Is this a strange way to record a guitar?

[slap-a-da-bass]

I got a call from a guitar player that wants to lay down some guitar work for a drummer. I set up the session for tommorow, the 15th. Today I called to verify the session and we talked about gear, and here's the problem.

I was expecting to recored his guitar my usual way, using a SM57 on the speaker, and I have a condenser on a 2nd track to blend in for the room. So I asked about gear, expecting he was bringing his marshall, and pedals. He is expecting to record the guitar direct, no effects or distortion, and he wants me to add this post recording. 1st, I don't know how to do that, as this is just a hobby for me & I'm doing him a favor, and 2nd, all the songs are original and wouldn't know where to put the effects, or what kind of distortion would be wanted.

Again these are just rough tracks to send to a drummer.

What do you think?

 

[fruity2x]

Yeah I do this from time to time, some times I just run them through my PreSonis BlueTube Pre and drive the hell out of it. You can search for free plug ins if you don't have what you need and add the FX after the fact or you can look for a cab/head emulator to get it done.

What program are you using I might be able to point ya in the right direction on how to do it. Have you never added FX onto a recording yet?

 

[slap-a-da-bass]

I'm fairly new to computer based recording, and I've been using Cubase 4 LE, as I've said it's just a hobby. I have used effects, such as verb, delay, but for vocals & drums, but it's what has been included in CB. I've used it through the inserts, which I believe effects the whole track.

 

[uhdinator]

you would need a guitar amp plug in unless you wanted a clean sound,

inserts in the track just like a delay or verb would.

 

[M0ses]

So he's not paying you, you're a hobbyist, and he wants you to do MAJOR post-recording production??? What's he on?

 

[slap-a-da-bass]

So where can I get the guitar amp plug in? The player typically uses a JMC2000 for distortion, and a Fender clean sound, along with a boss chorus. How do you apply the plug in to part of a recording?

 

[slap-a-da-bass]

no cash on this deal. I just thought it would be a simple record what he plays, simple processing, mixdown to file, etc.

 

[fruity2x]

same deal as what you have been doing. been a while since I have worked with Cubase but just do a Google search for "free VTS plug ins" and you should be able to come up with what ya need. this should get ya going....

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If I remember right you just drop the program into a VTS folder in Cubase. You also might want to start going to Homerecording.com and recordingreview.com (love this one!!!) and read, read, read....I spent well over a year reading before I got my first interface and another year reading before I bought my currant one. After that its all tinkering and practice and playing around

 

[uhdinator]

Link Removed
http://www.simulanalog.org/guitarsuite.htm
http://www.best-free-vst.com/plugins/effects/guitar-amp-tube-amplifier-01.html
http://freemusicsoftware.org/category/free-vst-effects-2/amp-simulators

 

[gumtown]

if the guitarist wants to go down that path,i suggest you get him around to do the guitar production himself on your computer. Get him to bring a large pot of coffee and tell him to turn off the lights and shut the door when he's finished.

 

[fruity2x]

good links uhdinator esp. the www.best-free-vst.com/plugins...lifier-01.html quick and easy there...think I had that book marked at one point but lost it in a reinstall (wont be having that too much longer....Mac...heheheh) and come on guys, its not that hard and its good practice AND its a lot easier to learn when ya got someone to record.

 

[sonic assassin]

amp simulation. logic has it built in. i use it for all the demo work i do. so much easier.

 

[bluestarbass]

Look into re-amping. I'd just tell him there's only one way to record. I've not had great results with free plugins. Get amplitube or something like that, or talk him into buying you a re-amp box.

 

[plangentmusic]

These days, 95% of the time, it makes sense to record direct.

That being said, it makes NO SENSE to record dry, UNLESS it's just a clean rhythm part. Then yeah, you can add reverb and such later. If you don't know how to do that, you should't be doing the recording . It's pretty basic.

If the guitarist has specific sections where he changes overdrive (solos and such) and doesn't care if he hears that while recording, then...well...it sounds like he doesn't really care.

 

[slap-a-da-bass]

I know how to use the verb, eq's, & some of the other effects.

I don't know that I should be the one to pick out his amp model/tone/distortion. While I was playing guitar, I must have went throught 10 distortions, until I found the one that I really liked. Considering these are his original songs, you would think he would want his sound recorded.

 

[NKBassman]

If they're just rough tracks to send over to the drummer, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Get Guitar Rig or Amplitube and find a decent tone that works and just go for it.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

you would need a guitar amp plug in unless you wanted a clean sound,

inserts in the track just like a delay or verb would.

+1

 

[MakiSupaStar]

I know how to use the verb, eq's, & some of the other effects.

I don't know that I should be the one to pick out his amp model/tone/distortion. While I was playing guitar, I must have went throught 10 distortions, until I found the one that I really liked. Considering these are his original songs, you would think he would want his sound recorded.

I do that all the time with some of my guitarist buddies that I record with. They're mostly my songs, but I've found that guitards aren't as obsessed with tone as bass players. Usually when I record a guitarist, I'll do what you do. I'll record the rig with a mic (sm57), then I'll take a line out from his amp, and sometimes if I'm really motivated I'll record a line from his DI. Sometimes I chuck the mic tracks and just remix the DI line with an amp emulator. Or I'll even put an amp emulator in the mix to create nice thick distortion. Point is, you've got a lot to play with and if he's willing to put it in your hands, go nuts with it and have fun. How often to you get to make the guitarist sound EXACTLY like you want him too?

 

[slap-a-da-bass]

The session was pushed back till this afternoon, but that gave me time to figure out the amp sim plugin's. It was really easy, and they sound pretty good. I'm all set, the guitarist will be here in about an hour.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

The session was pushed back till this afternoon, but that gave me time to figure out the amp sim plugin's. It was really easy, and they sound pretty good. I'm all set, the guitarist will be here in about an hour.