Thank you Nicky for sharing! When you are young you mystify everything about music/playing and philosophize about feeling, equipment, inspiration, etc... Still, here we see and hear how everything about music is and has been just like any other profession/knowledge you acquire by playing with others (better), listen and find what works for you and for the context you are in.
Squires are a great budget alternative. Instead of the interface, amp and mic needed m, not to mention needing a space to actually record at volume, I can’t recommend the Line 6 HX stomp enough. It can be the interface, amp, effects and be recorded through headphones silently. Theres plenty of guidance on getting it to sound and feel great in a mix. Just my experience
I have recorded hundreds of overdubs on an HX Stomp in hotel rooms when I was still touring. Fantastic option for $600 and had so much flexibility. This video I wanted to keep it more focused on traditional signal flow so they can learn what’s being emulated if they move on to a direct rig at some point. Appreciate you checking the video out!
Good idea! I thankfully just bought some feeler gauges to set the points on my car haha…I do everything by feel but will get some measurements if I do a video on it.
I have the PRS MT15. Less than the HDR20 but it's an awesome amp! I enjoyed this video as I am doing my first album micing my amps instead of amp sims. Last album was all in the box.
Sort of off-topic .... but your straight forward playing in this example highlights the principle of "playing in the pocket" .... honoring the song & the melody and not going over the top. Studio professionals like you understand this so well, because the MIX is the important thing. Finding where a sound fits, honors the song and not the player.
Appreciate that you stuck with the cheap guitar and interface. It would have helped me to hear what was in your backing track before you added the first guitar track. It was a bit difficult to understand how the guitar fit into the track without hearing the track without guitar first. Thanks.
Only discovered your channel last week and I'm loving the content! Big theory nerd here too so seeing different applications is very cool. Particularly the pentatonic video. It's cool to see them used and hinting atthe different modes. It makes it sound more musical and less scalar if that makes sense. Great stuff!
Great stuff, super helpful and great playing! The number one thing i'm getting out of this is: "keep it simple", you can add processing later if needed. I have friends that are into endless tweaking, eq'ing, compressing, and it always comes out sounding overprocessed and muddy. I always have to remind myself that the early Chess and Sun hits were recorded live in a little room with one or two mics, and those records sold millions and inspired thousands or artists.
Exactly! The series of signal flow should follow where it starts and lean its importance where it starts. Hand, String, Pickup, Amp, Speaker, Mic Placement, -12dB into the DAW. From there you have something you can work with rather than try to fix.
Outstanding video. Please keep them coming. I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years and recording for almost 2 years and I still learn so much from you. Cheers!
@@NickyV- I finally broke down and bought a Royer 121 and paired it with a 57 with the special holder so you get the diaphragms lined up. Wow, it was nice. Instant nice tone, and really similar to how I heard the tone in the room.
Very well done video - nice to wake up and see a new vid from Nicky V. I'm a budget guy, so I can relate to a whole bunch of this video. Amazing to hear what can be done with a simple setup. I recently took a road trip drive through Nashville - went to CT, quick trip, then got back to rural NW TN. i waved at you from I-40, 440, but you're probably settled back in farther from that area of Nashville, ha ha.
Thank you have liked your videos very informative and helpful. I thought your term perceived clean tone very apt! If you have time would be good to know about. Getting a good acoustic sound recorded.
Great video. I’ve been hearing that ting sound on my acoustic cell phone recordings and I had no idea what it was. I was thinking buying a different guitar. Painters tape is cheaper than that haha
Would have loved to hear you 2 track this using both mics so we could hear the difference between theSM57 and the Royer 121. Thanks for the cool video.
Great tips! Thank you. How about a video on the logic component or can you recommend an idiot’s guide video to logic recording for us tech challenged. Thank you!
I might have to work up a “recording guitar in logic” video at some point. Basically, open a track, set your gain to -12dB, press R, when you are done, press the space bar. Then google how to export and set your cycle range. Big oversimplification but that’s the fundamental
Great video! I would love to hear your opinion on taming the Fender Twin Reverb tube amp. I have one. I was thinking about using the Two Notes Captor X. Thanks!
I have a twin as well. Getting them to edge of breakup is tough. I’d just put a subtle overdrive in front of it to get it to open up a bit. Or run an attenuator. The captor X I hear is great I have an Ox Box that I love as well for the cleaner stuff.
@@NickyV well THAT is solid info right there even without a video lol. At $120 it seems like a low cost experiment but I was worried about the alleged need for an analogman modded one
@@NickyV do you ever run stereo and if you do, is your GE7 still your fave or would you think about something like the 200 to EQ each side separately (assuming 2 different flavors of amp. As one does 😁) I’m overthinking this.
@@lawinsmalltimore I honestly only go stereo if I'm going direct through my HX Stomp live. In the studio which is where I spend pretty much all of my time, I'm always running mono.
Really helpful! I have everything but an interface so that recommendation is timely! Haven't recorded anything since I was in HS and college using a Tascam 4 track cassette... I'd love a straightforward run down of how to setup a basic track in GarageBand (if you feel comfortable with that, it's what I have at the moment and think it's Logic light mostly?)
Ya man! I think if you hit that link for it in the description it’s $50 off right now…they give me a small cut that way as well. I haven’t messed with GarageBand too much but it’s probably like logic. Just get the signal to it on an audio track, set the gain to -12dB and you should be all set :)
I do! Depending on the speaker and what’s coming through my monitors I’ll angle it and move around until I find what I like. I believe Jerry McPherson actually has a robotic arm where he can remotely control it from his control room…wild stuff.
@@richardkelley7938 The Royer I don't usually angle. Just kind of split the center and edge and put it up there. It seems a little more forgiving. I use the clip that's made for the 121 and 57 together when Im running the blend.
There is one amp in Logic/GarageBand that is fantastic if you run your analog overdrives into it. Might have to work up a video on that. When I was on the road I would use it for hotel room recording.
Jeepers You make this look to easy my friend ,, BUT I Do not use DAW.. any i dears for some one with a Zoom-R8 & Rockwood powered speekers & Hot Rod DeVille .. im in my 60ts thank you
Lots of non-pros will have a modern digital amp like a Catalyst that has an interface built in. Skip the mic and interface and just plug the amp into the computer with a USB cable
Thank you for all the helpful information, Nicky. Do you have the amp in a different room? Is the best solution for not wanting to disrupt the entire house or recording at night with an amp to use an isolation box with some soundproofing? I saw Justin Ostrander keeps his amp in his garage and runs a cable all the way up to his room. Appreciate the feedback.
Amps/heads are in the room with me so I can adjust knobs but I have a speaker cabinet miced up covered in blankets and pillows in the guest bedroom closet. Ran the cables through the wall and into the attic then back down the closet wall to keep it all clean.
Just wanna let you know I heard your name from Tom Buko, and checked out one of your videos the other day. It seems you’re a stand up guy and I dig your style, full time subscriber here now…
Man that absolutely makes my day. Tom is my favorite player in town. Really appreciate you checking the channel out and I’ll do my best to keep the videos coming!
@@NickyVyes please do, I really dig your lay’d back vibe. As a musician myself trying to make it in the game here in Austin Texas, you Justin O, Jedd Hughes, GT, and Tom seem to put me at ease and keep me moving forward with positive vibes…. I appreciate yall’s Time Nicky…
Awesome lesson man and I'm inspired to do a similar video with my music and guitars. I was amazed by how good that sounded after the layering which to my ears sounded like it is dang near radio-ready just with what you did there. I'm a Squier man too 🎸Do you prefer the mic'ed sound over direct-in?
Thanks man, that’s very kind of you. I prefer to use a mic when I can but there are no doubt some fantastic direct sounds out there that are incredibly convenient. I have an HX Stomp that I used when I was on the road as an audio interface with amp sims for hotel room recording. Worked great! But when I would get home and crank an amp into a 57 and Royer I realized the difference after I started stacking and dialing in the mix.
Can you talk about guitar eq in a mix more. I’m trying to learn more about high pass and low pass filtering and what ranges I should boost and cut for a better sound in the mix
Starts at the source…String, Pickup Selection, Amp Setting, Mic Placement. Then minor adjustments on the back end if needed EQ wise. Depends on the song and sonic landscape but typically roll the low end out and put some top end sparkle on it. If you need more cut then bump the mids a bit right before it gets nasally
@NickyV Howdy and thanks, I have an inquiry: Do you have an opinion of a Focusrite Scarlet interface (PC user here) verses the one you've linked on your video, the Solid State Logic SSL2+ USB Audio Interface ?
Nice one NVH! Two questions - 1) On a budget are there amps that have usable gain channels - or is it better to do what you did and put an OD in front of a clean amp? 2) When you record like this are you able to quantize the waveform in Logic without a DI? Or is your timing so good you don’t need to worry about it?
You are too kind man. 1)Yes, I like taking decent amps and pushing them to the edge of breakup and you usually don’t need as much as you think. It’s definitely easier and cheaper to put an overdrive infront of it though. This also helps keep your volume down depending on your space. 2)When I started out tracking I would doctor quite a bit in post. Now I rarely if ever need to move things around on the grid just from spending so much time doing this kind of work. (Nothing in the video was doctored rhythmically…don’t think I’ve ever doctored anything on your tracks that I remember as well)
Overall a lot but sonically not as much. Quality of build, the fretboard on the custom ship is a great chunk of rosewood and feels better under the hand, fretwork is better, nitro finish. So it’s overall a better guitar but is it 17 times better as the price tag would suggest…nah.
Now, please do a video on how you would setup and record Sweet Child O' Mine (not exact copyright stuff...but that type of tone) on a budget...kidding...not kidding
Hahaha cut the low, boost the high end, push the mids right up to where they start to get nasally. Crank a humbucker through a Marshall, put a little verb and delay on it and should be close
What do you think of direct recording? Neighbors, bad room acoustics, and noisy environment, all discourage me from recording a real amp. Also, what if you decide you want to punch something a month from now? Seems like it would be real hard to get consistent tone
You are 100% correct. Direct recording is a great option. I used an HX Stomp as an interface when I was touring for hotel room tracking…worked great. The UA pedals are also fantastic and there are a few stock amp plugins in logic that I’ve used on some releases. The mic placement and all of that for changes later isn’t much of a factor…usually just had hard or harder to find the same amp sim sound because I’m tweaking it all the time. And remembering what overdrive pedals you had on or verbs etc.
I know that the recorded sound (w/ recording gears) will be "different" than the sound in the room. I don't gig, play in a band, never recorded (don't know how)...just plug in and play at home. If I want to get an "idea" of what my rock/blues tones would've sounded like recorded in a studio... Where should I situate my ears in relation to my amp speaker in order to get the "closest" approximation? tyia
The mic is usually capturing what’s right in front of the speaker cone. Typically the room will sound a little bigger than what the mic is picking up simply because it’s filling in so you are hearing your surrounding in stereo. That stereo width on a recording typically will come from doubling or multiple parts panned around. So basically if you position yourself in front of the speaker that’s what a mic going into a recording would sound close to. Not sure if that helps or not.
@@NickyV Omg, yes, very helpful...there might not be a definitive answer to my follow up question...I just want an approximation if possible How far (how many feet) should I (my ears) be away from the amp speaker? I have a ~20w amp, 12" speaker, play with an attentuator...tyia
That was my hotel recording rig when I was still on the road haha. Tried to keep this one geared towards understanding fundamental traditional signal flow…and cheap. HX will come and go…57 will still be around in a hundred years.
On your videos you seem to stack a lot of simple parts to build up the track (and they sound great). Do you ever limit yourself - say just two guitars left and right - and then work the arrangement and parts to make it work? I found that sometimes limitations can drive creativity.
Absolutely! The samples here on the channel are deliberately showing how to leave space for yourself and carve out parts. When I’m getting hired to do something (other than CCM) I’m trying to record as few parts as possible with the most impact.
Tele helps thin it out and putting the bass on the amp on 3. But yes usually it is. I have the mini on my main studio board and run it right before a GE-7 EQ to roll some low end out. On my secondary satellite board I have the gold 30th anniversary with the bass knob and it does the trick.
For sure, I was trying to show people starting out how it’s done outside of modelers and going direct so they can learn the fundamentals of traditional signal flow.
i like your videos thx. You need to enunciate words and NOT speed up/trail off last half of sentence. In person, it might not matter, but it's hard to hear, especially if English is second language or less than perfect hearing. Thx again, it's common sense stuff that internet tends to avoid generally for the extreme or hyperbolic content. Much appreciated
Glad you enjoyed it! I know I talk too fast. Can’t change it unfortunately been doing it for 30 years. Hit that speed button in the settings haha. Appreciate you checking the video out.
I'm always puzzled by "musicians", why do you feel the need to grow your hair long? I'm not judging... just very curious. Is it so you project the image that you're a rebel and you don't conform with "the man". Is it a vanity thing, does it make you feel pretty? Maybe its a credibility thing... if you have long hair, surely you must be an incredible musician...? Just curious... if i buy a strat will I have to grow my hair long??
Ya I wanted to keep it with a real mic to teach people the OG way of going about it with traditional signal flow. Mentioned direct options in the comments. Thinking about doing a direct video at some point as well.
That huge sound comes from a lot of the stacking. The video I posted before this one had some live tips. Basically turn the bass down, boost the top end, use a bit less verb and delay than you think you need.
Think I might do a video on volume and tone knob tricks next week…you guys into that?
@@NickyV yes, that would be great👌
Perfect !
@@dave_d_i_a_lkiller!
Duuhh
Yes, absolutely.
Thank you Nicky for sharing! When you are young you mystify everything about music/playing and philosophize about feeling, equipment, inspiration, etc... Still, here we see and hear how everything about music is and has been just like any other profession/knowledge you acquire by playing with others (better), listen and find what works for you and for the context you are in.
Fantastic advice. Appreciate you commenting and checking the video out!
Squires are a great budget alternative. Instead of the interface, amp and mic needed m, not to mention needing a space to actually record at volume, I can’t recommend the Line 6 HX stomp enough. It can be the interface, amp, effects and be recorded through headphones silently. Theres plenty of guidance on getting it to sound and feel great in a mix. Just my experience
I have recorded hundreds of overdubs on an HX Stomp in hotel rooms when I was still touring. Fantastic option for $600 and had so much flexibility.
This video I wanted to keep it more focused on traditional signal flow so they can learn what’s being emulated if they move on to a direct rig at some point.
Appreciate you checking the video out!
Great video. Goes to show that it's the mechanic and not necessarily the tools.
Very kind of you to say man. Learned that one from my old man watching him work on engines with homemade tools.
This is great Nicky. I would really like to know/see how you chose to set up your guitars. That would be great :-)
Good idea! I thankfully just bought some feeler gauges to set the points on my car haha…I do everything by feel but will get some measurements if I do a video on it.
Hearing "Paul Reed Smith" and "cheapest I have in the house" was not on my bingo card today! heh
Hahaha I know. When I said that I was like “you idiot”
I have the PRS MT15. Less than the HDR20 but it's an awesome amp! I enjoyed this video as I am doing my first album micing my amps instead of amp sims. Last album was all in the box.
Nice man! Hope this stuff helps. Appreciate you checking the channel out
@@NickyV lol, it's not flexing if you're a professional musician
@@abc123iep Need to tell my wife this information haha
Dude super concise and start to finish style mentality....... that’s what us home recording noobs need !!!
Man very kind of you to say. Appreciate you checking the channel out and so glad you enjoy the content
Thank you for this, I found it fascinating a) to see how the layers build and blend, b) understanding "the conundrum". Keep up the great work!
\
Very kind of you man. Thanks for checking the video out!
Sort of off-topic .... but your straight forward playing in this example highlights the principle of "playing in the pocket" .... honoring the song & the melody and not going over the top. Studio professionals like you understand this so well, because the MIX is the important thing. Finding where a sound fits, honors the song and not the player.
This is so kind of you to say man. Appreciate you noticing that subtlety and taking the time to watch the video
Appreciate that you stuck with the cheap guitar and interface.
It would have helped me to hear what was in your backing track before you added the first guitar track. It was a bit difficult to understand how the guitar fit into the track without hearing the track without guitar first.
Thanks.
Aaa gotcha. Logic AI drummer, Me on bass struggling haha, then one mono acoustic panned left and one panned right.
Only discovered your channel last week and I'm loving the content! Big theory nerd here too so seeing different applications is very cool. Particularly the pentatonic video. It's cool to see them used and hinting atthe different modes. It makes it sound more musical and less scalar if that makes sense. Great stuff!
I love hearing that. So glad you are enjoying the content and I’ll do my best to keep the videos coming
terrific - clean - musical
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.
This is great info! Thanks for sharing and making this video!
Glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you checking it out.
Man, Im so glad your channel is blowing up. Crucial info. I love my $200 Bullit!
Thanks man! Appreciate that. I’m with ya, I like cheap guitars and really expensive guitars haha
Solid information as usual. Recording guitar with it's slot in the mix in mind rather than a big, full, self-contained guitar sound is important.
Exactly. Gotta carve that space out!
Great stuff, super helpful and great playing! The number one thing i'm getting out of this is: "keep it simple", you can add processing later if needed. I have friends that are into endless tweaking, eq'ing, compressing, and it always comes out sounding overprocessed and muddy. I always have to remind myself that the early Chess and Sun hits were recorded live in a little room with one or two mics, and those records sold millions and inspired thousands or artists.
Exactly! The series of signal flow should follow where it starts and lean its importance where it starts. Hand, String, Pickup, Amp, Speaker, Mic Placement, -12dB into the DAW. From there you have something you can work with rather than try to fix.
I love the acoustic sound on this! Everything blends so well.
Thanks Lenny! Appreciate it and thank you for checking the video out
so spot on!!
Thanks for checking the video out man
Great video. 🎸🎤👍
Thanks! Appreciate you checking it out!
Yep do it! Thank you.
Will do!
Great video Nicky✌️ I play keys, but I got a lot of valuable tips out of this video😎 I appreciate your great content and dedication.
Man thank you for the kind words! So glad it was helpful and that some of the concepts translate to your world.
Great video!! Thanks👍
So glad you enjoyed it!
Outstanding video. Please keep them coming. I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years and recording for almost 2 years and I still learn so much from you. Cheers!
I love hearing that. So glad it’s helpful!
Great stuff
Awesome! Appreciate you checking the video out
Love this video!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!
Great info and I hope a ton of ppl heed this information. And the video before this one is also a great video with very valuable info.
Thank you!!! Appreciate you checking them out.
Great Video Nicky! SM57 is Golden I still use one to this day as well as good ole trusty TU-3
Nice! I do the Nashville thing and pair it with the 121 quite a bit.
@@NickyV- I finally broke down and bought a Royer 121 and paired it with a 57 with the special holder so you get the diaphragms lined up. Wow, it was nice. Instant nice tone, and really similar to how I heard the tone in the room.
@@richardkelley7938 Thats fantastic! The golden combo.
You’re a great resource Nicky! Thanks for sharing
Very kind of you to say! I’m just trying to tell people the stuff that took me too long to figure out haha
Very well done video - nice to wake up and see a new vid from Nicky V. I'm a budget guy, so I can relate to a whole bunch of this video. Amazing to hear what can be done with a simple setup. I recently took a road trip drive through Nashville - went to CT, quick trip, then got back to rural NW TN. i waved at you from I-40, 440, but you're probably settled back in farther from that area of Nashville, ha ha.
Right on man! I felt the wave, I’m on the northwest side of town. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Great lesson.
Much appreciated man!
Thank you have liked your videos very informative and helpful. I thought your term perceived clean tone very apt! If you have time would be good to know about. Getting a good acoustic sound recorded.
I definitely need to work a video up on the acoustic side of things
Wonderful video bud, thank you!
You got it man! Thanks for taking the time to check it out
The track reminded me a little of Hey Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms.
I’ll have to check that out!
Great video. I’ve been hearing that ting sound on my acoustic cell phone recordings and I had no idea what it was. I was thinking buying a different guitar. Painters tape is cheaper than that haha
Hahaha. It’s wild how much of a difference it makes. Thank you for checking the video out!
@@NickyV I have an amazing instructor but I checked out your page , have a great day. Maybe I’ll schedule one after awhile.
Fantastic man, would love to help out if the stars align. Regardless, thank you for spending a bit of time on the channel.
Love this tip. Now I'll listen for it.
@@richardkelley7938 Ya man, you can strum a chord hard and immediately mute it..then if you hear a ring it's coming from behind the nut.
Would have loved to hear you 2 track this using both mics so we could hear the difference between theSM57 and the Royer 121. Thanks for the cool video.
Might have to work one of those videos at some point
Great tips! Thank you. How about a video on the logic component or can you recommend an idiot’s guide video to logic recording for us tech challenged. Thank you!
I might have to work up a “recording guitar in logic” video at some point.
Basically, open a track, set your gain to -12dB, press R, when you are done, press the space bar. Then google how to export and set your cycle range.
Big oversimplification but that’s the fundamental
Great video! I would love to hear your opinion on taming the Fender Twin Reverb tube amp. I have one. I was thinking about using the Two Notes Captor X. Thanks!
I have a twin as well. Getting them to edge of breakup is tough. I’d just put a subtle overdrive in front of it to get it to open up a bit. Or run an attenuator.
The captor X I hear is great
I have an Ox Box that I love as well for the cleaner stuff.
@ Thanks!
would love a pedal EQ tutorial, trying to decide if I really need one. Graphic vs Para would be a bonus
Ya I might need to work one up. The GE-7 for me is the money. The new ones are quiet as well and don’t need modded
@@NickyV well THAT is solid info right there even without a video lol. At $120 it seems like a low cost experiment but I was worried about the alleged need for an analogman modded one
@@lawinsmalltimore I bought mine expecting to have it modded by Xact Tone...plugged it in...dead silent and worked well any way I needed it.
@@NickyV do you ever run stereo and if you do, is your GE7 still your fave or would you think about something like the 200 to EQ each side separately (assuming 2 different flavors of amp. As one does 😁)
I’m overthinking this.
@@lawinsmalltimore I honestly only go stereo if I'm going direct through my HX Stomp live. In the studio which is where I spend pretty much all of my time, I'm always running mono.
Really helpful! I have everything but an interface so that recommendation is timely! Haven't recorded anything since I was in HS and college using a Tascam 4 track cassette... I'd love a straightforward run down of how to setup a basic track in GarageBand (if you feel comfortable with that, it's what I have at the moment and think it's Logic light mostly?)
Ya man! I think if you hit that link for it in the description it’s $50 off right now…they give me a small cut that way as well.
I haven’t messed with GarageBand too much but it’s probably like logic.
Just get the signal to it on an audio track, set the gain to -12dB and you should be all set :)
Great video. Do you ever angle the 57 relative to the amp as well as moving it between the center and edge of the cone to adjust tone?
I do! Depending on the speaker and what’s coming through my monitors I’ll angle it and move around until I find what I like. I believe Jerry McPherson actually has a robotic arm where he can remotely control it from his control room…wild stuff.
Do you angle when you use a Royer 121, or the Royer and 57 together?
@@richardkelley7938 The Royer I don't usually angle. Just kind of split the center and edge and put it up there. It seems a little more forgiving. I use the clip that's made for the 121 and 57 together when Im running the blend.
This is awesome! Can you please A/B this setup vs the amps in GarageBand?
There is one amp in Logic/GarageBand that is fantastic if you run your analog overdrives into it. Might have to work up a video on that. When I was on the road I would use it for hotel room recording.
Jeepers You make this look to easy my friend ,, BUT I Do not use DAW.. any i dears for some one with a Zoom-R8 & Rockwood powered speekers & Hot Rod DeVille .. im in my 60ts thank you
Man I really don’t have any experience with a zoom recorder so I’d hate to talk about something I don’t know.
Lots of non-pros will have a modern digital amp like a Catalyst that has an interface built in.
Skip the mic and interface and just plug the amp into the computer with a USB cable
That’s the hotel recording rig haha.
Thinking about doing a video on basic direct recording at some point.
Thank you for all the helpful information, Nicky. Do you have the amp in a different room? Is the best solution for not wanting to disrupt the entire house or recording at night with an amp to use an isolation box with some soundproofing? I saw Justin Ostrander keeps his amp in his garage and runs a cable all the way up to his room. Appreciate the feedback.
Amps/heads are in the room with me so I can adjust knobs but I have a speaker cabinet miced up covered in blankets and pillows in the guest bedroom closet. Ran the cables through the wall and into the attic then back down the closet wall to keep it all clean.
Just wanna let you know I heard your name from Tom Buko, and checked out one of your videos the other day. It seems you’re a stand up guy and I dig your style, full time subscriber here now…
Man that absolutely makes my day. Tom is my favorite player in town. Really appreciate you checking the channel out and I’ll do my best to keep the videos coming!
@@NickyVyes please do, I really dig your lay’d back vibe. As a musician myself trying to make it in the game here in Austin Texas, you Justin O, Jedd Hughes, GT, and Tom seem to put me at ease and keep me moving forward with positive vibes…. I appreciate yall’s Time Nicky…
@@dave_d_i_a_l Love hearing that man...you remember off the top of your head which video of Toms it was?
@@NickyV I don’t exactly lol, but I know he’s mentioned your name a few times…
@@dave_d_i_a_lYou have great taste in guitar players!!! All the guys you mentioned are at the very top of my list!!! Cheers!
how about acoustic guitars, mic placements, mic types, etc, thanks
Definitely need to work one of those videos up! Might do a stereo approach and a mono approach
Awesome lesson man and I'm inspired to do a similar video with my music and guitars. I was amazed by how good that sounded after the layering which to my ears sounded like it is dang near radio-ready just with what you did there. I'm a Squier man too 🎸Do you prefer the mic'ed sound over direct-in?
Thanks man, that’s very kind of you. I prefer to use a mic when I can but there are no doubt some fantastic direct sounds out there that are incredibly convenient. I have an HX Stomp that I used when I was on the road as an audio interface with amp sims for hotel room recording. Worked great! But when I would get home and crank an amp into a 57 and Royer I realized the difference after I started stacking and dialing in the mix.
Can you talk about guitar eq in a mix more. I’m trying to learn more about high pass and low pass filtering and what ranges I should boost and cut for a better sound in the mix
Starts at the source…String, Pickup Selection, Amp Setting, Mic Placement. Then minor adjustments on the back end if needed EQ wise. Depends on the song and sonic landscape but typically roll the low end out and put some top end sparkle on it. If you need more cut then bump the mids a bit right before it gets nasally
@NickyV Howdy and thanks, I have an inquiry: Do you have an opinion of a Focusrite Scarlet interface (PC user here) verses the one you've linked on your video, the Solid State Logic SSL2+ USB Audio Interface ?
I haven’t messed with a scarlet but I know they work fine for a lot of people
Nice one NVH! Two questions - 1) On a budget are there amps that have usable gain channels - or is it better to do what you did and put an OD in front of a clean amp? 2) When you record like this are you able to quantize the waveform in Logic without a DI? Or is your timing so good you don’t need to worry about it?
You are too kind man.
1)Yes, I like taking decent amps and pushing them to the edge of breakup and you usually don’t need as much as you think. It’s definitely easier and cheaper to put an overdrive infront of it though. This also helps keep your volume down depending on your space.
2)When I started out tracking I would doctor quite a bit in post. Now I rarely if ever need to move things around on the grid just from spending so much time doing this kind of work. (Nothing in the video was doctored rhythmically…don’t think I’ve ever doctored anything on your tracks that I remember as well)
You are able to scoot the audio around when tracking like this. You don’t need the DI usually
What is the difference between your Tele and your custom shop?
Overall a lot but sonically not as much. Quality of build, the fretboard on the custom ship is a great chunk of rosewood and feels better under the hand, fretwork is better, nitro finish. So it’s overall a better guitar but is it 17 times better as the price tag would suggest…nah.
Now, please do a video on how you would setup and record Sweet Child O' Mine (not exact copyright stuff...but that type of tone) on a budget...kidding...not kidding
Hahaha cut the low, boost the high end, push the mids right up to where they start to get nasally. Crank a humbucker through a Marshall, put a little verb and delay on it and should be close
What do you think of direct recording? Neighbors, bad room acoustics, and noisy environment, all discourage me from recording a real amp. Also, what if you decide you want to punch something a month from now? Seems like it would be real hard to get consistent tone
You are 100% correct. Direct recording is a great option. I used an HX Stomp as an interface when I was touring for hotel room tracking…worked great. The UA pedals are also fantastic and there are a few stock amp plugins in logic that I’ve used on some releases.
The mic placement and all of that for changes later isn’t much of a factor…usually just had hard or harder to find the same amp sim sound because I’m tweaking it all the time. And remembering what overdrive pedals you had on or verbs etc.
Dear Nicky beats
I bought a Gretchen Nashville my old Washburn sounds better do I have advice about gretsch
I honestly don’t have much experience with Gretch. I know they have a special thing they do but are a bit finicky.
😢
Gapanimake studio
I know that the recorded sound (w/ recording gears) will be "different" than the sound in the room. I don't gig, play in a band, never recorded (don't know how)...just plug in and play at home. If I want to get an "idea" of what my rock/blues tones would've sounded like recorded in a studio...
Where should I situate my ears in relation to my amp speaker in order to get the "closest" approximation? tyia
The mic is usually capturing what’s right in front of the speaker cone. Typically the room will sound a little bigger than what the mic is picking up simply because it’s filling in so you are hearing your surrounding in stereo. That stereo width on a recording typically will come from doubling or multiple parts panned around. So basically if you position yourself in front of the speaker that’s what a mic going into a recording would sound close to. Not sure if that helps or not.
@@NickyV Omg, yes, very helpful...there might not be a definitive answer to my follow up question...I just want an approximation if possible
How far (how many feet) should I (my ears) be away from the amp speaker? I have a ~20w amp, 12" speaker, play with an attentuator...tyia
@@abc123iepthe closer you are to the cone would be what a mic would be picking up. Might be hard on the ears though…even with the attenuator.
What hair product do you use?
Bar of Lye soap.
@@NickyVwill have to give that a shot.
@@HerhinesnessI’ll put it in the affiliate link
Get a used HX Stomp and call it a day. 😎
That was my hotel recording rig when I was still on the road haha. Tried to keep this one geared towards understanding fundamental traditional signal flow…and cheap. HX will come and go…57 will still be around in a hundred years.
can the 57 mic be used for high gain metalcore type stuff? or is there a better option for that genre specifically?
A 57 is perfect for that style. A lot of the time it’s paired with the Royer 121.
@@NickyV thank you very much!!
On your videos you seem to stack a lot of simple parts to build up the track (and they sound great). Do you ever limit yourself - say just two guitars left and right - and then work the arrangement and parts to make it work? I found that sometimes limitations can drive creativity.
Absolutely! The samples here on the channel are deliberately showing how to leave space for yourself and carve out parts. When I’m getting hired to do something (other than CCM) I’m trying to record as few parts as possible with the most impact.
I don't get it, how is the odr mini not overly bassy and boomy for you? I always have to use a version with a bass cut
Tele helps thin it out and putting the bass on the amp on 3.
But yes usually it is. I have the mini on my main studio board and run it right before a GE-7 EQ to roll some low end out. On my secondary satellite board I have the gold 30th anniversary with the bass knob and it does the trick.
Didn’t use the eq pedal on this video though
you don't need an amp, you can plug direct into the interface and save a lot of money
For sure, I was trying to show people starting out how it’s done outside of modelers and going direct so they can learn the fundamentals of traditional signal flow.
i like your videos thx. You need to enunciate words and NOT speed up/trail off last half of sentence. In person, it might not matter, but it's hard to hear, especially if English is second language or less than perfect hearing. Thx again, it's common sense stuff that internet tends to avoid generally for the extreme or hyperbolic content. Much appreciated
Glad you enjoyed it! I know I talk too fast. Can’t change it unfortunately been doing it for 30 years. Hit that speed button in the settings haha.
Appreciate you checking the video out.
unless youre as good as Joe Pass, gear is never the answer. thanks for sharing.
Amen to that
Squiers are a great value; especially the Classic Vibe Series.
Couldn’t agree more.
White Linda Thomas Michelle Martinez Michael
Am I the only person on the planet that doesn’t like the Nobels ODR?
You are not alone but it does seem to be pretty universally enjoyed.
I'm always puzzled by "musicians", why do you feel the need to grow your hair long? I'm not judging... just very curious. Is it so you project the image that you're a rebel and you don't conform with "the man". Is it a vanity thing, does it make you feel pretty? Maybe its a credibility thing... if you have long hair, surely you must be an incredible musician...?
Just curious... if i buy a strat will I have to grow my hair long??
Helps us hunt down tasty licks like a Navajo tracker.
Maybe they just like it.
@jerrymckenzie1858 why?
That does not produce good demos - I think!
Nah, put very similar setups on hundreds of demos for happy producers and writers.
It can even cheaper if you chance to toneX pedal. Guitar - ToneX - computer. Done
The fenders sounds really reeeally good there
Ya I wanted to keep it with a real mic to teach people the OG way of going about it with traditional signal flow.
Mentioned direct options in the comments. Thinking about doing a direct video at some point as well.
@@NickyV man, please make some videos about playing live! the final record sound huge! i want that sound live in my church😍😍
That huge sound comes from a lot of the stacking. The video I posted before this one had some live tips. Basically turn the bass down, boost the top end, use a bit less verb and delay than you think you need.
@@NickyV Awesome!