"Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

[Jackson Distortion]

Ever entered a recording studio armed with your amp only to have it 'rejected' by the producer? I hear stories of this, like the producer doesn't like sounds of a particular amp someone may bring of their own.

I can understand a producer suggesting his own pet studio amps and being used to guys walikn' in with amps on their last legs or their own tone is really not going to sit well in a proper mix- without at least redoing the amps eq.

I've read some producers allow players to use their own amps- because that is the players sound even though the producer may not be a fan of the model and others push their own.

Also (as not to start a new thread), are you one of those guys who walks into a studio wanting to sound exactly like someone else? I would expect this to be very common- and it is... dudes armed with CD's trying to sound like GN'R, Metallica, Queen etc;. This question is not to put anyone on the spot, I am just amused.

 

[Nate]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

If I entered a studio and someone told me that I could use any amp except my own to lay down my tracks, they would feel a quick, yet possibly lethal prick of my Universe through their rectum.

But that's just me.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

I would place greater trust in the ears of a "real" studio engineer than my own.

I would not hesitate to try out any recommended gear.

I would definitely try to step back and objectively view tones and if necessary overrule my ego about equipment- especially when it comes to recording.

Story: I did a record at a "big kids" recording studio. The engineer suggested I use the big ass Ampeg SVT & Fridge cab. That head and cab had been used on a LOT of records, probably a LOT of records you all have heard. I tried to get a sound I liked out of that thing, and after A/Bing it with my Seymour&cab, even the engineer agreed my amp suited me better.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

There is always the issue of fitting in the mix. "Your" sound might not fit, and would be lost in the mix.

The producer is supposed to keep the bigger picture (read: final product) in mind at all times. The engineer is supposed to make it work.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Yeah, if you wanna play the pro game you gotta be willing to work with people, esp if they know what they are doing and have something in mind.

You have to read the situation. I have played 3 situations in the last 6 months where I really left it open - hey, this is what I have what would you like me to bring? Some people don't really know and you can intimidate them if you don't guide them thru the process AND play some head games.

I try to at least lay a game plan - uhhh how about we try this? what do you think of...? did you have a certain amount of tracks in mind? Can I suggest? If you give them that kind of assurance, they will love you all the more.

These days, high priced gear, ESP VINTAGE GEAR, impresses people the most. A handbuilt fuzz pedal, vintage Marshall or Fender, and an old guitar (Gibson or Fender) and most people will shut up. For modern styles, some people differ from loving software like Guitar Rig 2 to Pod XT's to loving gear I might not be as inclined to use like Mesa Boogie Dual Recs.

I'd say be careful, some producers are really NOT testing you and your gear so much as how you handle situations. Fail that test, and you might regret it.

 

[Voxman]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

I understand you,but there is a thing or two to know about studio recording.
First of all,when your playing your amp in a room you hear a stereo sound mixed with the room sound.(stereo because you have two ears,right)
When your amp is recorded with a mic it becomes a mono signal and can sound completly different than you want it to sound.
Most pro produsers know how to recreate your sound easy and that doesn`t nessesary include your amp.It`s a bit complicated to explain in a few lines
but it`s all about fitting and recreating the sound

 

[More-Gear-Than-Skill]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

better to bring it along and then discover something nice once there, than to find only nasty stuff there knowing your hand wired custom is at home...unused! horror!

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

If I am paying for the session, I will use what I want. Unless we are talking about obviously inferior or broken gear its all about the engineers ego and comfort zone. Its one thing for me to know a Vox would be great on a track but not own one and use the studio's amp. Its quite another for an engineer to say "I don't like Marshalls, your going to use my Mesa" He has no idea what my artistic intent is, he is just being lazy. The one single possible exception to this would be if the money is really tight and there is no time to get sounds. Using gear the engineer knows will save time.

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Honestly, all the albums I've heard where the artist had 100% control of the tone were either horribly produced or had extremely ****ty tone.


On the other hand, all the album's I've heard where the amps were reamped and 100% in the hands of the producer come out sounding great.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

I think if you hire a producer like Butch Vig, Daniel Lanois, Mutt Lange etc. you hire those guys for "their" sound. As an artist you should have a vision of how you want your album/track to sound and find a good match. If you go to the corner studio and the engineer or producer there says he want's it his way try and be opened minded but in the end it is your music and you are paying for it in either case.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Honestly, all the albums I've heard where the artist had 100% control of the tone were either horribly produced or had extremely ****ty tone.


On the other hand, all the album's I've heard where the amps were reamped and 100% in the hands of the producer come out sounding great.

How are you determining who falls into which crowd?

 

[Voxman]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Go by the metallica dvd "a year and a half in the life of......". It pretty much
shows how a great producer think and works.

 

[GandLMan]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Here's my take . . . . it all boils down to pride . . . you wanna work, lose the pride, you wanna be "weekend" musician who plays the odd gig for the rest of your life . . . have pride and ONLY do what you want and play what you want . . . . . .

People only want to work with people they CAN work with . . .

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

I thought this was Burger King - Have it your way ????


All along I thought this was the BKforum. SD, BK, they all sound alike.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Go by the metallica dvd "a year and a half in the life of......". It pretty much
shows how a great producer think and works.

\
Which album?

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Here's my take . . . . it all boils down to pride . . . you wanna work, lose the pride, you wanna be "weekend" musician who plays the odd gig for the rest of your life . . . have pride and ONLY do what you want and play what you want . . . . . .

People only want to work with people they CAN work with . . .

Pride about what? What does this have to do with recording an amp?

Why do you guys think everybody but the player has an ear for what sounds good? Micing amps is about as simple a task as there is in all of recording. Its not rocket science. Recording drums or pipe organ is hard. Even acoustic guitars can be a challenge but guitar amps? Please... Its unlikely you will have Roger Nichols or Mutt Lange working your session but the good news is that for guitars you don't need them.

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

How are you determining who falls into which crowd?

By good tone or bad tone, or by who reamps and who picks the amp?

By tone, just my ears. If it sits well in the mix, is defined/clear, and does what it's supposed to - then it's good, as far as I'm concerned.

By who reamps and who controls, I tend to research just about every album I listen to for it's recording techniques. It just so happens that all the reamped ones sound amazing, and the artist-picked ones generally sound like ass.



The Metallica DVD covers the Black album... and honestly, I don't see why it's so revered for it's production. The only things I like are the drums to an extent, and the vocals... the guitars are way too thin/quiet, and the drums are toooo ****ing loud.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

By who reamps and who controls, I tend to research just about every album I listen to for it's recording techniques. It just so happens that all the reamped ones sound amazing, and the artist-picked ones generally sound like ass.

Could we have a few dozen links here? If not, I'm calling BS.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

I'm open to criticism and suggestion when I walk in the door. I'll even take the time to try new things and see if they work.

But they DAMNED WELL better have the results to back it up when it comes down to it.

For the record....I'm a weekend warrior. I have little desire to make this job my life. I'm there to record and have fun and put something together that will promote the band I'm in that makes me beer money.

 

[Jeff Dunne]

Re: "Not in my studio!" / "I want this sound."

Could we have a few dozen links here? If not, I'm calling BS.

Links to what? You can call BS all you want, but I can't help but thinking you don't know exactly what you're talking about.


If you want to know what was reamped, let's just go with the Andy Sneap catalog, reamped or producers choice:

Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine and Anthems of Rebellion
Nevermore - This Godless Endeavour and Dead Heart In A Dead World
Trivium - Ascendency
As I Lay Dying - Shadows are Security
36 Crazyfists - Rest Inside The Flames and A Snow Capped Romance
Stampin' Ground - A New Darkness Upon Us
Kreator - Enemy of God
Killswitch Engage - The End Of Heartache


Non Andy Sneap, but still reamped or producers choice:

The new DAATH demo
Bloodpromise (ex-Lilitu)'s upcoming album
Devildriver - Fury of our Makers Hand
Testament - Low and The Gathering

Besides the bands who have a ton of studio experience (3-4 Label albums) or a producer actually in the band (Devin Townsend, James Murphy, etc), the rest end up sounding like ass when done with the bands choice.

Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines. The DSL's sound like ass, and Neil Kernon is a god behind the desk, so it wasn't him.
Textures - Polars and Drawing Circles. Dear god, the JMP-1 sounds horribly thin!
Bloodbath - All the albums. Chainsaw guitars - grosss
Quo Vadis - Day Into Night. Ew.
Between The Buried And Me - Alaska. Gross sounding Recto's, dialed in horribly wrong.
Cradle of Filth - All albums, besides the upcoming one, which Andy Sneap is mixing. No doubt he'll reamp again, and it'll sound awesome I'm betting.