Knowledge Wednesday By: DAWsopenat7 No comments

This week's Knowledge Wednesday tip is to ensure your guitars are properly setup for recording.

There are many elements that make up a solid guitar recording, the player, the amp, the speaker, the microphone and the microphone placement but in order to set yourself up for the best start before recording, it is vital that the instrument itself is properly setup.

This includes, new strings, intonation, pick-up height, truss-rod adjustment and even a small oil treatment on the fretboard. All these factors will ensure the best tone from the instrument is directed through the signal chain, not only this but the player will be more comfortable with their instrument and therefore, more likely to produce a better recording.

An extra tip when setting up a guitar for recording is to tape-off or mute the strings that are over the nut or over the bridge. This can be done with a bit of foam or tape and even though it is a little unsightly, it will perform very well and reduce excess string noise during the recording process. 

Check back next week for more Knowledge Wednesday tips!

Head over to www.jwaudioproductions.co.uk for December Deals on mixing rates, currently 50% off if you book your project by the 31st December.

Get your guitars right at source for easier mixing By: DAWsopenat7 No comments

Get your guitars to sound the way you want them to before recording and mixing them will be much easier, it is that simple. 

When it comes to achieving great sounding guitars in a mix, it's very important to spend time with your source. Consider the player, the instrument, the strings and the amplifier before anything else because the reality is that if these things aren't right, no amount of mixing or special plugins will fix it.

You don't have to have an expensive guitar, tube amp or even the best player to get a great source to record however, a well intonated and freshly strung guitar with a carefully dialled tone and a player who can lock in with a click track will get you well on your way. Make sure you have something that is worth capturing.

Some example points to consider at source:

• If recording a distorted tone - lower the gain for more definition, the 'bigness' will come with double tracking

• If you have a player that picks too hard, give them a thinner plectrum to retain the tuning

• If recording through an amp modeler, consider rolling off some low end on the way into your DAW

• Don't record with effects such as reverb or delay, leave them until the mixing stage

• If possible, record with different pickups such as humbuckers and single coils to add variation

• If recording intricate tapping sections, use a fret wrap or tape over the strings that aren't been played to ensure there are no strings ringing out unnecessarily

Focus on achieving the best source you can with what you have and the mixing process will be much easier. Use what you have to the best of your ability and if it isn't working for you, ask yourself what the issues are - Is it the instrument? Is it the tuning? Is it the tone? Is it the amp? Is it the player? Identify the problem first and work from there. 

For any editing, mixing or mastering enquiries, head over to www.jwaudioproductions.co.uk  and get in touch via the contact page.