Dump the mud and carve out a focused low end with these helpful tips from Sweetwater’s lord of metal, Nick Bowcott. Check out more guitar lessons here 👉 ua-cam.com/play/PLlczpwSXEOyb7mwMcSsjKBfesBp6co4Dx.html
In my opinion, this is one of the most important hard rock videos on youtube to dial in your sound - very simple, clear, the explanations and time tested results - thank you Nick and Sweetwater !
After years of tone searching, I started experimenting for the first time in a long time on my EQ. I actually removed a LOT of lows, and once I did this, when sweeping the mids, I finally understand how mids work and it’s made a world of difference for my tone.
Same Here. When I saw Jeff Hanneman's rig, there were 2 Boss RGE-10's there and ''sad face'' was adjusted on Eq Sliders.And I used my GE-7 to mimic. Done!
one of the most eye opening insight into great metal tone was when I met Adam JOnes and asked him about his settings, i've always loved his tone. He cuts out all the bass, on his amps which blew my mind. But when I used the technique in a full mix it really left a great pocket for a Justin chancellor style bass tone.
While seeking John Petrucci's tight and powerful high gain tones, I was surprised at how much better it sounded to my ears when I backed off the gain and scooped less of the mids. Good to see I had the right idea!
Best thing is to use 2 boosts taking all the bass out within and before the preamp THEN use an EQ before the power amp to put it back in so you have the clean and clear bass
Great video! These low and low-mid cuts also reduce the woof from palm-muting (140-150hz or so, depending on technique). This is more noticeable when multitrack recording.
Thank you so much Nick! Your tips have my tone EXACTLY where I want it! Ive recently been trying to get "my tone" via a Boss GT-Pro (discontinued) and have been messing with levels of all sorts and when it seems like I would get close, there would be something missing somewhere else. Now my lows are tight but not in bass/drum land and my mids are full and highs soaring for leads. Thank you so much!!!
Im a huge fan (and collector) of OD's and no OD has ever made my jaw drop playing through it the first time as the MXR Custom Badass Modified OD did... Absolutely incredible for high-gain imo... 🤘
Thanks bud ive been lookn for this i dialed some lows out on my eq pedal but forgot to boost mids a bit as well but im not a fan ove overdrives i tend to like distortion but i will try my sd-1 again
GRIM REAPER!!!!!!! Loved 'Rock You to Hell'. Anyways, I set up my Boss GE-7 exactly like that after taking a screen shot and ran it into my Neunaber Neuron preamp pedal and it really sounded great!
Nice video guys! As an engineer though I gotta say, a bit hard for me to hear the low-end at times because it was being ducked so hard by whoever compressed the signal in post, causing it to 'pump'. A bit faster release/attack times there and/or some clipping instead of limiting/comp would make it more audible. Cheers!
Nowadays when i make my sound i always have less bass and are more mid range. When i started i just want bass and mid cut to darken the sound and i was always lost in the mix when playing with my band. In the early 2000's we had no information about that, not in Portugal and certainly not in the village where i live, people said if you want to be metal you should cut the mids and boost the bass, and that was the recipe.
I keep saying that each guitar is unique. Anytime I play a new guitar, I have to let the guitar tell me what it needs to make the tones that I have developed as sounding like ‘me’. I also like a solid groove to my music, so I dance in a different lane than the bass and drums, even though I play ‘heavy’. I can refer individuals to this video and say, ‘What he said.’ 🤘🙏❤️🎸🍵
Can you start a band with Nick D'Virgilio, also of Sweetwater, and call yourselves the Sweet Nicks!? XD Your first single could be called, The Beatniks, by The Sweet Nicks! And you could toss sweet water candy and stickers out to the crowd.. sounds sweet to me!!!
You can’t beat a regular old SD1 for the money 40-50 bucks and your muddy bottom end is tight and articulate also the SD1 is the easiest way to get the Marshall lower mid percussive clunk most people are looking for wether they know it or not. I palm mute the open a string and check it it sounds a little like a snare that’s what I’m looking for. Scooped sounds are fun at home but get buried in a mix, “but Dime” but Dime put the mids back in with all his eq shenanigans. Whenever I first got into playing some nu metal I’d been used to dumping the mids and on a down tuned guitar it’s even worse on lower than E flat tunings the mid knob on especially a Marshall is where the ballz are at . Ain’t nuthin wrong with your playing Nick I enjoy your rhythm and lead work sounds awesome too man, it’s rock n roll man ! Speakers, Speakers and Speakers for the price of a good Duncan or dimarzio you can buy a new or a couple good used speakers and that’s what makes the biggest difference. Speakers aren’t sexy as pickups and amps but I’ve really come to believe that speakers make the biggest overall difference it’s the thing you actually hear so it makes sense. If your pickups are loud and clear enough that speaker at the end of your chain is going to make the biggest difference in your sound.
This video would be more useful if it was cut into sections. Maybe there's nothing for me to learn hear anyway but I'm not going to click around every couple minutes of video to hopefully find something I didn't know.
put on slinkier strings play with 0.7 ish pick & put higer the gain but roll back the volume on guitar there are optimal vibration on strings where the tension dose not buzz but buzzes when played too strong like gain on amps on the adge of brake up add controll on your playing & play more a poor mans way of efcelence
Well explained Mr. Bowcott. I do not interact with a lot of other guitarists about gear, and what I use, etc., and I always find it weird when someone else's common knowledge is what I though my secret was. With my gear and tone I am always thinking, "Well, I HOPE that no one else ever discovers the SECRET to my tone!" And then you find out that there are tutorials on it. Well, as I go with my band to record the debut of our new project I do not have to worry about anyone discovering any of my "secrets". Well at least no one has discovered my other secret, "downtuning". That will remain mine alone! 😁❤🔥🤘
Dump the mud and carve out a focused low end with these helpful tips from Sweetwater’s lord of metal, Nick Bowcott. Check out more guitar lessons here 👉 ua-cam.com/play/PLlczpwSXEOyb7mwMcSsjKBfesBp6co4Dx.html
Why doesn't this man have a playlist channel of his own here? And one for Don while you're at it.
I second that. 🤘
I third that
Yes
I fourth that
Fifth
Oh wow! I had no idea David Attenborough was a sick metal guitarist!
In my opinion, this is one of the most important hard rock videos on youtube to dial in your sound - very simple, clear, the explanations and time tested results - thank you Nick and Sweetwater !
After years of tone searching, I started experimenting for the first time in a long time on my EQ. I actually removed a LOT of lows, and once I did this, when sweeping the mids, I finally understand how mids work and it’s made a world of difference for my tone.
Same Here. When I saw Jeff Hanneman's rig, there were 2 Boss RGE-10's there and ''sad face'' was adjusted on Eq Sliders.And I used my GE-7 to mimic. Done!
@serdar213 that makes a lot of sense actually. I love Hanneman
This is like watching a college level class in gain. NB is awesome. Keep these vids coming good sir! Thank you.
one of the most eye opening insight into great metal tone was when I met Adam JOnes and asked him about his settings, i've always loved his tone. He cuts out all the bass, on his amps which blew my mind. But when I used the technique in a full mix it really left a great pocket for a Justin chancellor style bass tone.
Don't forget Euge Valovirta . He always has killer tone and uses the ole Boss sd1.
This is essentially like a Sweetwater GearFest masterclass/seminar demo.
Lots of good wisdom here for home based recorders.
While seeking John Petrucci's tight and powerful high gain tones, I was surprised at how much better it sounded to my ears when I backed off the gain and scooped less of the mids. Good to see I had the right idea!
Nick is a national treasure, alright mate, from the UK
Great video Nick has a lot of great information
Best thing is to use 2 boosts taking all the bass out within and before the preamp THEN use an EQ before the power amp to put it back in so you have the clean and clear bass
Badass guitar! Love the way an ESP/LTD Explorer looks.
Great video! These low and low-mid cuts also reduce the woof from palm-muting (140-150hz or so, depending on technique). This is more noticeable when multitrack recording.
thank
you for this video. ive been wondering why I couldnt get tight low end and now I know why.
I always love Nick's videos. Rock on big boi
Holy cow that white LTD is so sick
Glad to know I’m on the right track. I use a Darkglass Microtubes X Ultra with my Baritone Guitars
Thank you so much Nick! Your tips have my tone EXACTLY where I want it! Ive recently been trying to get "my tone" via a Boss GT-Pro (discontinued) and have been messing with levels of all sorts and when it seems like I would get close, there would be something missing somewhere else. Now my lows are tight but not in bass/drum land and my mids are full and highs soaring for leads. Thank you so much!!!
Last tip is what lots of us love to hear, guitar playing is a never ending journey 😎
Im a huge fan (and collector) of OD's and no OD has ever made my jaw drop playing through it the first time as the MXR Custom Badass Modified OD did... Absolutely incredible for high-gain imo... 🤘
Thanks bud ive been lookn for this i dialed some lows out on my eq pedal but forgot to boost mids a bit as well but im not a fan ove overdrives i tend to like distortion but i will try my sd-1 again
I love this guy. Very helpful tips.
I realized that only after I started to play bass guitar. Now it's so much easier to dial up guitar tone
15:32 for better sound adjust GAIN to about 1 o'clock and control the amount of gain from TREBLE knob
I must have alot in common with bass frequencies because i am also “flubby and useless”😂. Another great vid Mr. Bowcott
😂😂
You are the best!!! Thank you Nick
Note: Passive tone controls only CUT frequencies... they don't BOOST frequencies. Active tone controls BOOST as well as CUT.
Don't forget the good ol' treble booster
I noticed the Left Hand Brewery sticker on the black guitar! It is a local icon!!! 🤘🤘
Got really giddy when I heard the "Of Wolf and Man" riff. 👌
Dude. I'm left handed as well. I wanna jam with nick bowcott! Hopefully one day haha
This dude is awesome!
GRIM REAPER!!!!!!! Loved 'Rock You to Hell'. Anyways, I set up my Boss GE-7 exactly like that after taking a screen shot and ran it into my Neunaber Neuron preamp pedal and it really sounded great!
Nice video guys!
As an engineer though I gotta say, a bit hard for me to hear the low-end at times because it was being ducked so hard by whoever compressed the signal in post, causing it to 'pump'.
A bit faster release/attack times there and/or some clipping instead of limiting/comp would make it more audible.
Cheers!
I remember your guitar clinic with KsE guys Adam and Joel, was quite funny and you added some good banter 😂
Id watch lots of videos of this guy talking about guitar stuff while playing stuff on guitar
Nowadays when i make my sound i always have less bass and are more mid range. When i started i just want bass and mid cut to darken the sound and i was always lost in the mix when playing with my band. In the early 2000's we had no information about that, not in Portugal and certainly not in the village where i live, people said if you want to be metal you should cut the mids and boost the bass, and that was the recipe.
You aced it 😉👍
I keep saying that each guitar is unique. Anytime I play a new guitar, I have to let the guitar tell me what it needs to make the tones that I have developed as sounding like ‘me’. I also like a solid groove to my music, so I dance in a different lane than the bass and drums, even though I play ‘heavy’. I can refer individuals to this video and say, ‘What he said.’ 🤘🙏❤️🎸🍵
Did Nick just play some album one Trivium? Nice!
love that guitar though.
the boss equalizer pedal is a HIGHLY underrated tool for the metal genre
Been using one since the 80's... won't play without one.
Can you start a band with Nick D'Virgilio, also of Sweetwater, and call yourselves the Sweet Nicks!? XD
Your first single could be called, The Beatniks, by The Sweet Nicks! And you could toss sweet water candy and stickers out to the crowd.. sounds sweet to me!!!
Nick the Guitar God of Sweetwater.
What’s the riff at 15:23?
Good ol' Tube Screamer (and all it's replicas and followers) for it's midrange emphasis and low end de-emphasis, ofc.
Hey I'm also a lefty guitarist
Hellyeah try the MUD KILLER from electric eye audio
You can’t beat a regular old SD1 for the money 40-50 bucks and your muddy bottom end is tight and articulate also the SD1 is the easiest way to get the Marshall lower mid percussive clunk most people are looking for wether they know it or not. I palm mute the open a string and check it it sounds a little like a snare that’s what I’m looking for.
Scooped sounds are fun at home but get buried in a mix, “but Dime” but Dime put the mids back in with all his eq shenanigans. Whenever I first got into playing some nu metal I’d been used to dumping the mids and on a down tuned guitar it’s even worse on lower than E flat tunings the mid knob on especially a Marshall is where the ballz are at .
Ain’t nuthin wrong with your playing Nick I enjoy your rhythm and lead work sounds awesome too man, it’s rock n roll man !
Speakers, Speakers and Speakers for the price of a good Duncan or dimarzio you can buy a new or a couple good used speakers and that’s what makes the biggest difference. Speakers aren’t sexy as pickups and amps but I’ve really come to believe that speakers make the biggest overall difference it’s the thing you actually hear so it makes sense. If your pickups are loud and clear enough that speaker at the end of your chain is going to make the biggest difference in your sound.
Speakers are a big deal.
I love using the sd1 for a clean boost it really adds aggressive mids and treble
preQ-clean boost for me
dude he’s left handed that’s so cool i’m left handed too
13:55 WHAAAAATTT????? 😅
Nevertheless, enjoyed the video.
That low end is so tight i blew my o-ring...
LOL you ain't right.
walrus audio Janus effect
Did he touch on the Modified O.D.? or was it just there.
Yeah he used it
13:40
Thanks
I wish this dude was my uncle
Nick, why don’t you have your own UA-cam channel?
I liked the SD-1 better
change the speakers guys
Thanks Nick.
Great video. More “Rock you to hell” next time.
The fact that the BOSS SD-1 rolls off the bottom is why I have always disliked them. The actual OD part is good though.
This video is sponsored by Kyle Bull 😅😅
Why use pedals when you can just lower the bass on your amp?!
Unless of course, your bass on the amp is set to 0 and still you want even less.
pull harder at the beginning.
I need an A-B test. I can't hear a thing, too deaf or stupid or something.
String gauge! 🤣
This video would be more useful if it was cut into sections. Maybe there's nothing for me to learn hear anyway but I'm not going to click around every couple minutes of video to hopefully find something I didn't know.
The day after Thanksgiving? Brutal-
put on slinkier strings play with 0.7 ish pick & put higer the gain but roll back the volume on guitar
there are optimal vibration on strings where the tension dose not buzz but buzzes when played too strong
like gain on amps on the adge of brake up
add controll on your playing & play more
a poor mans way of efcelence
Since you're almost always just a tiny little bit out of tune, I'm guessing you detune quickly by ear before recording. Am I right?
its so weird to watch another lefty play guitar
Will this work on my girlfriend???
No Botox needed
The solution to "too much" low end is stop being a wimp. We stopped playing Rickenbackers in rock music for a reason.
Use a DiMarzio D-Activator in the bridge. That is miraculous!!!
Well explained Mr. Bowcott. I do not interact with a lot of other guitarists about gear, and what I use, etc., and I always find it weird when someone else's common knowledge is what I though my secret was. With my gear and tone I am always thinking, "Well, I HOPE that no one else ever discovers the SECRET to my tone!" And then you find out that there are tutorials on it. Well, as I go with my band to record the debut of our new project I do not have to worry about anyone discovering any of my "secrets". Well at least no one has discovered my other secret, "downtuning". That will remain mine alone! 😁❤🔥🤘
wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much gain