How to Mix Amp Sim guitars

[@dylan.606]

This is one of the most helpful vids I've ever seen. Period.

[@99shredder]

I couldn’t agree more!!!!!

[@tomasengstrom6362]

couldn't agree more ;)

[@shadowbeneaththecrown9993]

lol one of them yup

[@bradmodd7856]

We just need one now to explain why real drums are necessary and real amps aren't

[@TalMK]

@@bradmodd7856 Glenn answered that one before, it's about preserving the playing itself and not the sound, take that away and you suck the life out of the music, you can emulate the real sound of an amp but it's gonna be VERY hard to get away with emulating a real drummer playing.

[@user-vv7gt2hu7p]

"Wide boost, narrow cut" is the shortest best advice for EQ'ing, thanks!

[@jamesd7678]

I’m new to this shit. What does that even mean? Generous with the boost, but narrow as in specific with what frequency you’re EQ’ing?

[@nickcrane8329]

@@jamesd7678 Narrow as in the range of frequencies you are cutting out. You dont want to cut too much and loose dynamics

[@jamesd7678]

Nick Crane gotcha. Thanks!

[@maniacle]

The compression setting recommendation proved helpful even if this was 5 years ago...thanks for this!!!

[@SoItWouldBe]

For anyone wondering, you can also use the free plug in nova for as a multi band compressor

[@rivervaughanmusicstuff]

I like free!

[@shigrathFX]

It's funny how much has changed since I watch this channel. I started out wanting to make my songs sound halfway okay to not kill me when I write them. Here I am now, addicted to mixing and owner of many amp sims and finally - a Joyo Zombie. What a beast. This little thing is right what I wanted. Thanks again, Glenn.

[@danlewis8044]

8:39 - "Listen to what happens here." That's the essence, right there, of why I like your videos. You not only show me what TO do, but WHY, and why I shouldn't do it like THAT!

[@allenwarfield9262]

Thank you for this Glenn! This has been such a great help to many of us poor bastards trying to learn recording on our own!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

My pleasure, Allen!

[@danlewis8044]

Please continue this format. This was one of THE most helpful videos I've ever watched from anybody! You hit me with What, then hit me with Why, then hit me with How! BTW, that'll be $12,000 in "consulting fees." (Bah-dum-TSS!)

[@jasonstallworth]

Glen, totally with you on the cab impulses. Most amp sims (I say this a bit loosely) sound 'good.' But the cabs make all the difference. I've found a few game changers that's worked great for me... 1 - The Celestion speakers that come with Positive Grid's BIAS AMP 2 elite package 2 - Torpedo Wall of Sounds' Mesa cab 3 - Neural DSP Fortin NTS (they're stock cab/mics sounds pretty good)

[@Protonaut]

Nice! Also, regarding double tracking, here's a little trick for you: Instead of panning one track hard left and one hard right, leave both tracks in the middle and invert the phase of only the right channel of the second track. Gives you the same big punchy stereo guitar with the added bonus of making it more mono compatible, since the second track will cancel itself out in mono, so it will sound tighter there. I use the same trick for vocals and guitar solos with a HPF on the second track (and pulling it down a little). Have a nice day guys!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Hmm... I should really check that out!

[@Protonaut]

@@SpectreSoundStudios Awesome! Also, if anyone's interested, I made a little plugin myself using REAPER's JSFX coding language that does exactly that, so I don't have do that procedure manually everytime. I can post a Google Drive Link to that if anyone wants that :)

[@awaitingchaosband]

@@Protonaut interested!

[@Protonaut]

@@awaitingchaosband Alright, I will provide a link as soon as I'm back home from work :)

[@gilbertspader7974]

Wow !!!

[@emeraldeyes929]

Interesting how you boosted the high end instead of low passing it. The 4k cut helped de-harsh my tone too. Thank you for helping those of us who primarily use amp sims. You rock!

[@RudyAyoub]

Im early again Edit: oh mang my tracks are here

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

What it it, 5am there?

[@INeedAttentionEXE]

@@SpectreSoundStudios Holy shit man, it's 5 am. Do you ever sleep?

[@RudyAyoub]

SpectreSoundStudios indeed it is

[@putridabomination]

Man you wake up early, 🤘🏻

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Go to bed, Rudy!

[@OrionHellraiser]

It's funny because I've been learning this stuff for years by myself, and I just came to the realization of doing this exact thing the last week lol, no kidding!! I said "just group all the guitars, get the sound right at the source or amp sim and EQ very lightly according to the needs of the mix" and I used exactly that same SSL EQ for the exact same reason, I didn't want to go crazy with millions of spots, just those 4 spots are what makes you keep focused and make more intelligent moves rather than having million of options to fuck up. If you need more than that EQ, you better check the source and tweak the amp sim or try a different cab impulse. Thanks for the tutorial Glenn, keep them going!! you have my upvote :P

[@jakobole]

A free alternative the C4 is TDR Nova - a dynamic EQ, so it works a little differently, but can do the same thing as shown here. My go-to-tool

[@marcozorich5691]

Thank you for your tips on tones and amp adjustments. I like the way you are right to the subject, no telling stories from you childhood or what you ate for lunch.

[@RockWeller]

Great tips Glenn! We are a Singapore based rock band and your tips have been helpful to us!

[@brandonadams5052]

I'm glad you made a video that's easily to comprehend and understand. I have a basic idea on what to do with guitars but never had a full understanding on what I was looking for.

[@adammays3128]

"Region of the Mud Zone" New Band Name

[@GoatMee]

here's a title for the debut album: Bottom End Mud Spill

[@resington]

Straight to the point, one of the better tutorials on vst guitar I've seen.

[@jeffschoonmaker]

This video is just the kind of thing that keeps my interest. Keep more of the technical videos coming G, this is what seperates the amateur and pro.

[@shizumaruofficial]

Mr Glenn, thanks for the compresser tip. First time adding it to my mixing master bus and sounds hella better now.

[@OrlandoAponte]

Glenn, I just want to thank you so much for all these excellent informative videos you make. You may not realize it, but by doing so you are reinvigorating the genre of metal as a whole. If your vids help X amount of people, that's X amount of people whose albums/tracks are going to sound much better than they would have if you did not exist. Consequently, the whole metal genre is improving as a result of your contributions. Thank you again

[@ObidiahGoldshekelsteinovitz]

Glenn, was thinking about this today. KZbin hacked my brain and advertised your video to me. Not sure why I missed it but again, you're the man Glenn.

[@querfisch]

This is by far one of the best videos I've seen on this channel! Thanks for sharing this

[@rouxeau14]

Awesome! I was getting frustrated with my guitar sound and then I came across this video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Cheers from Canada!

[@straconka43]

Thanks for the bus compressor setting. I'm learnign to mix and this is definitely one of the "wow" moments :)

[@razmigdemirjian6361]

Another very helpful tutorial

[@Kadotus]

Just click the _automix_ button! Tuoksuttele ulkosynnyttimiä, Glenn!

[@potatopeelerX]

So glad I stubmbled upon this video. I've been having issues with some harsh frequencies in the 3-4k range. I hear it in my car, but not in my headphones for some reason, and I am using Ignite Emissary into Lancaster Recto Cab IR's. I've been using the Channel strips on everything, but I'll have to try everything you mentioned here. Glue is the exact right term for that bus compressor. One of the best purchases I've made so far was getting the SSL-4000 bundle. That compressor really added something to my mixes that I didn't know was missing.

[@hooliganstreet]

Man the end mix sounded great. I'm trying to start learning a bit about recording and mixing and your videos really help me out. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

No problem! Happy to help!

[@astiachi]

Good job sponsoring Waves!

[@scorchedearthdj]

this is fantastic. i'm a total beginner and this was so informative. thank you!

[@KyleSevenoaks]

How I know I'm doing things right, Glenn does it too. Weight off my mind, thanks Glenn!

[@raysmetaltracks6782]

Thank you so F'ing much Glenn!! I ordered the C4 and followed your steps and already I can tell a huge difference in my tracks. I totally nerded out an took screen shots so I wouldn't forget next time! Also bought your IRs today, as well as the PRS Arcon (unfortunately I missed the sale, but $80 was still a great price considering its twice as cheap as the Revv pedal I also bought!). Thanks Glenn, this is really great stuff!!

[@andrewdeck7945]

WIDE BOOST NARROW CUT!!! dis is so right!!

[@realcarlspartacus]

Hi, thanks for this very understandable guide. For years I'd been searching for this. Here is Carl from Brazil, metal on.

[@WastelandBowman]

Can’t record live guitars in my apartment and haven’t got the gas money to go back and forth to the place I used to record. I picked up the Hellraiser from Audio Assault this week. This is helpful for me. Thank you.

[@jrfoster1980]

Wow - these techniques worked perfectly and I got rid of a LOT of mud from my guitars in the mix. The vocals sounded louder after this (guess cutting more because not clashing with the guitars anymore). Great tutorial, thanks!

[@ShadowReubenKee]

Super helpful! Also, when Glenn says to "punch it in and out" at 04:45, he means bypass the effect. Some new people may have missed that so just clarifying. ,\m/

[@co8544]

I saw this pop up and I'm like whoa! I need to see this! I forgot I even requested this haha. I am in fact using your IR packs, with the Emissary amp sim, but I think I may go the Archon route. Awesome video Glenn. Very helpful and cleared up alot of issues. Thanks! If I ever end up in Windsor or LA, I'll buy you a beer. Or 6. Cheers from Calgary. Edit- reading some of the comments, I see I wasn't the only one needing some guidance! Awesome! Doesn't that just make you all warm and fuzzy inside?

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Glad I could help!

[@monsterk7603]

Another fantastic, informative video. Love the more specific compression info. Definitely going to start using that asap! Thanks Glenn!

[@djrbfmbfm-woa]

most informative. thank you glenn.j.

[@StephenAntKneeBk5]

Another Frick'en great video. Thanks for all the useful advice and helpful insights, Glenn.

[@jromasterofone]

Glen, I thank you for what you do, man!

[@fraxyl]

I really liked the part where you said "here's the annoying frequency" but then you actually showed what frequency you meant and how it sounded. I've watched a lot of mix/eq tutorials where some guy is like 'you wanna find the annoying frequency and get rid of it' but then they leave it at a good ol mystery. Every EQ with narrow Q and high boost is gonna sound annoying!

[@Bp_mongoose]

This was incredibly useful, Glenn. I do this mostly as a hobby and there was a few things you mentioned to do that I simply don't. Thanks for the insight.

[@5urg3x]

Just my 0.02 here but I think the reason why these particular amp sims are so great is the way they do gain staging. It's unlike anything else I've used previously and you can REALLY get in there and adjust every single section to exactly what you're looking for.

[@12ealDealOfficial]

My problem is layering guitar tracks. I've heard that a lot of my favorite guitar tones were sextuple tracked with a blend between various amps and cabs miced and eq'd differently. This usually involved a rectifier, some kind of clean amp like a Fender, and a wildcard like a JSX (specifically with the paired Peavey cab). I've also heard the old Line 6 kidney bean still gets blended into tones as well for its characteristic, cutting top end.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

In this case, we did use a separate cabinet for the lead tone... and yes, blending cabs is dead simple with impulses.

[@Hexspa]

You probably figured this out but layering is the same as mixing: separate by frequency and time. If three of the same sounds are playing at the same time, the result is just louder. The more separation you create, the more distinct the sounds become. The key is deciding which goes where: the one with the sharpest transient goes first and the one with the brightest tone goes on top. Often, these are the same. You can also work backwards: let’s say you have a mushy rhythm guitar and want to make it sharper. If you layer, you can add a cleaner tone with more attack. Since attack transients are high-frequency by definition, you can use dynamics and EQ to separate the two layers in time and frequency making the sharper one higher. This also works with coherence. If you have a guitar with chorus then that might blend with a dry tone in a complimentary way. This is related to stereo in that the sides information is what’s different between the two speakers. A chorused guitar can be wide and a dry one narrow. This is more of a mid-side approach that’s more common to EDM but it’ll work nonetheless.

[@BBDRUMS28]

I got your IR pack about 2-3 weeks ago. I love the Coffee and ENGL cabs. Cheers Glenn.

[@werewolf7696]

Awesome info as always Glenn!

[@simonjoudon]

Thanks for really grabbing us beginners by the hand. This video really just preaches at us metalheads, who are looking to get into home recording, incredibly useful stuff man!

[@gonebymidnight2881]

This is GOLD man, something I would suggest is adding subtle saturation at the end lf the track. I’m using Softube Dirty Tape which I got for free. I also sometimes add more saturation before the amp sim, something like Neold Big Al works well there.

[@ajn2747]

Very helpful. Thanks, Glen! Requesting a Guitar Rig tutorial on metal guitar/bass.

[@5urg3x]

I got the email from Lancaster and bought the PRS SuperPack from Waves, even though I don't like Waves as a company, the amp sim pack is absolutely phenomenal. For the price you get SO much, 8 different cabinet IRs, plus three diff PRS amps. I bought it mainly for the Archon but the Dallas is INSANE as well, it has a Victory like sound to it, and I'm getting incredible Marshall Plexi esque lead tones out of it. PS, there's a 10% off coupon that you can use, just Google it.

[@Citizen_J]

was just about to start on a mix using amp sims, and saw this. Although I use them on a regular basis, its great to take a look at an approach which might be different, and likely to be better than what I am doing. Perfect timing Glenn!

[@anhedonia0]

Should just call that the Andy sneak technique. I miss the good ol Andy Sneap forum days.

[@ovidiui]

Clear and simple. Thank you mister! I want to see more videos like this.

[@MarkHolden73]

Finally got round to catching up with some of your Vids Glenn and this one is a great help not just for amp sims but Gtr's in general. Thanks and Cheers.

[@slamrahovart9024]

You just helped me clean up my lead sound so much

[@Christopherjazzcat]

Your tutorials are a super useful resource. Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Happy to help!

[@davidlamothe2942]

One thing I worry about with boosting the 1000-1200 area in the rhythm guitars isn't so much the "quacky" tone but that, even if it sounds good by itself, it might obscure or walk all over the lead guitars, or cause a lot of noise buildup in that frequency range. But maybe I need to experiment more. Good vid, man!

[@Demithrium]

Watched today again and got some good advises. Thank you!

[@eddypalogrande]

Think you could guide us through building/making an IR cabinet impulse? Thanks Glenn!

[@strike_true]

Thanks Glenn, great vid as always. Your videos have helped me learn recording and mixing far better than my current audio production teacher. He’s one of those, “We can use auto tune to fix up some vocal parts,” kind of guys. So I basically have just tuned him out after that, and do the projects in my own studio. I mix and record with your advice, and so far am getting As across the board. 👍

[@AMB666]

One of the best videos ever on this channel! Great job. Your guitar related videos are great anyway.

[@CarloFenrir]

Finally someone is talkimg about this in depth! Very useful, Glenn!

[@dexterj5615]

Interesting seeing the difference in peoples approaches. If i remember correctly Dave Otero was talking about hard scooping 1-1.2k to elimate pick sound

[@TimOost]

Great tip on HP the solo more rigorously, I recently saw a video on someone also low passing the solo! What?! Yeah it gave him more headroom to crank up the volume even further and it worked!

[@KapaDeFreitas]

Man! This is great! I'm not even in to metal, but I got this on the waves mailing list and absolutely loved the way you explain things! Thank you so much for all the knowledge passed on in this video. Subscribed!

[@DragonFlopp]

I like that C4 trick on the palm mutes. I'll have to try that out!

[@Dariovictorblk]

This video is fucking Gold Glenn. Thank you very much. Had never seen a producer rock harder than the musicians lol

[@HERNANFERNANDEZMD]

Yeah! This video is at the top of useful tutorials regarding metal guitars edition!!

[@stringsofchaos5312]

Thank you pal. This was super helpful. I've always struggled with leads. They've always sounded so sharp, and ripped my eardrums out. Great content.

[@mikeorsomethin]

Went and bought the waves prs pack, really great sounding software

[@RTPowellMusic]

I'm just getting started in the world of recording and mixing and this has been a massive help for me! Thank you Glenn!

[@AdamRainStopper]

This is going to sound crazy, and you are going to think I am making an amateur mistake, but I have had nothing but negative experiences with "mix glue" compression. I have found, for whatever reason, that I simply can't find a setting on any compressor (including some amazing vintage leveling amplifiers that I've used) that works for an entire mix. It seems to be the guitars that get fucked up. My workaround for this is that I will mix everything until it sounds good, then take out the guitars, run everything but the guitars through a stereo compressor, and print a new track, a complete stereo mix sans-guitars, then add the guitars back in with that. This has allowed me to make everything in the mix pop without fucking up the guitars, and I can be a lot more aggressive with it then I could if it was going on on the guitars as well.

[@Quietistooquiet]

Thanks for the great video. I used your link and bought 4 of the Waves Plug Ins, including the ones you used here.

[@horowizard]

Good tutorial. Basic and elementary but succinct and to the point.

[@morganyabeny6248]

Thanks Glenn. I was having trouble mixing my guitars

[@tritriren]

The multiband compression is cool for palm muted parts but it works very well to duck down the mids in rythm guitars when the lead comes in.

[@aidandemaria4734]

Always a massive help with my production, Glenn. Big thanks 🎸

[@de_vega]

Awesome vid as always, Glenn! This one is super helpful!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Glad to help!

[@gmod8033]

Awesome glen just what i needed dude

[@BrianBower]

I learned to mix all the rhythm guitars on one bus track. It's these little things that make a huge difference.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Indeed! HUGE time saver!

[@mikaelhauk]

This was very informative! I hope you do a part 2 of this track where you show how you deal with drums and bass.

[@gothnev]

Great video Glenn! Very clear and concise, and exactly what i needed to know! \m/

[@queentantrumofficial]

This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@ParaEquinox]

this will sure help much, about the total Buss Compressor, I've been setting it differently, for sure I'll try it your way as well

[@metal_helm]

it's simple, but i LOVE this thrash riff. It's beautiful

[@lodougherty]

Yeah. You definitely don't want quacky guitars like the gear gods intro. Lololol

[@metal_helm]

while i love Glenn's sound, I also love gear gods intro sound. very metallic sounding

[@acidbath3226]

replace that celestion with a jenson or an eminence

[@petermuller161]

Pssh yeah! Gear Gods!

[@eternalism8274]

🎸🦆

[@rampancyatmidnight2412]

Fantastic video! I would love to see you revisit the "How to mix metal guitars " videos, as I feel your channel has come a long way since then and I can't keep watching the same ones over and over! 😉 Even the wife is pretty aware of how to mix an amp I've played em so much! Keep up the good work man and digging the death note shirt tucked away there.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

That’s amazing! Glad to hear her skills have increased!

[@magneticintrusion]

Hey there young man. Thanks for another great, informative video. You really know how to help old guys like me (and others) sound better!!!

[@woodward_alan]

This vid is so helpful. Thanks for being where I go to find useful things.

[@ryanhoward3028]

Good god, this video is a lifesaver.

[@zwb2008]

I love these tutorials. Please keep them coming

[@mindscrub]

Glenn, THANK YOU! Great tutorial!

[@BeneathVultures]

Thanks as always, Glenn. Great tip compressing the palm mutes only. That's always been a frustrating freq range for me when recording.

[@usta028]

this just took my guitar mix from regular to great sounding, the lancaster IR's also boosted my tone!

[@SalAvenueNJ]

I have the positive grid amp sim software. Would getting the package with all the extra speaker options worth it ?

[@brylner]

Very educational and great videos Glenn. Keep it up dude. Heavy Metal rules!!!!!!