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Hey guys, I'm having trouble getting my recording sound full. At least in my opinion. Here's some samples

http://www.myspace.com/septembersunderfire

http://www.myspace.com/tgatlozr

http://www.myspace.com/fallensilence

The drums are sequenced because right now I don't have a full kit and the drummer in the one, I haven't talked to in awhile. But Im in the process of making my own electronic drumset. Just need a module. and pedals. Another thing, is there anything like toontrack DFH superior thats a bit smaller and cheaper? But back to the point of this thread ha how can i make this all better! Sorry if i posted this in the wrong place. first time here. ha o and ive been playing MUCH heavier stuff than this lately thatd id like to record myself because no band seems to be working for me around here.

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anonymous Fri, 08/24/2007 - 15:09

Both my flat mates have them!
One plays in Antagonist in NZ! You should check them out
http://myspace.com/alwaystheantagonist

The guitars are all double tracked. That might be a way to beefen up your sound.
Basically you record your guitar part twice! Tough stuff!

You could also try some parallel compression. Im guessing your mixing in protools or something similar. Try creating a copy of the guitar track and then HEAVILY compressing it and mixing it with the Un/slightly compressed guitar. Can make it sound much punchier. Also maybe distort the 2nd guitar track depending on what plugs in you have.

Also re-amping is a possibility. Check it out here -->
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/production-tips/290714-preparing-your-tracks-reamping-guide.html

Edit: Just listened to your bands on myspace, sound pretty mean! The first song on September Under Fire is mean! You could possibly make the blasts twice as fast on the drums, it would make it sound way more aggressive.
Also the contrast between the chunky bits would be way more!

The 2nd track off SUF is way cooler IMO! You guitar sounds MUCH better! Liking the song more too!

Your, "The Path I Walk" Song is pretty cool! You should try double tracking the vocals and then also adding a deep vocal sound to back it up, IMO it would give it more"balls" and a way better sound. Try using a moving coil mic for the deep vox, something like a Beta52a. Also try doing your vocals on different passes (if you didn't already) It will give you more breath and power to do the low bits you are doing in your song! Mean solo ;)

Whew!

anonymous Fri, 08/24/2007 - 16:25

Doomith wrote: Both my flat mates have them!
One plays in Antagonist in NZ! You should check them out
http://myspace.com/alwaystheantagonist

The guitars are all double tracked. That might be a way to beefen up your sound.
Basically you record your guitar part twice! Tough stuff!

You could also try some parallel compression. Im guessing your mixing in protools or something similar. Try creating a copy of the guitar track and then HEAVILY compressing it and mixing it with the Un/slightly compressed guitar. Can make it sound much punchier. Also maybe distort the 2nd guitar track depending on what plugs in you have.

Also re-amping is a possibility. Check it out here -->
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/production-tips/290714-preparing-your-tracks-reamping-guide.html

Edit: Just listened to your bands on myspace, sound pretty mean! The first song on September Under Fire is mean! You could possibly make the blasts twice as fast on the drums, it would make it sound way more aggressive.
Also the contrast between the chunky bits would be way more!

The 2nd track off SUF is way cooler IMO! You guitar sounds MUCH better! Liking the song more too!

Your, "The Path I Walk" Song is pretty cool! You should try double tracking the vocals and then also adding a deep vocal sound to back it up, IMO it would give it more"balls" and a way better sound. Try using a moving coil mic for the deep vox, something like a Beta52a. Also try doing your vocals on different passes (if you didn't already) It will give you more breath and power to do the low bits you are doing in your song! Mean solo ;)

Whew!

hey man thats good stuff!! Thanx for all the great advice by the way!! i really appreciate it ill def. try all of it! I'm mixing with Sonar Home Studio 4 for right now cause my pc is 5 years old and has very little space left only 512 ram and a 2.0ghz processor. ha but i never thoit of trying paralell compression with guitar!! Ill def. try all this advice!! thanx man!!

anonymous Fri, 08/24/2007 - 17:27

yeah i used it many time ons drums in the past. Gives it that punch. I have a decent ammount of mics for a 16 year old with no job ha i have An Audix i5 I use for my guitars all the time i have 2 condensers one is apex 435 wide diaphragm and an MXL 604. And really thats all the GOOD mics i have i have a few target mics and 3 super cardoid dynamic mics i got for free called realistic.

THeBLueROom Thu, 09/06/2007 - 23:53

the key is unfortunately several things:
super tight playing
good amp
good recording chain
good micing techniques
and here is the biggest thing ...creating the space in the mix for the big tones.

after you get all that .. try double tracking with less gain on the amp for more articulation.

hey, I'm originally from outside of Pittsburgh, PA ...lived there for 18 years!

anonymous Sat, 09/08/2007 - 11:43

THeBLueROom wrote: the key is unfortunately several things:
super tight playing
good amp
good recording chain
good micing techniques
and here is the biggest thing ...creating the space in the mix for the big tones.

after you get all that .. try double tracking with less gain on the amp for more articulation.

hey, I'm originally from outside of Pittsburgh, PA ...lived there for 18 years!

Yeah the super tight playing i got down;) haha!! but seriously thanx bro!! appreciate the feedback what kinda mic do you sggest getting and what micing technique!! And while were here how do you give each instrument there space?? ive heard that so many times, ive looked into it and just ended up learning alot of things about soundwaves and stuff... never learnt how to give them there space??
Thats cool you were from here!! I myself wish I could move!! I have so many enemies here and there SO many druggies its not even funny ha

THeBLueROom Sun, 09/09/2007 - 00:22

well, there are numerous ways to get a good rock tone. I'll break it down to the basics the best I can: (first make sure the amp sounds good in the room ...very important)
Try an sm57 pointed directly at where the speaker meets the dust cover and about 2-3" away from the speakers grill. If that doesn't tickle your fancy ...move it in very small increments away from the dust cover and out toward the surround. The further you move away, the less treble you'll get and in turn more bass response. It's also a good idea to keep the gain lower than you normally would, so it's stays articulate and takes up a little less room in the stereo field. The more gain you track with the mushier it will become in the mix.

Now as far as creating space in the mix for big guitars ...that could take a book. For now, the short answer is experience and great tracking methods.

---------

I lived in Butler. My family still lives there and near cranberry.

tripnek Mon, 09/17/2007 - 09:11

TheBlueRoom has given you good advice, but to expand on it a bit:

To start with, if you want a great guitar sound you need a great guitar and amp. The XXL is a toy. If you want the killer tube sound, get a real tube amp. If you like Peavey, go with the 5150, 6505, or even the Ultra plus. I just recorded tracks for my latest on Saturday. Ended up using a Mesa Dual Rec, but auditioned also the 5150, 6505, ultra plus and a Marshall JCM 2000 DSL. All sounded good, but the Mesa seemed to fit the songs best.

As previously stated, the Shure SM57 is pretty standard for guitar, but I have heard many people say the I5 is even better. Not tried one myself, but it should be a decent mic. Also, if you have more than one preamp, try using more than one mic. Record them on separate channels and blend them at mix down to suit your taste. I used an sm57 with tube preamp, sm57 with solid state preamp MD421, AT4033, and a redbox. At mix-down I’ll use what I need and discard the rest.

Also as stated before, rhythm tracks should be doubled (recorded twice). Make sure that match well. Fix any inconsistencies with punch-ins. When doubled, the tracks will "seem" to have more gain (distortion), so that is why they suggest you turn your gain down more for recording than you would otherwise. Pan one track hard left and one track hard right. You will be amazed. Lead and fill tracks can be doubled or not and are most often panned in the middle.