Royer 121 + UA SOLO/610 to MOTU = GOOD

[Mickey_C]

Well, now what I'm hearing sounds like a guitar.

I can't figure out how to mix down from cubase though! any quick tips? I'd like to post something of this for advice.

EDIT: Clip is now four posts down.

[Bryan T]

No idea on Cubase, but the 121/610 combination sounds like a great pair. Can't wait to hear it.

Bryan

[Dickie Fredericks]

heheh glad you found it out. I prefer the 121 with the Great River or Vintech 1272 pre.

Cant go wrong with the solo though...

[Mickey_C]

(it finally sounds like a guitar!)

Royer121 and UA SOLO/610 (http://www.soultoneamps.com/clips/CleanWilburTwo)

EDIT: And the clip from the end of the thread with the 2nd guitar added. (http://www.soultoneamps.com/clips/OvertrackCleansWilburTwo.mp3)

I notice playing it back out here on my internal speakers it sounds different than the phones... guess I need to learn how to EQ next. This is the 121 and UA of my Wilbur amp running volumes at about 4 (cleanish).

Oh yeah, that's a McCarty with IRW neck.

[Mickey_C]

So what's next? Limiter? Compressor? Is there a "how to get the kill guitar sound with Cubase for dummies" book?

[Bryan T]

So what's next? Limiter? Compressor? Is there a "how to get the kill guitar sound with Cubase for dummies" book?

Microphone placement is the first thing to mess with if the amp already sounds good in the room. Compression/limiting will depend on the track.

Bryan

[Mickey_C]

For amp demos is it better to keep the tracks dry like that one, or should they be EQ'd/and FX'd? I've noticed most amp makers have them sounding kind of dry, but you can still hear a bit of reverb on them.

[drfrankencopter]

FYI, figure-8 mics have the most amount of proximity effect (bass boost with sources in close proximity) of any directional mic. Remember this when you go to EQ your track...you might need to do a shelving cut on the low frequencies to clear out some mud. This has certainly been the case for me with my RCA77 when set to figure-8.

Killer guitar tone....get it happening in the room first. Experiment with mic position. Tweak the EQ. Double/triple track if that kind of sound is desired, or add time based effects for making it wide sounding. Remember to leave room for the other instruments...sometimes the best guitar sound is really the blend/interraction between a good bass sound and a good guitar sound. In general I've found that limiters/compressors for guitar are unnecessary....except for clean guitars, or funk, or some other place where a compressed sound is part of the genre.

As for cubase help.....I have none as I seem to be allergic to it.


Cheers

Kris

[Mickey_C]

Thanks for the advice!

Ironically, the only thing I will be recording is single track guitar amp settings. It's all to demo guitar amps that I'm building. The irony is that clearly with equipment like this I could make some killer sounding tracks now, and I'm at a point in my life where my only interest is in making short amp clips to let people know what the amps do.

I know that when I take the clip and put it through a verb and a gEQ, it's nuts how good it sounds.

I'll start playing with the mic placement. Right now it's logo side facing the amp, with the head of the mic parallel to the floor and 6" out dead on axis with the dust cap.

[Denyle_Guitars]

IIRC, Cubase has a quick mix feature. I think you do "export" and select "mixdown".

The clip sounds great.

[Mickey_C]

I found it. and it can even export as MP3. Here's what I've learned about cubase. EASY TO USE. SUPER EASY. IMPOSSIBLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE. OR VERY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I guess that means it's super powerful simple, but not very obvious.

I just did my first 2nd track in 20 years. This is fun.

Both tracks are the amp with the clean settings (still getting power amp distortion), and then I found the Roomworks Reverb under the channel settings, and put that on the second guitar. It has almost a delay sound.

Still the Royer and UA. I'm diggin' this!

Two Wilburs, both clean(ish) (http://www.soultoneamps.com/clips/FirstOvertrackCleansWilbur.mp3)

[Dickie Fredericks]

I think ribbons just work great for guitar. I like the M160 too. Beyer....

I agree on proximity affect too. That 121 will do wonders on a 4 x 12 cab... Tim Gilles is the master of recording guitar IMO. Distorted rock guitar that is...

[Mickey_C]

I tried cleaning up the mix some - less reverb on guitar two (there's none on one). (http://www.soultoneamps.com/clips/OvertrackCleansWilburTwo.mp3)

So should I be moving the mic forward or backwards?

I know the software does automation, I need to figure it out still so I can compress the pop at the start.

[mtlin]

Sounds really nice Mickey. Lot's of amp clips strive for a dry sound because that creates the illusion that the listener is getting the "unvarnished truth." But recorded guitars can sound a little weird if completely dry, especially if solo. Try a small room setting on your reverb plugin. Set it so it sounds good and then reduce the level gradually until you can't hear it anymore. It will still impart some space and ambiance to your recording, but it won't draw any attention to itself. My view on EQ for amp demo clips is to do what ever you need to do to make it sound good. It's not like the mic, the preamp, and everything else aren't already shaping the EQ.

[E-Rock]

Sounds great! I love Royers on gits. Mix it with a 57 for a little more bite.
Be careful of EQ on guitars. It phase shifts things and your guitars start to sound mushy and undefined. Get your sound at the amp and with mics and placement.
Your going to love that Royer.