On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

[aleclee]

A recent post on The Gear Page got me thinking about the whole business of nailing so-and-so's tone. Les is a guy who's done a lot of recording in his time. He's made his living writing and recording music for commercials and has a "side job" producing records. In short, he knows that of which he speaks:

I've said this before, but do not forget that any recordings had a signal path starting with microphones, preamps, consoles, effects, compression, EQ, analog tape artifacts, etc.

What goes in one end isn't necessarily what comes out the other end of the recording chain.

Prove this to yourself: put a mic in front of any amp and record it. Any mic, any recording chain, any amp. Then play back the recording.

Now go play the amp. They will not sound identical.

Now fuss with the recorded sound of the guitar with EQ and compression to cut through the mix. Play the track back soloed, and go play the amp.

Different, huh?

Anyone chasing the EXACT sound of a recording is on a futile mission.

To be honest, I don't entirely agree with his last statement. I think it is possible but I definitely agree that you can't expect to duplicate a recorded tone by cloning the rig used to record it.

Further, I question whether it's even desireable in the context of playing in a band. Given the effect that EQ and compression have on timbre and transients, I think you lose a lot of ability to cut through in a live setting. IMO that, more than Fletcher-Munson, is why settings dialed in down in the basement often don't translate to a live band environment.

Just a thought...

 

[sosomething]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

While I see the original poster's point that it's impossible to duplicate someone's tone on record simply by copying their rig, I don't know if I'd call it's pursuit "futile." I agree with your statement towards the end of your post - I think it's possible, but you'd have to make adjustments to your rig to compensate for those pieces of the signal chain used in recording.

As far as your last statement, I'd say it depends on the tone you're trying to nail. The famous EVH tone from the early records is one that would likely translate very well in a live environment due to it's very present mids and clarity, but James Hetfield's tone on any of the first 5 metallica records would just disappear next to a drummer and bass player.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

I do agree with his last statement, but for other reasons. I hear people say things like "I want so and so's tone, on this album, it sounds like a wall of guitars comming at you!"


Well, with how many times the guy probably overdubbed, guess what? :laugh2:

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

Well, you definitely hear differences in vocals.

Singing with a mic over a PA sounds completely different than singing along in the car.

I would imagine all things being the same, you can duplicate the original, but it's probably tougher than you would think.

But who wants to sound EXACTLY like someone else, unless you're in a tribute band????

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

I don't think you can duplicate guitar sounds easily, but you can at least get close, so as long as you're not obsessed with getting it EXACTLY the same, I don't think it's a 'futile' pursuit. Heck, even the same band will sound different from gig to gig...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

We play some covers in my band, and nailing some of the tones is very, very hard in a live context. I just usually go for something with a similar flavor and play the part.

Like Aleclee said, there are just too many variables in a recorded tone.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

I find it easier to replicate a particular sound in the studio than "live". In the studio you can tweak the signal with EQ's, compressors, different mic's etc.

It would be harder to replicate different sounds in a live setting, even though you got the exact same gear as the original artist. There are lots of differences in amps, speakers and cables within the same make and model.

But it is good fun to try!!

 

[usagi]

Re: On trying to nail recorded guitar sounds

I think it's not unusual for a person to find their own sound or style trying to copy someone else. I've read interviews with everyone from Carlos Santana to Dime Bag syaing that the reason they picked up the guitar to emulate their guitar hero. I agree in the end it's probably impossible it perfectly emulate someone else's sound. It is impossible because you are not that person. However, I don't think it's futile because you are going to learn somethings about yourself along the way.