I have a beginner's setup and I'm trying to lay down some heavily overdriven guitar tracks. Like I said, my setup is very simple:

30W Marshall amp --> mixer --> Mac G4 w/ multi-track software

My tracks sound thin and dont have enough "balls." Does anyone have experience recording death metal or really distorted guitars?
I would appreciate any tips that would make them sound clear and punchy.

First thing that comes to mind is doubling... if you haven't done that already try it. You might also want to experiment with doubling with a slightly different sound on the amp to create a unique blend.

Also I always find that using less distortion than what I really want is better in clarity in the end... now I know you want heavy death sound... but the sound off your amp and the sound recorded are not workin in the same situation one is in a 'mix' context and teh other is either for live or rehearsing... which are 3 different situation don't be afraid to tweak the amp(or moving teh mic if you're using a mic) and listen back to the recorded result.

I've experienced that a tad less gain, adds punch and sounds fuller once recorded... got results like this recording, metal, rock,prog, blues... not a rule but 'most' of the time it helps.

Also here's a page I put up with stuff you might find interesting. I have it there as a reference I can use anywhere anytime I need it

Confessed Pickaholic!

[This message was edited by Glorbz on April 25, 2003 at 01:39 AM.]

for heavy guitars, more distortion is not always better. like glorbz said, mess with your amp, turn the gain down a bit, bring the mids up some, record it, then record the same thing again "doubling" it. try to take notes of different settings and then start mixing the waves together. you may find 2 of the same settings together give you a super fat, heavy sound, or, you may find that one pass with less gain and more mids, and one track with alot of gain and scooped mids really compliment each other and give you a huge sound.

Also, micing has alot to do with it. if you can record 2 mics at a time, put one about 2 inches from the grill cloth, just off the center of the speaker's dome, and then put another about 3-10 feet back (depending on the mic) and then mix those 2 tracks together.

Another tip for recording small amps is to record them in the bathroom. acoustics in there usually give off a fat plate type verb.

but truely, as i've learned in the last 8 months of recording my band, exparimentation and reading arcticles on the internet, as much as you can find, from people who know their shit, will help you the most.

oh, what kinda guitar with what pickups do you have?

Fish your mic ideas are right on par with what I have on my page!

Confessed Pickaholic!

heh, i was just gettin ready to go check your page out. =)

As all these guys said, "less" distortion is definitely key to getting a fat, punchy sound ... especially at home in less than optimal circumstances. As well as doubling with different tones, try different mic placement on the doubles. Be careful though, if you "layer" too much you can "wash" things out, have phasing problems, and actually make the part "smaller" instead of bigger. I just bought an Oktava ML-52 ribbon mic at guitar center for $300.00.(Ribbons are all the rage for distorted guitar these days, as well as clean). I wanted something expressly for recording in less than optimal situations, ie; small home studios into computers. So far, so good. This mic sounds like "my guitar and amp". You have to be careful with these, they're delicate. I've been using mine about a foot to 18" in front of a speaker, and about an inch or two up and over from the dustcap. Straight into a Mackie mixer(flat EQ, trim boosted)and into a computer(no EQ, comp, or pre - analog or virtual). I realize $300.00 may seem like alot for a mic but consider that the high dollar ribbons like Royer and Coles go for about $1700.00. Keep experimenting. I've been recording since the early 80's and getting a good guitar tone has always been one of the holy grails.