No Quarter/Black Dog Fuzz

[LSGoCards7]

When I tell some people that the No Quarter/Black Dog fuzz was an overdriven compressor straight into the console they don't believe me. I made this quick video to show that an overdriven compressor is that sound. I also explain the gear I used in the video (R9 and Pro Tools). For those of you that already knew this fact enjoy the video!

 

[tjmicsak]

Not a bad example but a bit too fizzy.
I found out years ago JP did alot of this stuff running direct to board when it was suggested by a studio engineer for me to run my overdrive into a direct box. I immediately heard the same tones as LZIV. At that time I was using a EHX Solid state "Hot Tubes" unit. That perticular unit had a hint of EHX Muff sustain while being basically an OD. I would not doubt that some real nice tones could be gotten from running alot of various pedals direct in that manner.
If you listen to that perticular album that technique jumps right out at you if you are listening for it or have done this before to know. Listen for that kind of synthetic trumpety OD, almost like a MIDI brass instrument sound on the guitar especially on the lower strings because of the way the lower frequencies are clipping.

 

[LSGoCards7]

Not a bad example but a bit too fizzy.
I found out years ago JP did alot of this stuff running direct to board when it was suggested by a studio engineer for me to run my overdrive into a direct box. I immediately heard the same tones as LZIV. At that time I was using a EHX Solid state "Hot Tubes" unit. That perticular unit had a hint of EHX Muff sustain while being basically an OD. I would not doubt that some real nice tones could be gotten from running alot of various pedals direct in that manner.
If you listen to that perticular album that technique jumps right out at you if you are listening for it or have done this before to know. Listen for that kind of synthetic trumpety OD, almost like a MIDI brass instrument sound on the guitar especially on the lower strings because of the way the lower frequencies are clipping.

You're right it was fizzy, but that's because Pro Tools M Powered Essentials doesn't let you have more than 3 plug ins at once and I needed all 3 of them for compressors to overdrive. When I had just to it didn't distort enough. When I added an external EQ in Audacity it made it sound a lot closer.

Edit: I actually just threw it onto a No Quarter backing track and it sounds almost exactly like the record. I think the "fizzier" sound fits the mix better.

 

[drewl]

I guess being cheap and poor as a young musician, running guitars into boomboxes and stereos saved me alot of time trying to emulate that sound

 

[LSGoCards7]

I guess being cheap and poor as a young musician, running guitars into boomboxes and stereos saved me alot of time trying to emulate that sound

Hey whatever works!

 

[circusinthesky]

Yeah, that definitely sounds like a console overloaded. I wonder of the Tube MP van do that. Any pedals that can get that buzzy tone?

 

[Bloomfield fan]

I believe Black Dog also features a Leslie speaker but in the stationary position mixed in as well.

 

[TubeStack]

Sounds fun.

You gotta fix the middle of the NQ riff, it's not quite right.

 

[Coach]

cool post I dig it

 

[csills]

when i read the title, i was prepared to come in hear and tell you that it sounded like a guitar lined in, so good luck with finding a fuzz like that lol.

 

[LSGoCards7]

Yeah, that definitely sounds like a console overloaded. I wonder of the Tube MP van do that. Any pedals that can get that buzzy tone?

The only thing I've heard get close is a ZVex Fuzz Factory. Even then though it's not the same thing.

 

[LSGoCards7]

I believe Black Dog also features a Leslie speaker but in the stationary position mixed in as well.

You're right. There is a Leslie with the fuzz on the riff parts and the solo is all Leslie.

 

[LSGoCards7]

Sounds fun.

You gotta fix the middle of the NQ riff, it's not quite right.

If you're talking about after I got done with the main riff I just played a little something to show what it sounded on single note stuff.

 

[rob2001]

I guess being cheap and poor as a young musician, running guitars into boomboxes and stereos saved me alot of time trying to emulate that sound

When I was a kid, my dad had an old reel to reel recorder with a 1/4 input for a mic....and it had TUBES!!! I'd plug my memphis strat into it and crank it....didn't know I was on my way to figuring out the secret of great tone! Actually, it didn't sound that great...it had a tiny 6x9 speaker...maybe an extention cab would have been pure gold!

 

[LSGoCards7]

No, he meant the riff itself...it's a little off.

Where is it wrong? I just listened to the riff from the record and compared it to mine and they are the exact same. I even looked at TSRTS to see how he plays it and I played it just like he does.

 

[LSGoCards7]

Half way through...

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/l/led_zeppelin/no_quarter_tab.htm

I swear that is what I played! I learned from the same tab you posted, LOL! It might sound wrong because the tone is very trebly and it should sound a little lower, but it sits in the mix quite well when I put a No Quarter backing track behind it. But, whatever the video was a tone demonstration. As Jack Black would say, "Let's get rockin'!"

 

[dudelove]

Wait, so what do I need to do to sound like that??

I really dig the tone you're getting for the no quarter part.

 

[LSGoCards7]

Wait, so what do I need to do to sound like that??

I really dig the tone you're getting for the no quarter part.

All you need to do, if you have the required equipment, is plug straight into a recording interface with your guitar. Then in your DAW throw on compression plug-ins and turn the gain all the way up. Use as many compression plug-ins as you want, just enough to get the fuzz, I used 3. Then play away! BTW, it's okay if your DAW says the signal is clipping, it's supposed to!

 

[circusinthesky]

I tried maxing out an ART Tube MP. No go, but it begins to approach that maxed out tone. Two ran in sequence might get closer. I feel like my M9, with the proper EQ, should be able to get this. Maybe later in the day I can try.

 

[tjmicsak]

The part right after "they chose the path that no one goes" is alternating from root to fith starting on Dm but to G and F not to A and G. Sounded to me like you were playing I- V- IV instead of I-IV-III.
I think that is what he meant.