingers, and it sounds nice.

Only my opinion. I thought your recording was decent, but the tone lacks life.

 

[sled]

let's start here...

your clip's volume is extremely low. why?

 

[johnnyjellybean]

You need a good preamp, preferebly a tube based one. Thats probably about it. Well that and turn the volume up a lot.

???????? Are API or Neve tube based? You're way off on that one!

 

[sg guy]

i agree with the "mic to hi-amp too low" answer.

playing sounds good to me!

 

[sixstrings]

Will it damage my DSL to pull two outer or inner tubes? Perhaps that will give me a bit better sound at lower volumes.

 

[amiller]

Will it damage my DSL to pull two outer or inner tubes? Perhaps that will give me a bit better sound at lower volumes.

I was listening to your clip and I really think the amp sounds pretty good. I think that if you put the lead guitar a little more forward in the mix and brighten up the rhythm with a little eq it would make a world of difference.

 

[nbarts]

Will it damage my DSL to pull two outer or inner tubes? Perhaps that will give me a bit better sound at lower volumes.

No, it wont give you a better sound. Pulling tubes makes sense only if you really crank the amp, at "lower" volumes this has no advantages.

The key to a great recorded sound is a really loud amp in a good room, as simple as that. I understand you may not have the opportunity to do this, but unfortunately there is no other way of really getting there. I've cranked my Herbert a couple of times that loud, it sounded phenomenal with a single dynamic in front of it, unfortunately I had the cops at my door before I could even record it. I've been screwing around for 2 years now to get that magic at lower volumes, but it ain't happening. You can make it sound OK, but not great.

My advice, get yourself a DI box, record all the the stuff direct & then reamp it in a good studio. Won't cost you much, will save you a lot of time & headache.

 

[sixstrings]

Will it damage my DSL to pull two outer or inner tubes? Perhaps that will give me a bit better sound at lower volumes.

No, it wont give you a better sound. Pulling tubes makes sense only if you really crank the amp, at "lower" volumes this has no advantages.

The key to a great recorded sound is a really loud amp in a good room, as simple as that. I understand you may not have the opportunity to do this, but unfortunately there is no other way of really getting there. I've cranked my Herbert a couple of times that loud, it sounded phenomenal with a single dynamic in front of it, unfortunately I had the cops at my door before I could even record it. I've been screwing around for 2 years now to get that magic at lower volumes, but it ain't happening. You can make it sound OK, but not great.

My advice, get yourself a DI box, record all the the stuff direct & then reamp it in a good studio. Won't cost you much, will save you a lot of time & headache.

Yep that's what I thought. Some of my amps have low power switches but they sound even worse at low volumes. When you crank them, that's when those low watt switches work.

Well I do have the opportunity to crank my amps every now and then, and I'm working on a small studio where I can get the volume up. That's going to take a while though. For now I'll try what you said. I haven't tried a DI box yet, and also some of my amps have direct out for recording.

I appreciate the feedback, thanks.

 

[sixstrings]

Hacksaw was kind enough not only to edit my sound file, but also give me a quick tutorial. Even though it was a shitty recording to begin with, his enhancements improved it. He adjusted the input level and added a couple of effects. Here's his edit:

Off to my mini-studio now to try again. Thanks everyone for all the help. I'll be back with better clips!!!

Hacksaw, thanks a bunch man!

 

[nbarts]

direct out on amps won't give you a clean DI sound, you won't be able to reamp it.

 

[joshsage]

Hacksaw was kind enough not only to edit my sound file, but also give me a quick tutorial. Even though it was a shitty recording to begin with, his enhancements improved it. He adjusted the input level and added a couple of effects. Here's his edit:

Off to my mini-studio now to try again. Thanks everyone for all the help. I'll be back with better clips!!!

Hacksaw, thanks a bunch man!

You tell that geriatric F*CK to keep his liver spotted hands off your track!!!!