How do YOU track metal guitars?

Moving a solo 1 to 7% left or right is enough to be considered a "terrible job"?

Not sure how something pretty subtle can equate to such catastrophic results.

Fans of the early Van Halen records will likely disagree with that. I think they have a few fans.

Based on the number of 2 guitar, solo trade off, style rock/metal albums this isnt an obscure idea. Its pretty common from what I have heard. Ever heard of Judas Priest?

Personally I've never been to a concert and said to myself "Ya know? This sucks. I wish it sounded just like the cd."

Personally, I have a lot more fun at a live event. Whether its in someones basement, a local club, the House of Blues, or a stadium.

So for my personal mixes I like to create a soundstage that is closer to how a live scenario sounds.

Take a band like Iron Maiden. I happen to love how their live releases sound. And one thing that they do there is put each of the lead guitarists in a particular section of the soundstage. (I'm talking during solos) I like that type of mix so I use it for my own purposes as well.

To each their own of course.
 
i hate explaining this every time, haha
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I can imagine.

This:

two guitar tracks, one left and one right

unless there's a lead or a weaker part, that goes in the center and then a double of the rthm is recorded

hard pan
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Is not very clear. "Double of the rhythm is recorded". What you are calling "rhythm" is the grey area. Is the rhythm the L and R parts mentioned above? Just the L? Just the R? Are you talking about adding a solo guitar and another rhythm track to the L and R above?

It leaves questions. So I asked. Rather than assume.

2 rhythm guitars, 1 each hard L and hard R, with a leads/weak parts in the center. Is a lot clearer to me. That method had been mentioned before a few times today so it made sense that perhaps you were offerring up something different...

Hence the confusion.

Thanks for clarifying however. Much appreciated!
 
You know, somehow I knew Van Halen was gonna come up :lol: But a mix for them ain't gonna work for Arch Enemy! Of course, the 7% thing isn't at all unreasonable IMO, I'm pretty sure this is another case of Joey not reading (as he's freely admitted before :D)
 
:)

I never said I was mixing Arch Enemy. But yeah, that wouldnt work there would it. I dont think that would work with any 2 guitar band..... Putting all guitars to one side.

Its all creative expression. There is no wrong in my opinion anyway. Except writing shit music. :lol:
 
Let me just say, however, that I fucking LOVE Judas Priest - seriously, one of the few classic metal bands that I really dig as much as my favorite modern metal bands
 
If I quad, I tend to use anywhere between 90 percent to 80 per cent, just depending on what I feel like and like the sound of best I suppose. Anymore than 80 per cent for the inner 2 guitars weirds me out
 
I only like double tracked leads for dynamics, just to emphasize certain parts of a solo, but when you do it for the whole solo it just sounds fucking annoying.
The worst case of multi tracking leads was Randy Rhoads.
It just boggles my mind he spent all that time triple tracking leads, making it sound even worse and disgustingly honky, when it was time much better spent on the rhythm tone, which sucked fucking ass.
 
Harry Hughes said:
I only like double tracked leads for dynamics, just to emphasize certain parts of a solo, but when you do it for the whole solo it just sounds fucking annoying.
The worst case of multi tracking leads was Randy Rhoads.
It just boggles my mind he spent all that time triple tracking leads, making it sound even worse and disgustingly honky, when it was time much better spent on the rhythm tone, which sucked fucking ass.
Click to expand...

OH

MY

GOD






THANK YOU - he's exactly who I was thinking of when I said how much I detest double-tracked leads, but didn't wanna be the first to say it and get royally shat upon :lol: But Dave, that did sound pretty cool dude, nicely done! (the panning really made a difference for the better IMO)
 
I can't agree about his tone, its the classic Ozzy sound! But I do prefer leads left as one track, or sometimes Carcass style harmony parts but not whole solos, a solo is the solo, it should be the one guitarist going crazy or getting his/her sould out on the guitar!
 
The problem with most of these replies, IMO, is that it's too black and white. (don't get me wrong here guys, most of these tactics work with outstanding results more times than not). I just don't want some people to get the wrong impression and think there is ALWAYS that one magic way to record guitars. If you're going to record rhythms hard left and hard right and one lead in the middle, then fine. It's a standard way, and an effective way to create pleasurable sounds. But to limit your creativity by applying "your tracking methods" to every project/band that comes your way, you are not only limiting your future knowledge, but also, more importantly, the clients' creativity.

That being said, i generally do rhythms 100% L and 100% R, and from then on, layer where need be by LISTENING. (and trying to keep an even stereo field)
 
2 full rhythm tracks left panned 100% and 2 full rhythm tracks right.

If the guitarist is not tight then just 1 left and 1 right.

Solos down the center.

Harmonies etc normally center unless I'm recording 2 guitarists 1 panned left and 1 right and they play different parts.
 
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