20 replies to this topic

[XxMangoxX]

Okay so a while back I tried recording some distortion on some cheap microphone I head just to put a demo together for my band myspace and it turned out all abrasive and harsh.

Does anyone know how I can fix that.

I've thought maybe I could move the mic farther away from the amp and turn it up so some of the harshness won't go directly into the microphone, or maybe if I put some of that black fuzz stuff that comes on headphones around the microphone to help.

Any suggestions.

I don't have enough money for the proper microphone that I want from Musician's Friend so I'm making due.

[Mustang-Pete]

on some cheap microphone

This is probably part of your problem. Try get a nice condenser mic, that'll help some I'm sure.

But as you're saying you can't afford one. Fair enough. I'd try moving the mic back a bit, see if this helps, and refrain from turning it up untill you've tried it on the original level.

[tragictravisty]

define harsh, is it trebley? try turning down amp treble so it sounds muddy, and record that.

[XxMangoxX]

define harsh, is it trebley? try turning down amp treble so it sounds muddy, and record that.

No, more like static-EE, but I am using a DS-1 distortion pedal, so that could be part of my problem.

[tragictravisty]

so the higher frequencies are your problem? that kind of break up problably wouldnt sound toooo bad if it were focussed in the lower midrange. try rolling down the tone on your guitar/amp/pedal.

[Stevie K]

You could get a used sm 57 cheap on ebay and that would probably solve most of your problem.

[purr]

You could get a used sm 57 cheap on ebay and that would probably solve most of your problem.

True dat. Not the worlds greatest, but they are OK. Durable too.

[XxMangoxX]

so the higher frequencies are your problem? that kind of break up problably wouldnt sound toooo bad if it were focussed in the lower midrange. try rolling down the tone on your guitar/amp/pedal.

When I tried recording the first time the distorted chords didn't sound like chords at all during the playback. Just static and noise...no distinct sound at all.

Now when I play with my DS-1 on, I have to turn the gain all the way down, which gives the chords more clarity, but I have less sustain.

[purr]

Dont record at such a high volume, or try a more distance mic technique

[Another Tool]

Record it as loud as you can without the sound issues, then adjust the volume on a mixer or mixing software.

[Another Tool]

Sorry, didn't read the whole post.
If it's way too "in your face" and harsh like the beginning of "Territorial Pissings", either you need to move the mic away, get a better recording mic, both, or it's to do with whatever you're recording onto.

What is the microphone being connected to?

[XxMangoxX]

Sorry, didn't read the whole post.
If it's way too "in your face" and harsh like the beginning of "Territorial Pissings", either you need to move the mic away, get a better recording mic, both, or it's to do with whatever you're recording onto.

What is the microphone being connected to?

straight into my computer via microphone jack.
And this microphone was really cheap...it's dead now, so I'm saving up for a USB Condenser microphone from Musician's Friend.

http://pro-audio.mus...hone?sku=271009

[surfhenk]

in my experience less distortion sounds better when recording. I always tend to use a lot more overdrive when playing live

[Stevie K]

on some cheap microphone

This is probably part of your problem. Try get a nice condenser mic, that'll help some I'm sure.

But as you're saying you can't afford one. Fair enough. I'd try moving the mic back a bit, see if this helps, and refrain from turning it up untill you've tried it on the original level.

This is not really good, most condensor mics are extremely sensitive and you will damage or break the capacitor if you place them in front of an extremely loud instrument like a distorted guitar amp or kick drum. That's why I suggest the SM57 or any other middle-of-the-road dynamic microphone. These can handle the high volumes of your amp without the risk of being damaged, and are affordable to replace if you do some how damage one.

In general condensors are used for middle volume acoustic instruments like a voice or acoustic guitar, not for high output instruments like guitar or drums.

It's probably how you have the amp's tone circuit set, adjust the tone so that it sounds a little muddier then you would normally set the amp, try to get the tone you want at as soft a volume as possible. And if you can use two mics, place one directly on the amps speaker cone at a slight angle, set the other a few feet back from the amp. Record both mics on two seperate tracks, play your whole guitar part through, then eq each track seperately after they've been recorded so that they sound less harsh.

Now if possible set the amp up for a slightly warmer tone with a little less dirt and record the exact same guitar part again. Now you should have 4 rhythm guitar tracks, pan them at different points in the stereo spectrum, usually the most distorted tracks about midway out to the right and left, and the cleaner tracks further out, or you can mix them up in different combinations. Just experiment.

Also, try adding a little reverb and running the guitar track(s) through a low-pass and hi-pass filter so that you can set a cut off for any unwanted hi or low frequencies.

What did you use to record, software or tape? If you used software then the above should be pretty easy to accomplish and you'll get a much fuller and better guitar sound.

[Stevie K]

straight into my computer via microphone jack.
And this microphone was really cheap...it's dead now, so I'm saving up for a USB Condenser microphone from Musician's Friend.

http://pro-audio.mus...hone?sku=271009

Again you don't want to record a distorted guitar amp with a condensor, read my post above.

For some good basic information on home recording there's a book called Modern Recording Techniques, and also Recording for Dummies is actually a great reference.

[tragictravisty]

stevie's right. a dynamic is best for loud amps.

[kid w/ a Jstang]

This is a really good direct to USB mic as well: http://pro-audio.mus...hone?sku=279015 . I don't think it has the fancy case, but the money not spent on the accessories went into the capsule... Really cool mic, but I wouldn't put it through a high SPL workout for fear of blowing it out...

[Earth]

When recording a distorted guitar you need to turn down the distortion level till the recording matches the live distortion level. If you use a distortion on full distort then record it like that it will be even more distorted more often than not.

[foxyloxy]

right oh, this is what you need to do,
buy Shure SM57
buy a behringer mixing desk
(both of these are really cheap)
point the SM57 towards you amp no less that one inch from the grill cloth, point towards the middle of the speaker cone. set levels, and bingo you will have an (almost) world class guitar sound....

[feedbackismyfriend]

right oh, this is what you need to do,
buy Shure SM57
buy a behringer mixing desk
(both of these are really cheap)
point the SM57 towards you amp no less that one inch from the grill cloth, point towards the middle of the speaker cone. set levels, and bingo you will have an (almost) world class guitar sound....

Beautiful illustration Foxy. I might just have to print that out, frame it, and then display it in my room.