Help with recording fuzzy guitars

Question

Level 1

4 points

Help with recording fuzzy guitars

I've recored a few tracks with Garageband over the past 2 months that I have had my imac. And apart from disappearing guitars on one track, the experience hasn't been to bad.
Now I'm looking for a heavier sound for some of my tracks but I can't seem to get that crisp heavy sound. I've played around for a few hours with the EQ's and the sounds that the software provides, but I just can't seem to tighten it up.
I am using a Les Paul Voodoo, the pick ups in it are fine when played through an amp. So I have kinda ruled out the pick ups being the problem. I bought a new lead, and new string brightened it up a little. But It just seems like whatever I do it sound fuzzy when its played back. This isn't the case with my Basses, and all other software instruments are fine.
I also play a Yamaha APX4 acoustic which can sound fuzzy sometimes, but I can usually tweak the EQ to reduce that.
Anyone else have this problem or does anyone have any tips for getting the best out of guitar through Garageband?
Cheers,

Pete

imac, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Feb 1, 2008 5:28 PM

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Answer 1

isteveus

Level 5

4,340 points

Feb 1, 2008 10:13 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

The voodoo has some hot pickups when driving a tube amp you create the sweetest sounds when (over) driving a recording preamp, clipping.

What are you using for a interface?

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Answer 2

mikul98

Level 1

35 points

Feb 2, 2008 4:05 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

are you using the GB amp models? i don't have much luck with those (except for the british hi gain which i tweak to death). if i want real sounding amps, the GB stuff doesn't really do it for me. i ended up spending $100 on one of those line6 pocket pods and it works pretty well. apparently there is something you can download from line 6 that gives you even more control as well as pre-sets that others have made (both free and you can listen before downloading the presets). i've always been a real amp guy, but this thing actually is pretty good (it's the clean sounds i'm not crazy about).

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Answer 3

Pete.goatboy Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2008 3:40 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

Hi guy's thank's for the response.

1, I don't use an interface but I have been thinking of getting one if it will improve my sound. I don't really know to much about interfaces. I plug direct in to my imac using a jack reducer.
I'm a bass player.... Insert joke here....
If you can possibly advise on an interface that would be cool.
2, I've been using the metal/new metal settings on garageband and tweaking them like crazy maybe over tweaking them.

This is really my first time at recording guitars. In the past I always paid over the top in a studio and I've been with a band. So when guitar recording was going on I was usually down the pub.
So I guess you could say I'm still trying to find my feet.

The line 6 thing, do I need the line 6 hardware, or is it an app for garageband?

All help is very much appreciated.
Cheers,

Pete

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Answer 4

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Feb 3, 2008 3:44 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

If you can possibly advise on an interface that would be cool.

some of the most popular:

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Interfaces.html

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Answer 5

mikul98

Level 1

35 points

Feb 3, 2008 7:23 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

the line 6 has a USB out so thath you can access their software and tweak the presets via your computer. i haven't bothered with their software yet myself. i just plug my guitar into the line 6 and then plug the line 6 out into iMic (my friend gave it to me but they are really cheap at the apple store), into the mac. i can't afford an interface right now, so the iMic allows me to plug real instruments in through the USB. works pretty well.

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Answer 6

carlaz

Level 1

63 points

Feb 4, 2008 12:23 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

I came up with one setting (yes, a tweaked British Gain :)) that I liked well enough that I've posted the settings on my web site: http://www.carlaz.com/music/gb_presets.html

I use it with my Gibson LP Std for classic heavy/rock metal type vibes, and it sounds pretty decent (IMO!) for a GarageBand amp sim.

I've long been tempted by the Line6 stuff -- they sell hardware (like the Pods) and software AU plug-ins that (I'm told) work happily in GarageBand. I'm interested in checking out those AU plug-ins; they should give one the same ability to "re-amp" (i.e. change your amp settings on the fly) that the GB amp sims do, but should perhaps offer better sound and more flexibility.

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Answer 7

Feb 6, 2008 2:28 AM in response to Pete.goatboy

Are you using a D.I. box in between your guitar and the input on your computer. If not, the problem is most likely the fact that your guitar is an extremely high impedance device, while the input on your computer is very low impedance. D.I. boxes will change the levels for you and you will get a much better direct sound. You can get a basic passive D.I. box for anywhere from 20-100 dollars at your local guitar store.

Hope this is some help

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Answer 8

Feb 8, 2008 3:52 PM in response to Pete.goatboy

There's a cable that connects you directly from Guitar to Mac, it's about £15 I think, helpful for eliminating fuzz.

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Answer 9

Pete.goatboy Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 12, 2008 2:49 PM in response to George Gabriel

Thanks for everyones help with this.
I think I may go out and buy an audio interface this weekend.

Thanks again,

Pete

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