When you hear distortion . . .
- Thread starter Artie
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
I can pick out obvious stuff, like a fuzz pedal, but even then, I couldn't tell you if it was a Line 6/Digitech, a Tweak Fuzz, or an old Fuzz Face. Also, I can pick out really distinctive tones, like a Mesa Dual Rectifier, but I couldn't tell you for certain when it's a POD or a real amp.
I can pick out obvious stuff, like a fuzz pedal, but even then, I couldn't tell you if it was a Line 6/Digitech, a Tweak Fuzz, or an old Fuzz Face. Also, I can pick out really distinctive tones, like a Mesa Dual Rectifier, but I couldn't tell you for certain when it's a POD or a real amp.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
Thanks for being honest JB. I'm not trying to put anyone on the spot. Just wondering if I'm missing something.
Thanks for being honest JB. I'm not trying to put anyone on the spot. Just wondering if I'm missing something.
krankguitarist
Krankitupologist
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
I can usually tell when an entire recording is done direct w/ a POD. But, it gets a little harder to pick out when a few mic'd amps are mixed in there.
I can usually tell when an entire recording is done direct w/ a POD. But, it gets a little harder to pick out when a few mic'd amps are mixed in there.
drpietrzak
New member
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
There is a lot of studio magic that goes into the sound on a CD (any recording). So it is not really very easy to tell what was done. The quest for a live tone that matches a CD is at times a bit of a unatainable thing. The same with what gear is used at times there is so much switching things around going no one for sure.
There is a lot of studio magic that goes into the sound on a CD (any recording). So it is not really very easy to tell what was done. The quest for a live tone that matches a CD is at times a bit of a unatainable thing. The same with what gear is used at times there is so much switching things around going no one for sure.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
I know the first two Black Key albums was done with small low wattage vintage amps, recorded in all sorts of ways !
Some amps was put in a cardboard box, with random amps thrown in, and all sorts of other crazy things.
I know this, only because i try to read everything that i can !
But the new "generic" tyupe of bands, Evenessence, Finger Eleven, and all that - if could easily been done on Ampli Tube or similar comp. based program - sad, i know !!!
I know the first two Black Key albums was done with small low wattage vintage amps, recorded in all sorts of ways !
Some amps was put in a cardboard box, with random amps thrown in, and all sorts of other crazy things.
I know this, only because i try to read everything that i can !
But the new "generic" tyupe of bands, Evenessence, Finger Eleven, and all that - if could easily been done on Ampli Tube or similar comp. based program - sad, i know !!!
hareek
New member
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
Most of my knowledge of what's being used on a recording comes from me having to look it up or ask someone. Sometimes I can tell if its a pedal or an amp for distortion, but most other times I could swear its one thing, and in actuality its the other. Depending on the recording, I do a better a job of distinguishing between guitars, like strat or les paul, and other effects pedals like phaser, flange, crybaby....you know all the easy ones! Here's one thing I never would've known by listening to the song: the first System of a Down album was recorded with a Stratocaster equipped with SD Distortion pickups!
Most of my knowledge of what's being used on a recording comes from me having to look it up or ask someone. Sometimes I can tell if its a pedal or an amp for distortion, but most other times I could swear its one thing, and in actuality its the other. Depending on the recording, I do a better a job of distinguishing between guitars, like strat or les paul, and other effects pedals like phaser, flange, crybaby....you know all the easy ones! Here's one thing I never would've known by listening to the song: the first System of a Down album was recorded with a Stratocaster equipped with SD Distortion pickups!
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
To me, an amp-based distortion sounds crankier, a pedal sounds smoother (sometimes) or fuzzier, and overdriven tubes to me usually sound very loud. It's hard to describe, and by no means am I an expert. I'm decent with it, but right now I'm training my ears once again for this by listening to stuff and then reading what equipment they used for that recording.
To me, an amp-based distortion sounds crankier, a pedal sounds smoother (sometimes) or fuzzier, and overdriven tubes to me usually sound very loud. It's hard to describe, and by no means am I an expert. I'm decent with it, but right now I'm training my ears once again for this by listening to stuff and then reading what equipment they used for that recording.
Axl H
Blowthebloodydoorsoffologist
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
I can sometimes.
Metallica crunch for instance, is a classic Boogie Crunch, smooth, tight and scooped, gainy but still sorta clean.
Marshall crunch is just much more raw and aggressive, you can really hear the aggressiveness in the mids.
Of course todays studio processing does, that you can barely hear the amp.
When I hear a amp on a record, I can typically tell if its cranked or not. Cranked amps just sound different, its more raw and aggressive.
I can sometimes.
Metallica crunch for instance, is a classic Boogie Crunch, smooth, tight and scooped, gainy but still sorta clean.
Marshall crunch is just much more raw and aggressive, you can really hear the aggressiveness in the mids.
Of course todays studio processing does, that you can barely hear the amp.
When I hear a amp on a record, I can typically tell if its cranked or not. Cranked amps just sound different, its more raw and aggressive.
Brewtone
New member
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
On CD I can't honestly tell what is what anymore, with some of the classic older recordings it's easier to pick out the differences. With all the software and studio "magic" available now a days you can mold just about any sound to whatever suits you.
On CD I can't honestly tell what is what anymore, with some of the classic older recordings it's easier to pick out the differences. With all the software and studio "magic" available now a days you can mold just about any sound to whatever suits you.
Bezmotivnik
New member
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
Beyond that, it's often far in excess of what the artist realizes -- up to and including having the track discreetly redone by a studio musician with entirely different gear.
Bingo.
Beyond that, it's often far in excess of what the artist realizes -- up to and including having the track discreetly redone by a studio musician with entirely different gear.
disturb
New member
Re: When you hear distortion . . .
I can hear a Bogner Ubershall in a second. A lot of heavy modern recordings have a track of it in the mix. Like Nickelback. It that bassy, buzzy, tone in the mix. I can tell Marshall, Fender, and Vox, but not specific models. I must admit that modelers are so good today that I can't tell the difference between them and what they're simulating. I use my Johnson J-station for a lot of my recordings for that reason. Easy to use, and sounds good.
I can hear a Bogner Ubershall in a second. A lot of heavy modern recordings have a track of it in the mix. Like Nickelback. It that bassy, buzzy, tone in the mix. I can tell Marshall, Fender, and Vox, but not specific models. I must admit that modelers are so good today that I can't tell the difference between them and what they're simulating. I use my Johnson J-station for a lot of my recordings for that reason. Easy to use, and sounds good.
