What’s new at Zystrix? Read on…
June 12, 2023
There are lots of events
coming up, so before I go
into the final installment of
Recording Metal Guitar and a new piano tune by Dangerous
Neighbors I’d like to mention…
Flag Day
June 14 is the celebration of Flag Day in the
United States. Although it is not a national
holiday it is celebrated and considered a legal
holiday by various states. The holiday is the
commemoration of
the adoption of the
flag design back in 1777 by the Second
Continental Congress. The early original
design had a circle of 13 stars which
represented each of the thirteen states. The
modern flag has 50 stars representing all 50
states. Three Oaks, Michigan (one of my my
old stomping grounds) has an annual three-day Flag Day weekend
event which includes a parade. They say they have the largest and
the oldest Flag Day parade in the nation. Who am I to argue?
Happy
Father’s Day
Father's Day honors fatherhood and the
influence of fathers in the world. In most
countries it is observed on the third Sunday of
June although it is observed at other various
dates according to the traditions of the area.
Paternal bonds are universal. Thanks, dad.
Happy Father’s day.
Happy
Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in
the USA and was enacted in 2021
by President Joe Biden signing it
into law. It is an anniversary
observance of the emancipation of
the enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865 General Order
No. 3 was issued by Major General Gordon Granger proclaiming
freedom for slaves in Galveston, Texas. Although President
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation freeing all slaves in the
Confederacy on January 1, 1863,
enforcement of the proclamation generally
relied upon the advance of Union troops
into those states. President Lincoln’s
Emancipation Proclamation did not free all
slaves in the Union states, and they were
freed with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the
Constitution, on December 6, 1865. The final slaves to be freed
were held by the Choctaw and were released in 1866. Although slow
in coming, emancipation spread across the United States eventually
freeing all.
Summer
The season of year associated with the warmest
weather of the year is upon us here in the
northern hemisphere. June 21st is the first day of
summer for us. Schools
are taking a break and
some families are taking a
vacation. Thunderstorms
are typically associated
with the warmer weather
along with hail, tornadoes, and strong winds. Some of the older folks
around here say they remember storms so bad back in the day that it
was raining grand pianos. And some of the younger folks around
here re-tell their stories.
Dangerous Neighbors
There’s a new piano piece available from Dangerous Neighbors if
you like that sort of thing -- Weary Evening. It’s a little over 2
minutes long. You can hear Weary Evening by clicking here, or
when you get a chance simply visit the Dangerous Neighbors page --
the tune is located near the top of that page.
And Now on With the Show…
How to Record Killer Metal
and Rock Guitar…
The Ultimate Guide
(Part Ten -- The Final Chapter)
THE FINE PRINT: Zystrix is not and has never been a participant in any advertising program including
but not limited to the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Sweetwater, Reverb, or any other
affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees from
readers by click-through advertising and linking to the aforementioned or any other companies. Zystrix
does not use Google Analytics, therefore this site is not required to have those annoying cookie
agreement popups. Zystrix has no links associated with the sale of any products, and we do not allow
this. This keeps our reviews honest, cuts out any unnecessary middle man, and keeps this website
free from cookies and the influences of Google and other unethical purveyors of your digital exhaust
and personal information. Open source. It’s our mantra.
The Story Continues…
This Zystrix posting is the tenth and final installment of a several part
series designed to help a person record guitar, specifically metal and
rock guitar, no matter your skill level. And the main crux is how to do
an excellent job on a low budget. Please know that there are many
types of gear that are glossed over or omitted here because there’s
just too much great gear to list.
Last time in part nine we covered recording a single metal guitar using
free plugins. The Satan’s Amp of Doom recipe was used once again
for the twelve recorded examples. For a refresher overview or how to
build Satan’s Amp of Doom click on the arrow pointing left by the
wrist watch at the top of this page. To see all nine previous postings
just keep clicking on the arrow pointing left. Clicking on the yellow
megaphone always brings you back to the newest page.
This time I’d like to end this entire series with some tricks for recording
metal guitar -- the final essentials. It was nice to have you along for
the last nine installments. So pour a long cool refreshment, kick back
in your favorite chair, fasten your seat-belt and ride shotgun on this
final installment. How sweet it is…
Recording Metal Guitar
Studio Tricks
Modern guitar amp and cabinet emulations (the present year is 2023)
have come a long way. The realism can be stunning. But the problem
I have is the lack of sonic soul. The signal has been captured but not
the variations of a real event. A great metal guitar sound is LOUD.
And it sounds loud. It’s just not possible to do it any other way.
There’s nothing like the sound of a roaring amplifier recorded with all
the warts, bruises and blemishes. And this has to translate to the
recorded sound. And your pedal or software emulation should imply
this volume. And what do guitars do when they’re loud? They distort,
vibrate clothing and items nearby, and they feedback (not to mention
cause permanent hearing loss). That’s just the nature of it. So let’s try
to get this impression (without the hearing loss) into your recordings.
I tend to disagree with the common belief that amplifiers should be
turned down for a better metal tone. To me an amp that’s turned down
sounds like an amp that’s turned down. I’ve never been to a concert
like that (well, not ROCK anyway). If you’re gonna rock-n-roll you want
that damn thing rippin’ loud, over-driven as hell, and ready to seriously
go. So how do we do that in a recording situation? Here’s a few tips
and tricks that you may enjoy; this final section will concentrate on
studio effects and other stuff that makes an amp sound big and real.
Metal Guitar Tip #1.
Find or sculpt your favorite over-driven guitar pedal sound. Your pedal
board is your sonic personality; it’s the part of your personal sound
that’s difficult for someone to emulate. NOTE: There are some really
great sounding inexpensive pedals – the market is flooded with them --
and for a refresher on pedals read April 3 or click back to March 20.
Split the signal at the guitar and record the unadulterated guitar pickup
and the pedal sound (you’ll need at least a stereo input audio interface
to do this). Now run both signals through two different rockin’ DAW
plug-in amp emulator sounds and blend the sounds. The original over-
the-top over-driven pedal sound can be cool by itself but the extra amp
blended in helps with definition and complexity. This is a plus if you
prefer super driven amp tones. Take frequent listening breaks to find
the ultimate guitar tone and let your ears be your guide. I’ve gone over
this before, but always blend complimentary guitar sounds for the
ultimate sound. And as I’ve said so mant times during this whole metal
guitar series, I tend to disagree with the common belief that amplifiers
should be turned down for a better metal tone. That’s just crazy talk.
Turn it up and play it loud and proud.
Metal Guitar Tip #2.
Try blending in a free Poulin 456 (Engl), Hy-Brit (Marshall 800), or the
Legion (Bogner) with your favorite over-the-top rippin’ live amp tone.
The new free version of the Emissary by Ignite Amps is great. Don’t
forget to use an IR cabinet emulator like the NadIR. Some other cool
sounds to blend in are the free Heptode Deep Crunch pedal or the
Heavy Tone pedal through the NadIR. The JCM800 Hot Pre-amp
through the Ignite NadIR is also very cool. Or try the JCM800 Hot Pre-
amp through the Hy-Brit connected to the NadIR for a super cool and
big Marshall sound. Try using the free PEDALz by Analog Obsession
through your favorite amp head emulation for some cool classic
distortions. The Marshall Guv’nor (Gunner setting) is my favorite.
Another excellent thing is to run this through the Ignite Amps TPA-1
tube power amp for even more heft. Also, try it through the BPB
Saturator for a cool combination of tape and tube warmth. Don’t forget
to try running your guitar sound through the free PTEq-X by Ignite
Amps or the Rare by Analog Obsession. Set the big knobs to 6-6-6.
Put the free Kolin by Analog Obsession at the end of the amp chain for
some beautiful limiting fatness. Or put the free Merica by Analog
Obsession in the guitar chain for excellent final EQ adjustment. Try
running your signal into the free PreBOX by Analog Obsession for
some really cool vintage pre-amp tones. All of these ideas give even
more pleasant rage to any over-the-top rippin’ guitar sound you
choose. And they are all free. And if you are the type of person who
likes to record two guitars played together don’t forget to try the free
Double Tracker by VTar Amps or use the Track Shifting method
explained May 27th in the Record Once and Sound Twice.
Metal Guitar Tip #3.
Put rattling metal on the guitar cabinet (a snare drum, dog chain, etc)
for sympathetic vibrations that emulate large volumes and record this.
Angle or tilt the cabinet so they rattle and vibrate easier. Use
compression to bring it forward as needed.
Metal Guitar Tip #4.
Don’t ever scoop the mids from your guitar tone or the guitar will get
lost in the mix. Let the bass player and the drums carry the low end
backbone of the mix. Listen to the guitar sounds in the Back in Black
album by AC/DC. The guitars have bass frequencies but just enough
to make them sound natural, not flabby.
Metal Guitar Tip #5.
Don’t wait to get a great guitar sound; isolate your guitar and make it
sound as good as possible by itself. If your guitar doesn’t sound good
by itself it certainly won’t sound good in the mix. Then add this guitar
sound to the band and tweak it to fit in with the band. Give every
instrument its own EQ space. Use an analyzer to figure out where too
many frequencies are clouding the mix. This method slowly seats the
overall mix into a cohesive whole that’s greater than the sum of the
parts.
Metal Guitar Tip #6.
Use a side gate compressor to pull the guitar back slightly for a fraction
of a second when the snare drum hits. This will give the guitar and the
snare better use of the mid-range frequencies.
Metal Guitar Tip #7.
Run the computer emulated guitar sound into a loud clean amplifier
and cabinet. Put the cabinet facing the corner of the room with the
corners of the cab almost touching the walls. Turn up the guitar low
end so the cabinet resonates and record this resonance with a
condenser microphone. Blend this vibration signal with the emulated
signal for a louder impression.
Metal Guitar Tip #8.
This will give the illusion of adding more cabs. Run the emulated
guitar sound from the computer into a clean amp and 4x12 guitar
cabinet. Use an electric screwdriver and take the handle off the
speaker cabinet, put a microphone inside the cabinet, and record the
inside cab sound. Compress this signal and blend it slightly into the
emulated signal. Use a phase meter (if needed) to strengthen the
combined signals or simply blend them to mono.
Metal Guitar Tip #9.
Put a 4x12 cabinet on its back and run the pre-recorded guitar solo
through it. Dangle a microphone over the cabinet and swing it in a
clock-wise circle motion with about half of the circle not over the
cabinet. Try not to let the microphone hit the cabinet. Record and
save this solo. Now run the same solo through the cabinet and use
the same circular movement as before but counter clock-wise and with
a slightly different cadence. Record and save this solo. Now pan the
microphone-recorded signals hard left and right and the guitar solo will
fly in an interesting pattern from ear to ear. This trick can also be
pseudo emulated and improved by using two doppler effects on
different settings with both stereo effects placed in the center. You’ll
have to duplicate the guitar solo track to do it. The free Doppler Dome
by Aegean Effects is excellent for this spaced-out effect.
Metal Guitar Tip #10.
Use 60 cycle hum and amp hiss in the background to give the illusion
of a loud amp. Plug the guitar into an amp using a long speaker cable
for crackle and radio interference and record it. It’s a definite flashback
to a cool 1967 live stage vibe.
Metal Guitar Tip #11.
Use feedback of various types to emulate a loud amp. Put a 4x12
cabinet face down. Now play your emulated amp sound through it,
and lay a microphone on the back of the cab. Run this through a
compressor and EQ. Record the woofiness of the cabinet. Slowly
blend this into the original sound until you hit the sweet spot. This is a
cool way to get that fire-breathing sympathetic-rattle cabinet sound
that’s not possible with a pedal or software amplifier. Or try this. Play
back the recorded guitar through the 4x12 cabinet on it’s face, lay the
guitar on the back of the cabinet using the guitar as a microphone and
record this. It makes for some great howling feedback and
sympathetic vibrations. Do the same thing with the amp upright and
the guitar leaning on the cabinet with the pickups toward the speakers
and record this. The guitar will rattle and feedback in higher tones.
Blend this recorded signal in with your emulated amplifier sound. Now
that sounds LOUD. Here’s another one. Put a small speaker (like a
battery powered micro amp) near where the guitarist is playing or tape
it onto the guitar itself (head stock or body both work) and let it
introduce sympathetic vibrations for the howl and squeal of feed back
and record this. Depending on how the tones are set on the little amp
it can have an old E-Bow type of infinite sustain. This method also
works great for that Hendrix/Yardbirds type of sound at a lower volume
(you won’t disturb the neighbors at all), or turn up the little amp for an
extreme out-of-control guitar sound.
Metal Guitar Tip #12.
Play the guitar cabinet loud. Put a condenser microphone at about ear
level using your ear to judge the approximate distance from the cabinet
for the sound you are seeking. You can also do this with multiple
microphones. Now run a line off the amp head through a cab simulator
box (or straight off the guitar into an emulator) to the DAW for mixing to
give the guitar cabinet some definition and depth for a giant thick
sound.
Recording Metal Guitar
Hinder-most Desinence
You’ve come to the end of the complete series. Is there ever really a
conclusion or an end when it comes to music and related? Not that
I’ve ever seen. Cool music has been going on for hundreds of years,
and every concert ends with the unspoken promise of another. And for
us, we’ve covered all kinds of free or low-cost things related to
recording metal guitar: speakers, computers, audio interfaces, DAWs,
headphones, plug-ins, IR cabinet emulators, reverb, pedals, recording
techniques with audio examples, tips, tricks, and so on. It’s been a
long ride, but I feel we’re all better for it. We’ve arrived, it’s time to get
out of the car. And it’s been fun…
Don’t touch that dial…
Stay tuned next time…
I don’t really have any ideas for the next topic. Nothing exciting has
come to mind anyway. All things in time. If you have a topic you’d like
to hear about just let me know -- I’m a wellspring of musical answers
and experience. In the interim I think I’ll water the flowers. The poor
things are a little droopy and dry. Maybe I’ll see you next time.
I was wondering why his guitar kept getting
bigger and bigger, and then it hit me.
Knowledge, art, and
music for all…
Zystrix = a source, shaman, or library disseminating secret or lost knowledge, art, or music.
ZYSTRIX
POPULAR FREE DOWNLOADS
Introducing
the
next
generation
in
guitar
cabinet
impulse
responses.
Try
the
new
Djammincabs
Maxxx
4x12.
All
of
these
cab
IR
files
are
based
on
old,
new,
and
boutique
4x12
cab
curves.
All
are
recorded
in
beautiful
24-bit
48K
mono
and
will
work
on
most
free
and
paid
digital
convolvers.
Hear
the
guitar
IR
breathe
fire
with
pure
attitude.
Don’t
be
suckered
in
with
high-dollar
sales
pitches,
there
ain’t
no
guitar
IR
downloads
better
than
these.
Choose
from
many
cab
sound
recording
styles:
cone,
edge,
angled,
arm
away,
inside
cab,
back
of
cab,
or
back
of
room.
Djammincabs
is
the
world
leader
in
guitar
cab
IR
invention
--
no
other
guitar
IR
company
can
imitate
these.
Djammincabs
Maxxx
4x12
makes
it
easier
for
you
to
design
your
own
personalized
sound
--
even
your
own
Metal
IR
pack.
If
you
can’t
find
a
cabinet
or
combination
you
like
here,
then
you
don’t
like
4x12
cabinets.
This
guitar
IR
download
also
includes
a
Tactical
Munitions
Manual
with
suggested
uses
and
detailed
cab
combinations.
This
is
the
best
free
guitar
impulse
download available anywhere.
Djammincabs Maxxx 4x12
“Murder Your Competition.”
I feel brave. I want to try them now. Here’s my email...
Djammincabs for Guitar
Download Free Guitar Impulse Responses
Click here to download
over 200 Free Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses.
Djammincabs for Bass Guitar
Download Free Bass Impulse Responses
Click here to download
over 200 Free Bass Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses.
Best Free Guitar Impulses.
The Top 11 Best Free
Guitar and Bass
Cabinet Impulse Responses for 2022
(in alphabetical order…)
Find, download, and test the best
free guitar cabinet impulse responses for 2022.
FREE BASS LOOPS SAMPLES DOWNLOAD
ROYALTY FREE BASS LOOP SAMPLES
FREE BASS LOOPS
Over 200 samples are included in the collection
Download the complete collection of 24-bit bass loops here.
NOTE: This download size is approximately 369 Megs.
Free Pendulate Synthesizer Presets
Original Newfangled Audio Pendulate
synth patches/presets
Click here to download over 240
Free Pendulate Synth Presets (patches)
Synapse Audio
Dune Synthesizer
Download Over 200 Free
Synapse Audio
Dune 2 and Dune 3
Synthesizer Patches and Presets
Click here to download over 200 FREE Synapse Audio
Dune 2 or Dune 3 synthesizer patches or presets.
NOTE: This synth patch download is slightly over 1 Meg in size.
Free Reverb Impulse Responses
Choose from hundreds available in
48K 24 bit WAV format
including new original reverbs.
CabSpace
Over 400 Guitar Isolation Booth Reverbs
Download over 400 Free Zystrix Original Reverb Impulse Responses,
and over 200 Free Zystrix Original BONUS Reverb Impulse Responses.
Download all the Alesis MIDIVerb 4 reverb impulse responses.
Download all the Lexicon MPX-1 reverb impulse responses.
Download all the Alesis Wedge reverb impulse responses.
Download over 50 Reverb Relics from the past.
Click here to download free reverb impulse responses.
Free Drum Samples
Only Available from Zystrix
Free Gong Samples and Sounds
Free Snare Drum Samples and Sounds
Free Bass Drum Samples and Sounds
Free Oriental Cymbal Samples and Sounds
Free Oriental Bells Samples and Sounds
The Ultimate Original Drum Sounds List
Download over 2000 original slammin’ rock bass drums.
Download original Gongs, Cymbals, Broken Cymbals, and Bells.
Download Over 200 Free Original Bass Drum Sounds and Samples.
Download over 200 Original Free snare drum sounds.
Click here to download Drum Kit Sounds.
Dangerous Neighbors
The SW Michigan Power Trio.
Free Rockin’ Music Downloads
The
music
for
the
next
book
will
be
out
in
2023.
Production
is
a
little
behind
but
there’s
a
sneak
peek
demo
of
how
it’s
supposed
to
go
for
the
first
tune
on
the
album.
This
tune
is
called
Sting
of
Death
and
it’s
the
backing
music
for
the
first
chapter.
Click here to download recent Dangerous Neighbors.
Download
tunes
from
the
80s
to
today.
Use
the
special
codes
on
the
Embalmed
for
Life
page
(see
the
DOWNLOAD
FREE
AUDIO
BOOKS
link
below)
and
get
free downloads for the complete album and the free horror audio book
The Fluid - Embalmed for Life.
Click here to download various music from Dangerous Neighbors.
Download Free Synth Samples for
Intros, Interludes, and Endings
Listen to example #01 by clicking here (MP3 Sample)
Download FREE professional quality stereo sample packs that slowly
evolve over time. All samples are in 48K 24 bit WAV format and are
about 20 seconds long or more. If you like suspense, psycho, outer
space, or terror then this collection is for you. These range from
paranoia to sci-fi, cinematic gore to strange industrial horror, and creepy
creatures to insane laboratories.
Click here to download all the synth Intros, Interludes, and Endings.
DOWNLOAD FREE
AUDIO BOOKS
The Fluid, Embalmed for Life
There are Free Audio Book codes for Audible downloads (must sign up).
There are also free sample downloads of the book reading.
There are free downloads of music samples.
There is a free “Look Inside” download of the paperback.
There is a free glossary of the largest list of mortuary slang in the world.
The Free Dangerous Neighbors Album The Fluid, Embalmed for Life comes
included as part of the audio book and parts are available here as a free
download.
The paperback book is available for sale at Amazon dot com. I have no control
over these sales; because of the Amazon agreement I cannot offer complete
paperback or complete audio books here. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.
Click here for free audio books,
book reading samples, music samples, etc.
NEW RULES NOTICE -- What Zystrix does with your download information…
Take me back to the top of the page.
