HIGH GAIN GUITAR TONE | AMPLITUBE 5 TUTORIAL

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses the intricacies of crafting a high-gain guitar tone, emphasizing that it's not just about turning up the gain. They guide viewers through the process, starting with a Gibson guitar and an amp setup, adjusting EQ settings to carve out the mids and enhance clarity. The tutorial also covers the use of a noise gate, different microphone choices for varying tones, and the importance of adjusting settings to suit personal equipment. The goal is to achieve a controlled, tight high-gain tone while encouraging viewers to adapt the process to their preferences.

Takeaways

• 🎸 High gain tones can be challenging to achieve, especially with modern equipment where tone quality is highly refined.
• 📻 Early bands like Venom, Slayer, and Metallica had a distinct 'garage' sound due to limited budgets and equipment, which influenced their high gain tones.
• 👂 It's crucial to pay close attention to your sound in a recording environment, as what sounds great live might not translate well to recordings.
• 🔊 Overlooking details in the excitement of playing can lead to disappointment in the final recorded product.
• 🎚️ The process of creating a high gain tone involves several steps and sometimes requires 'backwards thinking'.
• 🔧 Using a Gibson guitar and a PO Studio, the tutorial demonstrates how to shape a high gain tone by adjusting various settings.
• 🏭 The choice of amplifier and its settings, such as the Mesa Dual Rectifier, play a significant role in achieving the desired high gain tone.
• 🎛️ EQ adjustments are key, with a focus on reducing mids and adding presence to avoid a crowded sound, especially with distortion.
• 📍 The type of diodes and tubes used in the amplifier can greatly affect the tone, with silicon diodes and 606s in bold setting being a notable choice.
• 🎥 The use of a noise gate is essential when adding overdrive to prevent unwanted noise from distorting the sound.
• 🔊 The selection of microphones can significantly impact the tone, with different microphones providing varying levels of bottom end and clarity.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is creating a high gain tone for guitar, focusing on the process and adjustments needed to achieve a desirable sound.

Why is achieving a high gain tone considered challenging?

Achieving a high gain tone is challenging because it requires careful adjustments and attention to detail, especially in modern times where there's a high standard for tone quality.

What does the speaker suggest might be overlooked when playing a high gain tone live?

When playing a high gain tone live, one might easily overlook certain sound characteristics that become apparent only when listening through headphones or during recording.

What is the first step the speaker takes to shape the high gain tone in the script?

The first step the speaker takes is to change the room setting in the audio software to a large studio and then mute it to focus on the direct sound from the guitar.

Why does the speaker choose to mute the secondary microphone?

The speaker mutes the secondary microphone to reduce room sound and focus on the direct guitar tone, which is crucial for recording and achieving an 'in your face' sound.

What amp setting does the speaker prefer for high gain tones?

The speaker prefers the Mesa Dual Rectifier setting for high gain tones due to its natural sound and suitability for the desired tone.

How does the speaker adjust the EQ settings on the Mesa Dual Rectifier?

The speaker adjusts the EQ settings by slightly increasing the presence, turning the master down to two, setting the gain to 7.7, and carving out some mids to avoid a crowded sound with distortion.

What is the significance of the diode selection in the amp modeling?

The diode selection significantly affects the tone's character, with different diode types offering variations in gain, volume, and pick attack, which the speaker demonstrates by comparing silicon diodes with 606s in bold setting to spongy settings.

Why does the speaker add an overdrive or boost to the tone?

The speaker adds an overdrive or boost to increase the distortion level without pushing the amp too hard, which can lead to an undesirable 'flabby' bottom end.

How does the speaker use a noise gate to manage noise introduced by the overdrive?

The speaker uses a noise gate by placing it in the first slot of the pedal chain and setting it to a fast attack to eliminate noise while preserving the desired gain and distortion.

What role does the microphone selection play in shaping the final tone?

Microphone selection plays a crucial role by affecting the tone's body and clarity. The speaker compares different microphones, such as the Shure SM57 and the Sennheiser MD 421, to find the one that complements the high gain tone best.