Are double-tracked guitars ok for pro records?

[Rumble]

Two Guitars, four guitars.. more?
What makes for better a Metal album?

I personally recorded our two eps with double-tracked guitars and double-tracked leads. I like the definition and detail, especially with the pick attack. I've been told by somone that I need more tracks, but I don't know if it's a good idea to go that route... How does everyone else like to track their guitars?

Here's a couple links to our sound with two rhythm guitar tracks.

http://fallenvictim.com/audio/Fallen_Victim-Fall_of_Mankind.mp3

http://forgetforever.com/audio/Forget_Forever_-_Revelation_0.mp3

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

2, 3 or 4 tracks are ok (more can be fun but...), it all depends on the style of music, the tightness of the player, the sound of the amp, and your personal preference...

 

[GuitarMaestro]

What Brett said. I see many bands/unexpirienced producers thinking the more guitar tracks the fatter the sound. All they do is creating walls of muddy/messy sounding guitars. You really have to be a pro player to make more tracks than 2 sound great. Otherwise it just sounds untight and muddy with more tracks....To answer your question: 2-4 tracks seems to be the most common these days for metal....the jump from 1 to 2 tracks is fundamental and a must, adding another 2 tracks has not nearly the same impact....

 

[kev]

What Brett said. I see many bands/unexpirienced producers thinking the more guitar tracks the fatter the sound. All they do is creating walls of muddy/messy sounding guitars. You really have to be a pro player to make more tracks than 2 sound great. Otherwise it just sounds untight and muddy with more tracks....To answer your question: 2-4 tracks seems to be the most common these days for metal....the jump from 1 to 2 tracks is fundamental and a must, adding another 2 tracks has not nearly the same impact....

yep i agree

 

[Ermz]

It also depends on the overall speed of the material. At least 2 rhythm tracks are a must, but if it's an old-school thrash band you're dealing with... adding more tracks starts to destroy what little detail and articulation there is in the guitars. You make the trade-off of less clarity for a fatter sound.

 

[Nebulous]

Just listened to your songs man. Definately keep it at 2 tracks.
If you want more beef in your sound though, id work a bit on the guitar tone. Thicken it up a bit, just do a search on this forum and im sure you'll find tons of coments and comparisons to get you in the right direction.
Realy like what you've done with the bass though, realy thick and suits the style.

 

[Matt Crooks]

At least 2 rhythm tracks are a must

All the Van Halen albums were one track, and that sound is HUGE.

It really depends on the sound of the band... I've had good luck with 3 tracks . . . a hard L/R and a center pulled back in the mix.

 

[Sinister Mephisto]

All the Van Halen albums were one track, and that sound is HUGE.

I don't really think Van Halen is metal.

 

[Lopes]

I don't really think Van Halen is metal.

Van Halen is beyond categorization.

 

[GuitarMaestro]

I don't really think Van Halen is metal.

Who cares? A great guitar sound is a great guitar sound....and to my knowledge ED did many tricks to get fat guitar sounds: like putting the same take on two tracks, panning them left and right and delaying one of the channels slightly and detune it some cents....

 

[Fragle]

"Are double-tracked guitars ok for pro records? "
answer: YES
proof: kreator - enemy of god: 2 tracks of peavey 5150

----END OF THREAD----

 

[Matt Smith]

Also ask a little album called "Tempo of the Damned", AKA the greatest rhythm tone ever recorded outside of the Black Album.

 

[Nebulous]

Also ask a little album called "Tempo of the Damned", AKA the greatest rhythm tone ever recorded outside of the Black Album.

Dont know if i agree with you there. I personally liked the Violent Revolution tone TONS better.

 

[cornerarea]

Less is more!

You don't have to double your tracks just for the sole purpose of doubling your tracks.

 

[Ermz]

Why not?

I'm with Yngwie, 'more is more'

 

[Sinister Mephisto]

Who cares? A great guitar sound is a great guitar sound....

Well... Sure, but there are lots of great guitar sounds and some are definatly better for some things then others. I love, LOVE Van Halens tone, but can you imagine how much Metallica (for instance) would suck with a single guitar that sounded like that?

I'm not saying you're wrong I'm just trying to say where I'm coming from.

 

[GuitarMaestro]

Well... Sure, but there are lots of great guitar sounds and some are definatly better for some things then others. I love, LOVE Van Halens tone, but can you imagine how much Metallica (for instance) would suck with a single guitar that sounded like that?

Very true! If anyone has any links on VH recording secrets please post....hard to get info on that one....

 

[Fragle]

Dont know if i agree with you there. I personally liked the Violent Revolution tone TONS better.

whoa....now this is REALLY interesting. i'm totally with matt, TOTD is one of the best thrash metal guitar tones ever.
violent revolution on the other hand tends to sound quite muddy to my ears. the drums are fine (actually i prefer them over the enemy of god drums) but the guitars are rather fizzy, overgained, overscooped, and muddy in general. pretty much the worst sounding album andy sneap ever did - no offence andy, different strokes for different folks