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So, many of you gave me great advice on how to capture some great drum tracks with a great drummer.
Now, I've got a solid, groovin' rhythm section, but my guitar tracks lack that "magic" that makes them sound larger than life. There's no sparke; there's no love.
I'm tracking through a fender strat (I've used this same guitar for thirteen years and it's a great guitar)
--to a Fender Champ
--to a Trident MTA Sig. Two
--with a 57 & a 2' distant NT2
--Into Nuendo via Delta 1010

I haven't used any compression going in because all I have is a Behringer and a cheap PreSonus.
I have Wavesand Sonic Timeworks compressors in the DAW, but I'm not sure what settings to use.
The tune is reminiscent of the Cars' 'Just What I Needed"
Dry, but slightly distorted.

Any help is always appreciated from u guys. :tu:

Allen

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drumsound Tue, 02/26/2002 - 21:11

Originally posted by DPAKid:
Jules,
I've got the Waves C1 comp that has a "sidechain" input, but I haven't yet figured out how to feed it a signal. I'll keep working on it. Let me know if you have any insights. :confused:

On the C1 you have to select sidchain, it defaults to wideband. It is not a sidechain like an outboard unit. It's an internal sidechain that is frequency conscious and can be controlled by the little graph and the control "tabs." It can be a shelf or a bell shaped curve. What you are doing is telling the compressor what to compress and what to ignore, in terms of frequency.

Guest Wed, 02/27/2002 - 02:56

Create an aux bus (mono) above the close miced drums... say it's aux bus 1

start with the kickdrum aux send put the level right up to "0".

Go to the C1 key input, click & hold and select the source for it to be aux bus 1

mess with the compressor (on insert on the gtr channel) select a fast release, 9:1 ratio (aprox) and move the threshold down until each kick drum hit causes the gtr to sound like it has been drop kicked in the throat!

used quite heavy on distorted gtrs this can give you an 'instant Sex Pistols" sound or a Smashing Pumpkins" surging grunge compressed effect.. trick is to set the attack (move from fastest back a little) and release tweak to taste .. to surge in and out sort of "in time" or in an attractive way, find that setting with it WAY exagerated... then back it off - A LOT. (I often set this up in private as it can cause panic to the artists during the early stages of 'set up')

creep in a little feed from the snare and toms perhaps - but usualy just kick is fine / best.

This gives me the 'club PA maxed out' sound, or 'sound of 'overdriven car stereo within an inch of it's life' sound...

It simulates an intence mix pumping FX but is controlable..

I often create a group for all rock gtrs and bass and do this trick to it with a stereo compressor with a side chain Key input as described above.....

BTW if you hate thePistols or the Pumpkins you might hate it this FX, some folks cant stand it!

It should sound GREAT on your just what I needed rhy gtr!

:w:

anonymous Thu, 02/28/2002 - 03:29

Originally posted by Alan Hyatt:
If you want magic for guitar tracks, get a Joemeek Compressor.

I own a VC1Q wich I happen to use a lot when tracking electric guitars.
I always find myself using a medium/slow attack and a very fast release on the VC1Q, with just 2 to 4 Db's of Gain Reduction...
What settings do you find usefull??