Question about getting a good slap tone...

[daren_woodall]

I've never been an equipment connoisseur and I don't really know how to craft a desired tone or how to employ pedals and such. Now that I'm using Amplitube as my recording solution I have much "virtual" equipment available, enough that someone like me could burn months experimenting, but probably settle on nothing.

That said, I'm trying to get a good "slap" sound. What effects (delays, chorus, filters,etc), EQ, and other advice could you offer that will give me a start at dialing in a good recording slap tone. BTW, I'm playing a Cirrus 5 and my technique is pretty good.

Perhaps too general of a question, but maybe a good start to a discuss.

Thanks in advance. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Daren

[mellobud]

Compression...On my jazz, I compress the lower freq and leave the highs alone...then I blend both equally. So, try compressing the lows/mids some and tweak from there for a 70s slap tone.

[daren_woodall]

Originally Posted by mellobud

...I compress the lower freq and leave the highs alone...then I blend both equally. So, try compressing the lows/mids some and tweak from there for a 70s slap tone.

This is my inexperience talking, but do compressors offer the ability to compress frequency ranges? Do you mind elaborating on this abit?

Thanks, Daren

[mellobud]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_level_compression
that spells most of it out

the rest of slap is technique.

[daren_woodall]

Originally Posted by mellobud

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_level_compression
that spells most of it out

Ah, yes. That's what is meant by "dynamic range compression". I was a little slow on the up-take there.

I think I wasn't aware of this because my recording setup doesn't have a dynamic range compressor as a default plug-in and Amplitube 2's compressors effects are not dynamic. But, you did get me think a little out of the box. I'm wondering if I couldn't setup up a multi-amp rig to accomplish a similar result. The outcome might be surprising.

Originally Posted by mellobud

the rest of slap is technique.

I hear ya on this. Technique is where most of the tone comes from. I feel generally solid here, I just want to give it the extra polish for recording purposes.

Thanks again.

[mellobud]

No prob.

[Son of Bovril]

for a good straight forward slap tone, leave effects out of it, except for a bit of compression which will tighten things up quite nicely, but don't over compress or you'll lose the dynamics and too much of the low end. you can try eq'ing a little mid scoop in somewhere to suit your taste, but make sure you don't lose yourself in the mix by doing this...