What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
- Thread starter TVFV
- Start date
Jacew
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
Uninspiring... (to me)
Well, to be more precise, I've always connected it to that polished overdriven/distortion/high gain tone that you hear on 90 % on modern albums, and often live as well. Distorted tone with balanced eq (somewhat heavy on bass), reined in harmonics and sleek compression.
There's many people here, who could probably give you better answer, but thats how I've understood it.
Uninspiring... (to me)
Well, to be more precise, I've always connected it to that polished overdriven/distortion/high gain tone that you hear on 90 % on modern albums, and often live as well. Distorted tone with balanced eq (somewhat heavy on bass), reined in harmonics and sleek compression.
There's many people here, who could probably give you better answer, but thats how I've understood it.
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
Generally, it means I am about to mash the buttons on the radio to change the station.
No, I do the same for most 'vintage' sounding things, too. I think 'vintage' or 'modern' are overused marketing-speak. I just tune them out.
Generally, it means I am about to mash the buttons on the radio to change the station.
No, I do the same for most 'vintage' sounding things, too. I think 'vintage' or 'modern' are overused marketing-speak. I just tune them out.
darthphineas
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
I think "modern" depends on the age of the listener.
Some might think of 80s as modern. Some might think of djent as modern. If you're as old as Pepe, you think The Beatles are modern. lol!!
I think "modern" depends on the age of the listener.
Some might think of 80s as modern. Some might think of djent as modern. If you're as old as Pepe, you think The Beatles are modern. lol!!
Diego
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
To me, a "modern" sound has a quick attack, extended lows, very sculpted midrange and a crisp, defined high-end to the sound.
I identify a "vintage" sound with a spongier attack with more bloom, comparatively subdued bass, wider mids and warmer highs.
To me, a "modern" sound has a quick attack, extended lows, very sculpted midrange and a crisp, defined high-end to the sound.
I identify a "vintage" sound with a spongier attack with more bloom, comparatively subdued bass, wider mids and warmer highs.
MkIII Renegade
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
Tight bottom end, smooth but intense highs, lots of compression, hi-fi sound. Can be nice for certain things, like playing downtuned through a modern amp with mega saturation, but I don't need THAT much gain or fizz, thanks.
To me, modern is defined by the mid-late '80s when metal guitarists were really reaching for the brass ring, so to speak. The pickups, amps, effects, etc, that worked then still work beautifully now. The amount of gain being produced and the playing speeds had never been reached before, so guitars became like fighter jets. The ultimate modern pickup to me is still the EMG humbucker. They seemed very exotic when I was a kid, although the foundational models (81, 85) are unchanged since the '80s! It wasn't easy to find an affordable guitar back then that came with EMGs back then. But now, even cheapo guitars can have them.
It's interesting to think about how Megadeth has been state-of-the-art metal since Rust In Peace especially (ok, Mustaine had more than a few years of confusion before coming back around recently). Their recorded sound today is a bit more modern, but they essentially the same style of riffing and soloing as in the late '80s. Likewise for King Diamond's guitarists, who have had their tech-goth metal sound perfected since the mid '80s. Both of these bands have 30 year old styles, so not exactly "modern" by strict definitions, eh? Still a lot more modern than grunge ever was....
Tight bottom end, smooth but intense highs, lots of compression, hi-fi sound. Can be nice for certain things, like playing downtuned through a modern amp with mega saturation, but I don't need THAT much gain or fizz, thanks.
To me, modern is defined by the mid-late '80s when metal guitarists were really reaching for the brass ring, so to speak. The pickups, amps, effects, etc, that worked then still work beautifully now. The amount of gain being produced and the playing speeds had never been reached before, so guitars became like fighter jets. The ultimate modern pickup to me is still the EMG humbucker. They seemed very exotic when I was a kid, although the foundational models (81, 85) are unchanged since the '80s! It wasn't easy to find an affordable guitar back then that came with EMGs back then. But now, even cheapo guitars can have them.
It's interesting to think about how Megadeth has been state-of-the-art metal since Rust In Peace especially (ok, Mustaine had more than a few years of confusion before coming back around recently). Their recorded sound today is a bit more modern, but they essentially the same style of riffing and soloing as in the late '80s. Likewise for King Diamond's guitarists, who have had their tech-goth metal sound perfected since the mid '80s. Both of these bands have 30 year old styles, so not exactly "modern" by strict definitions, eh? Still a lot more modern than grunge ever was....
Last edited:
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
For me it means a crisp hi-fi quality to the highs more than anything.
The lows can be huge and deep or high and tight, as long as there's a defined attack to the mids, highs, or lows.
One mistake people make sometimes is to select all their rig-components for a specific quality like being "modern", then wonder why it ends up harsh, brittle, sterile ect..
.
For me it means a crisp hi-fi quality to the highs more than anything.
The lows can be huge and deep or high and tight, as long as there's a defined attack to the mids, highs, or lows.
One mistake people make sometimes is to select all their rig-components for a specific quality like being "modern", then wonder why it ends up harsh, brittle, sterile ect..
.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
It doesn't mean anything, because as soon as someone says it, they have to follow up with a description of what they meant.
It doesn't mean anything, because as soon as someone says it, they have to follow up with a description of what they meant.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
Refers to how guitar sounded previous to the post-modern period.
Refers to how guitar sounded previous to the post-modern period.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
"Modern" these days = A particular 6505 tone I really dislike. You hear it with every metalcore/"prog"/djent or whatever the **** band out there these days. Over-compressed & flattened out (no grain or character to the distortion..just a multi-layered wall)/over-smooth/cliched/unimaginative/derivative/utterly unoriginal are some ways to describe it. That usually goes for the bands/music/musicians as well.. :rant:
"Modern" these days = A particular 6505 tone I really dislike. You hear it with every metalcore/"prog"/djent or whatever the **** band out there these days. Over-compressed & flattened out (no grain or character to the distortion..just a multi-layered wall)/over-smooth/cliched/unimaginative/derivative/utterly unoriginal are some ways to describe it. That usually goes for the bands/music/musicians as well.. :rant:
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
To me, modern sounding from a high-gain perspective means things like Meshugga, Periphery, bearded boys who keep asking if something djents or not, or basically an otherwise dead as doornails guitar tone. To me it's just plain uninspiring. Modern to me is anything from Korn's self-titled onwards. There may be good songs here and there but the guitar is definitely a back seat instrument. That's where I think a lot of today's guitar tone comes from.
I still like inspiring and clear high gain tones. To me, the bands who do this well today are Insomnium, Amon Amarth (despite being B tuned), Steel Panther and - even though I don't like them - five finger death punch seem to have a bit of personality to their guitar work.
Vintage to me could be anything from Dokken back to Elvis.
Yep, Dokken and Elvis in the same sentence. You saw it - you can't un-see it!
To me, modern sounding from a high-gain perspective means things like Meshugga, Periphery, bearded boys who keep asking if something djents or not, or basically an otherwise dead as doornails guitar tone. To me it's just plain uninspiring. Modern to me is anything from Korn's self-titled onwards. There may be good songs here and there but the guitar is definitely a back seat instrument. That's where I think a lot of today's guitar tone comes from.
I still like inspiring and clear high gain tones. To me, the bands who do this well today are Insomnium, Amon Amarth (despite being B tuned), Steel Panther and - even though I don't like them - five finger death punch seem to have a bit of personality to their guitar work.
Vintage to me could be anything from Dokken back to Elvis.
Yep, Dokken and Elvis in the same sentence. You saw it - you can't un-see it!
EDX
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
lol amon amarath really has grind and character in their tone, they can tune lower than hell and they will still sound clear and grunting
what i despise is the castrated tone originated from kids that cant prog nor play proper death metal, so they created this whole genres of brakdown spamming and then they try hard to put their tag to real prog, brutal and prog death bands, that's modern, and i want to see it bur by the thunderous burning death rain of the nuclear sword of damocles
lol amon amarath really has grind and character in their tone, they can tune lower than hell and they will still sound clear and grunting
what i despise is the castrated tone originated from kids that cant prog nor play proper death metal, so they created this whole genres of brakdown spamming and then they try hard to put their tag to real prog, brutal and prog death bands, that's modern, and i want to see it bur by the thunderous burning death rain of the nuclear sword of damocles
Teleplayer
Active member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
I think it generally means the clean tone is dry and crisp (IOW - uninteresting). However it means you can use a LOT of gain without losing definition.
Its also a relative word, so it depends what your reference point is. Eg. Compared to a P90, probably everything sounds modern.
I think it generally means the clean tone is dry and crisp (IOW - uninteresting). However it means you can use a LOT of gain without losing definition.
Its also a relative word, so it depends what your reference point is. Eg. Compared to a P90, probably everything sounds modern.
Last edited:
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
'Insipid' would be the word that generally springs to mind.
(along with 'generic' and 'corporatised').
'Insipid' would be the word that generally springs to mind.
(along with 'generic' and 'corporatised').
Last edited:
darthphineas
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
at least until Wild Mick croaks on the crapper with a peanut butter and nanna sammich just out of reach.
at least until Wild Mick croaks on the crapper with a peanut butter and nanna sammich just out of reach.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
For me, "modern sounding" is a pickup that is designed to work with extreme high gain, in high gain genres. Yes you can push an Antiquity, Seth or Pearly Gates for vintage distortion tones, but for metal you need a pickup that can handle that higher gain.
Hard to describe, but I sense it better when I hear it.
Bill
For me, "modern sounding" is a pickup that is designed to work with extreme high gain, in high gain genres. Yes you can push an Antiquity, Seth or Pearly Gates for vintage distortion tones, but for metal you need a pickup that can handle that higher gain.
Hard to describe, but I sense it better when I hear it.
Bill
TimmyPage
New member
Re: What does "Modern Sounding" mean?
The old fogie-ism in this thread is evident. I can certainly hear a difference between the two types of sounds, though there's lots of crossover given how many modern artists go for a 'vintage' sound.
Vintage guitars (and the music which used them) had much different tonal objectives than modern music, neck humbuckers were warm, muddy and wooly, distorted tones were a touch fuzzy, whether that was the effect of an actual fuzz, the recording techniques used or vintage amps being pushed to their limits. It was a time when recording techniques were still constantly being developed and as a result the guitar tones on every album sounded wildly different from the last.
Modern guitar tones are much more 'clean', they are much brighter, much more string clarity and an EQ curve designed to cut through dense modern mixes. Modern strats sound like a mix between a piano and church bells, the modern neck humbucker is smooth and has a touch of glassiness to keep it clear under gain. Modern bridge humbuckers tend to be more compressed, tend to have a little more push to them so they don't sound as anemic as vintage styled humbuckers can and so they can drive amps and pedals a little better. The compression also helps touch up their clean tone and make it much more musical than vintage styled pickups.
Think of it as the difference between a PRS Custom 22 (modern) and a Les Paul (vintage). The Custom 22 is a beautiful instrument with a slightly longer scale length to give a richer low end and clearer highs, it has a beautiful chimey clean sound and the fundamental character of the instrument stays clear when you put gain on it. The Les Paul is a log of wood that pickup manufacturers have struggled to not let it sound like a dark, woofy muddy piece of garbage for 50 years and only sounds good when you cake on enough gain to make up for it's lack of character or clarity. We have plenty of instruments which have fixed the issues of the Les Paul but will never be as popular because they don't have 50 years of star power behind them. Similarly, modern pickups have 'fixed' all the issues of vintage style pickups but the guitar playing crowd is extremely unfriendly to change.
The old fogie-ism in this thread is evident. I can certainly hear a difference between the two types of sounds, though there's lots of crossover given how many modern artists go for a 'vintage' sound.
Vintage guitars (and the music which used them) had much different tonal objectives than modern music, neck humbuckers were warm, muddy and wooly, distorted tones were a touch fuzzy, whether that was the effect of an actual fuzz, the recording techniques used or vintage amps being pushed to their limits. It was a time when recording techniques were still constantly being developed and as a result the guitar tones on every album sounded wildly different from the last.
Modern guitar tones are much more 'clean', they are much brighter, much more string clarity and an EQ curve designed to cut through dense modern mixes. Modern strats sound like a mix between a piano and church bells, the modern neck humbucker is smooth and has a touch of glassiness to keep it clear under gain. Modern bridge humbuckers tend to be more compressed, tend to have a little more push to them so they don't sound as anemic as vintage styled humbuckers can and so they can drive amps and pedals a little better. The compression also helps touch up their clean tone and make it much more musical than vintage styled pickups.
Think of it as the difference between a PRS Custom 22 (modern) and a Les Paul (vintage). The Custom 22 is a beautiful instrument with a slightly longer scale length to give a richer low end and clearer highs, it has a beautiful chimey clean sound and the fundamental character of the instrument stays clear when you put gain on it. The Les Paul is a log of wood that pickup manufacturers have struggled to not let it sound like a dark, woofy muddy piece of garbage for 50 years and only sounds good when you cake on enough gain to make up for it's lack of character or clarity. We have plenty of instruments which have fixed the issues of the Les Paul but will never be as popular because they don't have 50 years of star power behind them. Similarly, modern pickups have 'fixed' all the issues of vintage style pickups but the guitar playing crowd is extremely unfriendly to change.
Last edited:
Similar threads
