Recipes For A Good Guitar Sound Options

[jspadea]

I'm using an m-audio firewire solo, which i believe is something like 24/96khz quality. not the best but far from the worst. should be able to produce a decent sound with the right tweaking. I have an excellent fender that cost over 1000$. Sounds great through any amp.

I cannot, for the life of me, get a truly satisfying sound through logic express. I've tried mic-ing my amp, plugging my amp into the interface, and of course just plugging the guitar into the firewire. If I play with the EQ and other sound options in Logic, I can make it better, but still not satisfying. It still sounds - processsed I guess is the word. A very flat guitar sound without much life.

Anyone have any recipes with logic effect settings that sound very good? Or advice for getting a better sound?

[monkeyboy23]

Change your strings frequently. That alone can make a huge difference.

I wouldn't expect great sound from the audio interface. Presonus makes some nice, inexpensive pre-amps that could help you out.

Use a subtle chorus effect, stomp box or otherwise, to add some motion.

When using a mic, I often place the mic about an inch or so from the grill of the amp. If I want a fuller sound, I place the mic on-axis at the center of the speaker cone. If I want a thinner or brighter sound, I move the mic to the edge of the speaker and point it off-axis toward the center of the speaker. I usually record the amp with two mics and mix in the room mic to taste. Firewire Solo sounds like a one preamp deal, so that may not apply to you, but it's something to think about.

Get some good cables. George L. makes some great guitar cords.

Try doubling the guitar track in Logic. Copy the guitar part, add it to a new track and shift it back or forward between 5ms and 20ms for a thickness. You can gently chorus the double (if the original isn't chorused). I pan the double very slightly to one side or the other of the originals location sometimes.

[afterfx]

Your audio interface is fine. You can even get good takes from the 'built-in audio' on your mac at 16/48. DO NOT spend more money on more gear.

Like monkeyboy said:

Some chorus, some reverb and doubling are always a step in the right direction.

It's not the gear.

You can get great guitar sounds straight out of logic. It just takes a little poking around and listening.

Rotsaruck

[edge100]

I'm using an m-audio firewire solo, which i believe is something like 24/96khz quality. not the best but far from the worst. should be able to produce a decent sound with the right tweaking. I have an excellent fender that cost over 1000$. Sounds great through any amp.

I cannot, for the life of me, get a truly satisfying sound through logic express. I've tried mic-ing my amp, plugging my amp into the interface, and of course just plugging the guitar into the firewire. If I play with the EQ and other sound options in Logic, I can make it better, but still not satisfying. It still sounds - processsed I guess is the word. A very flat guitar sound without much life.

Anyone have any recipes with logic effect settings that sound very good? Or advice for getting a better sound?

You likely don't need better gear. I have an old M-Audio USB Duo that I can get very nice guitar tones from. The problem here is that you're comparing what you hear in the room coming from the amp to what you're hearing through your monitors via Logic.

First, what Mic are you using, and how are you micing the amp?

This will have an enormous impact on the sound you capture. In case you're not aware, the "standard" has been to take an SM57, slam it up against the amp grill at a 45 degree angle, a few inches from the speaker cone, and capture this. This will give you a VERY in your face rock sound, with little or no influence of the room. If, on the other hand, you want a more balanced tone, I would do the following. Leave your SM57 as above (If you don't have an SM57...get one TODAY!), and add a large diaphragm condenser (LDC) about 3-4 feet back from the amp. Track BOTH mics. Now bring up both faders in Logic, and you should have a much fuller tone. Now mix to taste. Remember though, if your room stinks, the LDC will capture it, so this works best if you have a decent sounding space to put the amp.

What amp are you using?

I have found that if you're trying to capture a dirty tone (OD or distortion), a little goes a long way. Don't overdo it. Some subtle TS9-style overdrive records very well and gives a surprisingly thick tone. Back off the volume and OD (if applicable).

What monitors are you using?

You didn't say, but how are you listening to all of this? You'll likely notice a difference listening to an amp versus studio monitors. The guitar tone you record should be nice on its own, yes, but ultimately should be best in the context of the mix, and these are often NOT the same. The monitors you use will go along way to making sure your guitar sits well in the mix.

I usually record all of my guitars through a PodXT (usually with either an AC30TB or Twin Reverb sim), which ISN'T as good as a real AC30 or Twin, but gets the job done, is sufficiently tweakable, and totally recallable (not to mention silent at 2:00AM). I think my guitar tone is pretty good like this. I also record amps, via the two mic method I mentioned, and they've always sounded pretty nice. Logic has an OK built-in amp simulator, but I've found it a bit harsh and sterile compared to even the PodXT.

Also, remember that rhythm guitars can be doubled and hard panned, which gives a nice spacious sound. Also trying doubling using different chord voicings (Amaj open vs. V position barre, for instance), different guitars (my Rickenbacker and Les Paul are totally different beasts, but go quite nicely together), or different amps (AC30 and Twin, once again). Studio recording is NOT the same as live playing. Take your time, be creative, and you'll get the tone you're after.

[fishboisfo]

Hello

IK Multimedia has a product called Amplitube. Check it out !

http://www.amplitube.com/Main.html?prod_AT.php

It may be what you're looking for -- and since it is VST, it will just load right in.

good luck

-fishboisfo

[mortalengines]

How loud are you recording your amp is pretty important as well. You really want to have it CRANKED (I mean stick it in a closet stuffed with pillows & close mic it if you have to) to get that really present sound. The preamp will help as well. I am using a Mackie Onyx 1220 (has 4 nice pres) and am quite happy when I close mic a loud amp.