Need recording/mastering advice (clip included).

[timowens316]

Hi All,

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right forum but I can really used some tips on recording and mixing down a guitar amp. I found a great backing track to We're An American Band and recorded a guitar track for the fun of it. But I just can't get the guitar to mix right, can any of you seasoned engineers take a listen to the clip and offer some tips on how to improve it? I did add some compressor, reverb and an EQ (set up as a low-pass filter at 8.5KHz) to the guitar track.

Here's a link to the clip in FLAC format https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_737571
Here's a link to the clip in WAV format https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_737584
Here's a link to the clip in mp3 format https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_737598

I'm not concerned about the tone of the amp itself, I wasn't trying to make it sound like the original, I'm mainly concerned with the recording and mastering process and how to make the guitar sound right in the mix. Also, my playing is poor, I have no excuse for that :)

EDIT: HERE'S A NEW TAKE DONE WITH THE PALMER PDI-09 INSTEAD OF THE e906 MIC
Here's a link to the same recording in mp3 format made with the Palmer PDI-09 https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_864035
Here's a link to the same recording in FLAC format made with the Palmer PDI-09 https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_864022

Thanks

[scottlr]

It would help if you had a file that we could listen to. When I click on yours, it opens Toast. Bounce to an mp3.

OK, I see you now have some options.

OK, better, but I really didn't want to have to download it.

My first thought is that you are merely playing along with the actual recording. The tendency there is to bump YOUR track louder so you can hear it. What you need is this song without the guitar track, so YOU can be the guitarist. What I hear sounds decent enough, but like I said, you are just playing along with the record, with YOU a tad up in the mix.

[timowens316]

It would help if you had a file that we could listen to. When I click on yours, it opens Toast. Bounce to an mp3.

Sorry about that, I've added mp3 and WAV, it's gonna take a while for the WAV file to upload because I have a slow upload speed. You should check out the FLAC format, quality as good as WAV but almost half the size.

[timowens316]

It would help if you had a file that we could listen to. When I click on yours, it opens Toast. Bounce to an mp3.

OK, I see you now have some options.

OK, better, but I really didn't want to have to download it.

My first thought is that you are merely playing along with the actual recording. The tendency there is to bump YOUR track louder so you can hear it. What you need is this song without the guitar track, so YOU can be the guitarist. What I hear sounds decent enough, but like I said, you are just playing along with the record, with YOU a tad up in the mix.

Thanks for the reply, it is a backing track though, there is some rhythm guitar, like during the intro, lead break and ending, but for the most part there is no guitar, only drums, bass, keyboard and vocals. Here's the backing track if you want to hear it http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/play/grand_funk_railroad/were_an_american_band.htm

[scottlr]

I thought the guitar sounded fine. I know I have a habit of mixing my newest track louder than it should be. You just recorded it, and you want to hear it. Later, I realize it needs to come down to sit in the mix. I like the tone you got just fine.

Listening to just the backing track you found, I see what you mean. Almost no guitar at all. Taking that into consideration, and the fact I like your tone fine, I'd say just keep working on the blend. As guitarists, we have a tendency to put the guitars higher in the mix than they should be. Like I said, you just recorded it and you want to HEAR what you just played. Once you get over that part of it, you need to put yourself in another mode, and just mix the song, not as the guitar player. Forget it was YOU that played guitar, and just mix it so it sounds good. It's a lot of fun, and I think you are going to do fine.

[timowens316]

I thought the guitar sounded fine. I know I have a habit of mixing my newest track louder than it should be. You just recorded it, and you want to hear it. Later, I realize it needs to come down to sit in the mix. I like the tone you got just fine.

Listening to just the backing track you found, I see what you mean. Almost no guitar at all. Taking that into consideration, and the fact I like your tone fine, I'd say just keep working on the blend. As guitarists, we have a tendency to put the guitars higher in the mix than they should be. Like I said, you just recorded it and you want to HEAR what you just played. Once you get over that part of it, you need to put yourself in another mode, and just mix the song, not as the guitar player. Forget it was YOU that played guitar, and just mix it so it sounds good. It's a lot of fun, and I think you are going to do fine.

Thank you!

[scottlr]

What are you recording with?

[timowens316]

What are you recording with?

Home-made Strat with humbuckers --> Splawn QuickRod --> Carvin Legacy 4x12 with Scumback M75's --> Sennheiser e906 about 2 inches off axis --> Motu UltraLite --> Sony Acid Pro.

[scottlr]

Cool. Keep at it!

[timowens316]

I lowered the level of the guitar, thanks for the tip.

[timowens316]

Here's a link to the same recording in mp3 format made with the Palmer PDI-09 https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_864035
Here's a link to the same recording in FLAC format made with the Palmer PDI-09 https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D847316_9961227_864022