This is a nice video that shows you how to fatten up your guitar tracks in Pro Tools. This was produced by Berklee Music. They show you whow to double tracks and add layers of compression in Pro Tools.

Everyone has there own way of recording distorted electric guitar. Some are better than others. Distortion is something I always struggle with...other than drums. There's always some trial and error involved. You have to consider, mics, mic placement, amp, guitar, pickups, player, room, and any other gear your using. Lots of factors to worry about.  read more »

The other day I was down in my studio, trying to lay down a solo for one of my songs. Every time I listened back it sounds out of tune and dead.

I changed my strings. Matter of fact I changed the strings on ALL of my guitars. It made a huge difference in the tone. The recording snapped and it sounded really great. I, of course, stretched the strings for a bit first.

It's amazing how a new set of strings breathes new life into your instrument. Change them often.

09-26-06

Some of my best tracks have just been built around just jammin' in the studio. I like to spend my free time trying to create new stuff. Most of the time I just plug in and hit record. If I like something, I'll keep it...but most of it gets scrapped.

But once in a while, just maybe...you might come up with something good. Something you can build on, layer tracks around or add percussion, etc. Try and be loose and open minded while playing. Sometimes it's a good idea to listen back a few hours later. You'd be surprised how things sound later on.  read more »

Lots of people think that they need a brand new Mac G5 and Pro Tools and expensive mics to make decent recordings. While all of these things would be ideal, they are not necessary.

For instance, my setup is a pc that has an AMD 350 processor, 512 ram and some 80 gig hard drives. Nothing special. Yes, I am running Pro Tools as well as some great mics.  read more »

Anytime you put on new strings, make sure you stretch them out. Typically, before I do any recording at all, I put new strings on my guitar. This way you get a really crisp sound when you record. I love the sound of a new set of strings.

The trick is, they can't be too new. Make sure you put them on and stretch them out. Then I usually like to play for at least an hour on that guitar to break them in. Make sure you play enough so that strings are streched out and will stay in tune for your session.  read more »

Everyone spends thousands on recording gear and instruments but nobody ever thinks about acoustics. Sure you may be getting decent recordings in your concrete basement, but could it be better?

Yes, it can. Over the next few weeks I plan on covering some of the basics of acoustics. I'd like to take some of the mystery out of standing waves, flutter echo, reflections, bass issues and everything else that keeps you from getting that great mix.  read more »

If you've got a home studio, you're more than likely playing all of the instruments yourself as well as playing talent and producer. I know that's definately the way it works in my studio.

So everything I record, is layered. Layering is the process of recording track after track of different instruments and placing them in the sound field.  read more »

What is it that makes a great guitar tone? I have no clue. I just sometimes get lucky.

I think it is a combination of things. The guitar, the pickups, the amp, effects, the strings and most of all the player.

I found a great article which covers this very topic. It's mostly covering speakers in your amp. But they also discuss quite a few other things. Give it a read, lots of good information.  read more »

Most home studios are in the basement. We all know how dirty, damp and icky your basement gets. Make it a priority to keep your home studio clean and dry.

I keep my door closed and locked to keep pets, kids and the wife out, not to mention it's an extra security measure.

Put away anything that is not being used. Mics in the mic cabinet, pedals, anything...put it away. Cover up your mixing board with a towel to keep the dust off of it. Cover up your keyboards, and any outboard gear. The trick is to not let dust settle on your expensive equipment.  read more »

Every home studio should have a good microhpone cabinet. This is like the gun safe of the home studio.

My microphone cabinet is a big two door cabinet. This is where I store everything for recording. I store microphones, pedals, outboard gear, cables, tuners, software, blank cd's, etc. You name it, it's in there.

And yes, it is organized. I keep everything as organized as I can. That way when I need something I know exactly where it is. Nothing like needing a mic cable and having it all knotted up with the other cables. Ugh.  read more »

One of the thing that really can be frustrating in the home studio, is forgetting how you got that sound. I always keep session notes. This way I can go back and recreate something if I need to.

Some things to keep track of are:  read more »

• Effects Settings
• Microphones used
• Tempo's (BPM)
• Flaws that need to be fixed
• Instruments used
• Direct or mic
• Amp settings
• Microphone distance
• EQ Settings

Sometimes when I record, I think to myself...man did I get lucky. There's no way I could do this again if I had to. Sometimes you just get it exactly right.

For me, recording is the process of taking one track and building on it. I keep layering instruments and different parts as I see fit. Until, one day I listen back to it, and it seems almost magical.  read more »

When I record electric guitar, I require three things: A decent guitarist, using a decent guitar and getting decent tone from the amplifier. If I don't have those, the guitar sound is going to be rough. Sometimes there are a few things I can do to improve it, but it will not really be a great guitar sound. If there is an issue with the guitar sound, it's usually because of the player, the guitar or amplifier. Plain and simple.  read more »

When I first moved into my house, I set up my studio and I used to keep everything unlocked. Now I'm a fanatic about locking my studio. There are a few reasons why.

The first is security. If someone breaks into your house, it's one more door they have to get through. Not too mention if you are spending lots of money on equipment, lock it up.

The second reason is my wife and kid. We have a 10 year old boy, who thinks everything in there is his toy. My wife used to go in there and clean sometimes, which would drive me nuts. So, neither of them have a key!  read more »