This video is all about big guitars production techniques. The trick I show you is a trick I learned from Mr. Dave Jerden and his old engineer, Mr. Bryan Carlstrom.
This is a trick that they would do to build a big guitar sound. All you need is 1 amp, a guitar, a bass, and a wah pedal. Not only will you find this trick fun, but it will also give you a big meaty guitar sound!
We’re going to look at a simple 4 chord sequence- all we’ve got is a bass line and some drums – we’re going to build some heavy rhythms to go overtop of it.
Firstly, I’m going to record the rhythms. Pan 1 left, record a new one and pan that one right.
Second, I’m going to stay with the same amp, but I’ve added a wah pedal. Oh, and I’m also using a bass instead of the guitar. I haven’t moved the mics or adjusted the amp in any way. It’s exactly the same as it was with the guitar!
Basically, what we’re going to do is play the same part on the D string. It’s on the D-string because it emulates a baritone guitar. Staying on one strings really keeps in on one EQ point! One solid piece of midrange to reinforce it!
What the wah does, is it narrows the frequency boost so I can make is super mid-rangy.
On its own it’s super ugly but in the mix it makes the guitars big and fat! I haven’t changed the amp or the miking. It’s all exactly the same thing. I pan one to the left, and one to the right, just like with the guitars.
Voila! – That’s it! That’s the whole trick!
For those of you who want to know about big rock guitars, and how to make them sound massive, get these two courses here:
• Mixing Metal with Ulrich Wild & Warren Huart
• Mixing Modern Rock with Bob Marlette
If you have any tricks you have for heavy guitars or unique guitar sounds, please let me know in the comments!
