Meshuggah - Chaosphere tone

[Noumenon]

I think they use the same switching as they did for when they used pod pros live.

When fredrik is about to solo he steps on a button to get his lead sound. At the same time his guitar is panned to center (with stereo delay) and Mårten's guitar is panned left and is also sent to a short delay for the right sound to simulate two guitars.

I've thought about doing this, but since we both play leads (or rather I play solos and the other guy plays some lead lines) it would be a bit to difficult

 

[Brooks]

Yeah, their live switching system is just too cool.

I have absolutely no clue how one would go about setting that up. They had 6 rackmounted Vetta II heads when I saw them. They must be chatting via MIDI with some pretty outrageous languages going between them.

 

[sorceron]

I think they use the same switching as they did for when they used pod pros live.

When fredrik is about to solo he steps on a button to get his lead sound. At the same time his guitar is panned to center (with stereo delay) and Mårten's guitar is panned left and is also sent to a short delay for the right sound to simulate two guitars.

I've thought about doing this, but since we both play leads (or rather I play solos and the other guy plays some lead lines) it would be a bit to difficult

wow thats nuts

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Seriously, there's nothing incredible about doing this, it seems pretty obvious to be honest. Plus with the Vetta going out direct, it's just piece of cake, you have two amps at the same time in one head.

 

[silverwulf]

I really like the DEI tone. That's definitely a Dual Recto. And I also agree the G12T-75 speakers are probably an integral part of that sound. I prefer Vintage 30's personally, but some of my favorite metal albums/tones were also done with 75's...Metallica's old albums through Justice, all of Iced Earth's stuff, DHIADW, etc.

 

[Noumenon]

Seriously, there's nothing incredible about doing this, it seems pretty obvious to be honest. Plus with the Vetta going out direct, it's just piece of cake, you have two amps at the same time in one head.

yeah but as far as I've thought they would need some mixer of some kind and just give the soundman two xlrs or such that's guitars.

wish I had a switchblade right now

EDIT: forgot that the vettas can have two amp sims with different effects on them.

 

[Familia><Publica]

I bought dual rec thinking i could also recreate that chaosphere sound as its a favourite album of mine. Even though i recorded it through a 1960a, it didnt sound anything like it. I was using an sm57, so maybe that was the problem. Perhaps the tlm 193 they used was the answer to the tone. The guy thats in Tesseract also uses a tlm 193 for his cab mic and i must say he has an excellent " mechanical " sounding tone.

 

[guitarguru777]

Personally i think Dinos Tone on Demanufacture was more Mechanical and Industrial.... Ibanez 7 into a Modded Marshall, one of the best tones ive ever heard for that type of music....

But still my all time fave is Testament Souls Of Black. If i could get that tone i would never leave the studio...

 

[Ermz]

I've never heard much of Demanufacture. I'll check it out, even if just for the production.

I also think Metallica pulled some great rhythm tones back in the day (using the Triaxis I believe?).

 

[jamesboyd]

hmmm I'm pretty sure demanufacture was an esp with an emg81 into the bob bradshaw modded 800.

great tone, I definately prefer that to the chaosphere tone.

 

[Ermz]

I'm checking out a few Demanufacture samples... the tone sounds too warm for me. I still favor Chaosphere tone by a long shot.

 

[Ermz]

I bought dual rec thinking i could also recreate that chaosphere sound as its a favourite album of mine. Even though i recorded it through a 1960a, it didnt sound anything like it. I was using an sm57, so maybe that was the problem. Perhaps the tlm 193 they used was the answer to the tone. The guy thats in Tesseract also uses a tlm 193 for his cab mic and i must say he has an excellent " mechanical " sounding tone.

Well it always seemed like there was a lot more to that sound than just the Head-Cab combo. I'm almost certain they're doing something radical with EQ and those effects pedals of theirs.

I agree about the TLM 193. I don't know whethere it's the mic itself, but every rhythm tone I've heard recorded through one just sounds *SO* tight.

Back to that switching discussion... is it even possible to do what Meshuggah do with switching live, with non-modeller amps? It sounds like a pretty awesome thing.

EDIT: I also think that bass guitar adds to the tone of the guitars. It's like they gave the bass the same dry, mechanical treatment as the guitars... the two complement each other seamlessly. I have no idea how to even approach a bass tone like that.

EDITV2: I'm just listening to DEI, with the start of 'Sublevels' cranked at the moment. It sounds like there's some kind of grainy, crunch noise on the guitars. It's almost like the sound of the speaker moving is adding to the guitar tone. Maybe the speaker excursion itself is at a point where its changing the tone around? Could be that you have to crank the living fuck out of the cab? Who knows... im gonna keep listening.

 

[Wolfeman]

hmmm I'm pretty sure demanufacture was an esp with an emg81 into the bob bradshaw modded 800.

great tone, I definately prefer that to the chaosphere tone.

I'm pretty sure you are right, I don't think Dino used the 7-string until after that album...

 

[blackcom]

A pre gain boost device, Recto and a proper gate is a must for that chaosphere tone...
However, I don't think it sounds like either G12T75 or V30....it sounds moore like G12-80 classic lead wich as a rally razor-blade crispy top....They used a JCM800 Lead cabinett....some older JCM 800 cabs actually came with G12-80's.....

 

[Ermz]

By pre-gain boost device, do you mean something like a TS?

 

[Noumenon]

Back to that switching discussion... is it even possible to do what Meshuggah do with switching live, with non-modeller amps? It sounds like a pretty awesome thing.

Sure thing! You'd need a switcher+mixer (could probobly do it without a mixer, but setting right levels is easier with one) or a switchblade Want me to draw you a flowchart?

The main thing would be that the mics for the cabs would have to go to the switcher that then switches the signals into different mixer channels with different pannings. Then main out from the mixer to the PA

 

[Ermz]

So you don't essentially need an extra mixer, you just run the switcher into the house mixing desk, provided you have a few channels to spare?

 

[Noumenon]

come to think of it you'd probobly would need a mixer.

rythm:
guitar 1 -> channel 1 (panned left)
Guitar 2 -> channel 3 (panned right)

lead:
guitar 1 -> channel 1 & 2 (left& right, use a stereo delay here for a nice width)
guitar 2 -> channel 3 & 4 (left & right, optional delay on chan 4)

Main out 1&2-->PA

But the only thing the soundman can control is how loud the guitars is. He's essentially mixing a subgroup.

Could be doable if the PA has four channels for guitar use, but the soundman has to be pretty good at his job and you'd better have alot of time to explain or explain very well what you want him to do with the channels.

 

[Noumenon]

I'll draw up two flowcharts when I get home from work

 

[Noumenon]

Easiest way to do it, requires a nice soundguy.

Cooler way, brings in stereo effects

Coolest way is using a Switchblade, just one unit for the above example (excluding the guitars and FXs, doh)

The downside is that if you want to hear the effects you'd have to have your guitars in your monitors or such.