Partial Quad tracking (?)

[Vice//Versa]

Hey guys, I know there's tons of old threads about double tracking vs quad but after noticing multiple people talk about "selective" quad tracking I had a couple doubts. I guess the best way of describing what I mean is by example:

Verse (double tracked) > Chorus (quad tracked) > Bridge (double tracked > Breakdown (quad tracked)

Would I automate the extra pair so that the apparent volume is the same? bus to a compressor set to squash the quad tracked bits? or keep the extra pair going and switch to a different DI once I get to the chorus/breakdown (which would allow for a different tone which is always nice)? Do any of you guys do this often?

 

[JeffTD]

I do this a fair bit. Don't do anything with a comp to squash them together or switch DIs or anything like that, I just mix them in how I want it. Breakdowns need to sound heavier? Extra pair behind the originals. Chorus bigger? Go for a bigger sounding tone with the two addtl tracks if necessary.

 

[bryan_kilco]

+1 to what Jeff said.

Layering can really bring out the HUGE in songs. Just do what you feel needs to be done.

 

[Clockwork]

I do it a lot, sometimes just in the second half of the chorus to have more of a build up. It can be really useful.

 

[Vice//Versa]

It sounds like it's totally worth the extra hassle. Any general tips? should I listen through my mastering chain and move the faders while relying on the limited pushing down the extra guitar rms? Do you guys normally use a different amp/general tone?

 

[egan.]

I personally really like it when the mix moves a bit. Remember that in addition to the timbre change a dynamic change can make your mix more exiting.

 

[JeffEstrada]

I usually change guitar tones depending on the section of the song, so the chorus would a be a slightly different tone than the breakdown for example. Sometimes it's just something as simple as automating the drive up a bit on some sections.

 

[Jormyn]

I like to quadtrack the whole thing and then adjust the level of the second set all the way through, rather than just record a few specific parts. You can also have some fun with automating a high-pass on the second set for things like ringing chords, to give it a bit of that "70s strings swelling in the background" feel.

 

[jackobme]

Some riffs sound messy quad tracked. Breakdowns always sound great quad tracked. Chorus tend to sound messy quad tracked in my experience.