Guitar: Quad layering vs Double Layering???

[jackwoodley95]

Hi I'm fairly new to production and was wondering is it best to quad layer guitars or double layer? And how you would go about panning using each technique. I specialise in metalcore and currently I quad layer each guitar and pan them the following:

Guitar 1: 95/LEFT
85/LEFT
70/LEFT
55/LEFT


Guitar 2: 95/RIGHT
85/RIGHT
70/RIGHT
55/RIGHT


I know this isn't the right technique to record metal guitars but I wanted to get your thoughts on the subject and how you record your guitars?

 

[Daybreak]

I never quad track anymore, first there's the phase problem, and second it's just muddier. Though, it depends on what context it's in - but my mixes are always pretty dense with very fat and punchy bass and drums, so quad-tracked guitars just doesn't fit in there or is really needed. Then there's the tripl-tracking method - Double-layering, with an extra track right in the center with another amp. Tried that too, same result as quad - Just muddy and phasey. But hey, I have heard cool results too with quad-tracking, so experiment with it, find your own thing. As far as panning goes I always pan 100% left, 100% right. I honestly don't see why you would pan like 85% or something. I feel it makes the mix "smaller" in a bad way that is. ):

But that's just how I do it at the time, haha. But as I said, experiment, find what YOU think sounds best!

 

[Bay Studio]

Hi I'm fairly new to production and was wondering is it best to quad layer guitars or double layer? And how you would go about panning using each technique. I specialise in metalcore and currently I quad layer each guitar and pan them the following:

Guitar 1: 95/LEFT
85/LEFT
70/LEFT
55/LEFT


Guitar 2: 95/RIGHT
85/RIGHT
70/RIGHT
55/RIGHT


I know this isn't the right technique to record metal guitars but I wanted to get your thoughts on the subject and how you record your guitars?

If you´re gonna pan the rhythms the way you listed it on the top, then you´re gonna have the guitars hogging most of the stereo spectrum.
Quad tracking is 2 left and 2 right.
Just settle with what you think suits the style you´re working on best.
Sometime i would quad track a chorus, just to make it blow up more. And when they verse/or whatever starts, go back to dual tracking (1 left, 1 right).
Keep in mind, if you double track, you´re gonna give those guitars more air to breathe in the mix than if you would quad track all the way through. Just be creative, and maybe lower the other 2 guitar tracks by a couple db.