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I was wondering if a guitarists brings in his own effects processors(pedals), is it ok for him to use those on tracking? especially tracking to tape?

Comments

jg49 Sun, 02/22/2009 - 09:02

The use of processors has flourished as these units have improved and their cost has decreased. Most of the guitarists I record today use them and yes we record with them. I usually send a direct signal to a track and one to an amp which is mic'd.

When you say to tape are you multitracking?

The only other issue is that the pedals settings that artists use "live" are often "over the top" (too much effect) for a good studio sound, so be prepared to have to adjust your settings to get a good tone or sound. The other method that can be used is reamping after recording adding in the effects you want from your processor.

jg49 Sun, 02/22/2009 - 13:39

I use a Morley A/B switch but a powered DI might work better for you (my presonus accepts instrument level input.) This gives you a clean processor signal and a mic'd amp track that you can blend back (often use a couple of different mics or placements generating three or four tracks total.) These can be blended to achieve the best sound.

The other method you split the signal prior to the proceser recording the guitar direct (no amp or pedals.) Later you can send this signal back through the pedals/amps at different settings. Depending on your gear you may need a re-amp DI box, there are several on the market.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Re-amp

RemyRAD Sun, 02/22/2009 - 23:06

Sure, I record guys with guitar effects pedals. But while other folks seem to be using the direct inputs to record their guitars, with & without their effects pedals, I find that guitar amplifiers are more important to the sound of the guitar than emulators. Many guys need the regenerative feedback of an amplifier in conjunction with their guitar that cannot be obtained without a live amplifier. So like as mentioned, I'll also take a direct into a recorded track & also plays a microphone on the amplifier which is fed to another track. That way, that feedback effect, which cannot be obtained any other way, will in fact be recorded. The track then, after it has been recorded, can be fed to other amplifiers, in different acoustic environments & recorded with numerous other microphones to yet more tracks. This process cannot be duplicated strictly from direct input recording, since there is no acoustic element involved. I've always felt that 50% of an electric guitar sound is the amplifier/speaker combination. So many effects pedals today are digital. They are stereo outputs, less noise, greater manipulation of sound. Much better than some crappy pedals of the past. Power supplies are preferable over batteries. But if you're going to use batteries, make sure you always put in a brand-new fresh one before recording. I can tell you how many guys use to come in to the studio with half dead batteries. Batteries are cheap in comparison to studio time. Like me. I'm cheap in comparison to studio time. But I don't want to get into my personal life right now. I just think it's really cool that your name is yewish because I am Jewish like yewish & we are so foolish that I like my one fish, two fish, redfish, bluefish with our gefilta fish. But really, I go for the sushi first every time. You'll soon find that wasabi is much better during recording sessions than cocaine. I don't think Eric Clapton knew that?

I also love Uni with my directional microphones. Just keep the microphone capsules out of the soy sauce.

It's really difficult to fish for Uni since they don't bite. But they are known to be a bunch of pricks.
Ms. Remy Ann David

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