Yes, the AC/DC sound works well with very little distortion, but it wouldn't work for a band like Iron Maiden. Without distortion, there's no compression and sustain, and without those, the result is a '70s vintage guitar sound, which doesn't work for melodic heavy bands that play single-note melodies that need to sound thick and sustained. If you take a metal band and reduce the amount of distortion, what you get is Thin Lizzy. A cool band, but a much more classic rock sounding band than a metal band. It's just a different sound.
Yes! In general, that’s my philosophy. Sometimes the least you can get by with is a LOT haha. But saving it for those times makes it even more noticeable
my favorite tip is to double up parts with different tones, i will record one guitar track, usually with not as much alteration, then i will copy it and paste the exact track into a new track and go heavier on the effects, usually lowering the volume considerably. the two together (usually) work well and give a nice deep tone...
Tone depends on genre. Distortion, which is 90% of Garageband, is an interpretation of the hysteria of youth. Its can also be an angry or aggressive tone. Depending how long you've been around, distortion will eventually sound like a cliche. Its now used in bland TV ads for autos and bank loans.
I would recommend baritone guitars to anyone looking for heavy guitar tones. In addition to the tips mentioned here around typically needing less gain than we think, baritone guitars are able to retain attack clarity at lower tunings much better than standard guitars, in my opinion.
Great tips. I use too much distortion, resulting in layered guitar parts turning to mush, the attack of the note or chord gets squashed. I now duplicate the guitar track, make it totally clean, eq it with a bit of bite and blend it in with the distorted track till it sounds better. Also, if I want reverb, put it on the clean guitar only.
@@RobSinner Ah, v. interesting. "I love my guitars thru my amp" - if it sounds good in the room, then that's what should be recorded. I use GB cos it's a simple DAW, just want a basic recording medium. What mics are you using? IMHO a guitar going through an amp will ALWAYS sound better than simulation. Just a thought, why not close mic your amp speaker and have a second mic further away at head height to capture the room sound? Blend it in and it might dilute the "Rawness" you hear. (bet you've tried that already ha-ha!)
Got a little nervous about sending you my last couple mixes I really just want to learn and feel a good tone before i start recording as you mentioned... i am “songwriter” and a very Novice producer- thanks Collin watching all your videos brother
Great advice about saving your presets. It gives you a good base to find what you like, then tweak in your guitar tone review session. Keeping the heavier tones for a solo is also a great practice. Ultimately , what tones you like and sounds cool for your song, is the way to go. The choices in GB these days are fantastic.
Absolutely. The ability to presets just levels up what it can do even further. And I agree completely- whatever sounds cool for your song, is the right decision. Trust your ears and use what you like!
‼️ FREE 6-Step PRO Mix Checklist: www.thebandguide.com/6stepPROmix ‼️
Yes, the AC/DC sound works well with very little distortion, but it wouldn't work for a band like Iron Maiden. Without distortion, there's no compression and sustain, and without those, the result is a '70s vintage guitar sound, which doesn't work for melodic heavy bands that play single-note melodies that need to sound thick and sustained. If you take a metal band and reduce the amount of distortion, what you get is Thin Lizzy. A cool band, but a much more classic rock sounding band than a metal band. It's just a different sound.
I like your statement where you said about drive/distortion: “Use as little as you can get by with”. That is great advice 👍🏻
Yes! In general, that’s my philosophy. Sometimes the least you can get by with is a LOT haha. But saving it for those times makes it even more noticeable
my favorite tip is to double up parts with different tones,
i will record one guitar track, usually with not as much alteration, then i will copy it and paste the exact track into a new track and go heavier on the effects, usually lowering the volume considerably. the two together (usually) work well and give a nice deep tone...
Tone depends on genre. Distortion, which is 90% of Garageband, is an interpretation of the hysteria of youth. Its can also be an angry or aggressive tone. Depending how long you've been around, distortion will eventually sound like a cliche. Its now used in bland TV ads for autos and bank loans.
Really great advice for someone starting out on the guitar recording journey :) Thank you!
Every tone I try sucks. I hate it.
I would recommend baritone guitars to anyone looking for heavy guitar tones. In addition to the tips mentioned here around typically needing less gain than we think, baritone guitars are able to retain attack clarity at lower tunings much better than standard guitars, in my opinion.
That's a great tip, John!
Great tips. I use too much distortion, resulting in layered guitar parts turning to mush, the attack of the note or chord gets squashed. I now duplicate the guitar track, make it totally clean, eq it with a bit of bite and blend it in with the distorted track till it sounds better. Also, if I want reverb, put it on the clean guitar only.
Those are great tips! I have never thought of putting reverb just on a totally clean part layered under the distortion part 🤔 I'll have to try that!
@@RobSinner Ah, v. interesting. "I love my guitars thru my amp" - if it sounds good in the room, then that's what should be recorded. I use GB cos it's a simple DAW, just want a basic recording medium. What mics are you using? IMHO a guitar going through an amp will ALWAYS sound better than simulation. Just a thought, why not close mic your amp speaker and have a second mic further away at head height to capture the room sound? Blend it in and it might dilute the "Rawness" you hear. (bet you've tried that already ha-ha!)
Any tips for finding a better producer who i vibe with and more importantly somebody who can mix my tracks in local areas
Got a little nervous about sending you my last couple mixes I really just want to learn and feel a good tone before i start recording as you mentioned... i am “songwriter” and a very Novice producer- thanks Collin watching all your videos brother
I wish I could record a song with you
I would learn a thing or 2.
Great advice about saving your presets. It gives you a good base to find what you like, then tweak in your guitar tone review session. Keeping the heavier tones for a solo is also a great practice.
Ultimately , what tones you like and sounds cool for your song, is the way to go. The choices in GB these days are fantastic.
Absolutely. The ability to presets just levels up what it can do even further. And I agree completely- whatever sounds cool for your song, is the right decision. Trust your ears and use what you like!
Another great tutorial. Your videos are really helping me and my channel :)
Thank you! I'm glad to hear it 🙌🏼
@@TheBandGuide You're always welcome to drop by my channel anytime
Very helpful you're doing a great job
🙌🏼 thank you!
Thank you Colin! This helps!
Glad to hear it!
Cool and helpful tutorial. Thank you !
Glad it was helpful! 🙌🏼
Love this! You’ve got a fan for life!
🙌🏼 thanks so much Cameron!
This was great! Thanks!!
Hey thank you!