The Truth About Heavy Guitar Tones

Joey shows you how to get a huge guitar tone using the bass and kick to give the context you need in your mix. What tricks do you use to get the biggest rhythm guitars in your mixes? Let us know in the comments!
0:00 Introduction
0:35 Balance
1:17 EQ
2:51 Tone
3:43 Automation
7:15 Closing thoughts
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Tags:home recording,audio production,mixing tutorials
#homerecording #audioproduction #mixingtutorials

[@ghastlyshimmer]

To the video editor that makes this easy to follow. We see you.

[@AHmusic]

thank you 💙

[@mattirwin6089]

Joeys editor and graphic designer is a god amongst men.

[@fcshadow5793]

Yep.

[@hler7576]

Editing is an art. How people can remember to follow all these little intricacies is mind blowing to me.

[@matenorth]

Mixing is art, editing is just a very small part of it.

[@phantasma669]

Editing is necessary evil

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

@@phantasma669 nothing evil about it- IF the editor is good. Otherwise it’s like giving an ape a gun.

[@YAWN....]

​@@BradsGonnaPlay in other words giving an american a gun...

[@CellarStudioProductions]

I find it amazing how much of modern metal tones is actually the bass part.

[@TheKingacevedo]

So true. I noticed this while listening to Starset. I'd love to see a quick demo how they record and mix their tracks.

[@benpowell5348]

@@TheKingacevedocan second with starset. it varies song to song, but in trying to replicate the sound from Ricochet, i realized the real secret was the bass and honestly the thing that made the most difference was including a chorused saw synth playing octaves. it gives that warm blanket you don't get with the guitars alone. plus, by aggressively sidechaining the saw to the kick or just pumping every beat, you can give the rhythm tons of power without lowering guitars at all

[@musicinsession]

This was hands down the BEST and I stress THE BEST video I've seen on youtube about the dynamics between guitar/bass/kick. So many people try to explain but Joey just nailed it! Thanks I really learned a lot with just 8 mins of golden content!

[@mattwhite399]

When it’s a Joey video, you better strap in. A whole ton of gold is about to come at you at light speed!

[@ryanfishel9394]

Another super helpful video from JST. Thanks, guys! Loved how you kept the first half rudimentary but then bumped up it up to more advanced techniques in the second half. Goodies for everyone.

[@Victorhalldin]

this video changed everything for me 1 year ago. Its just so perfectly explained. Good job

[@ibanezrg320fm]

I think this is exactly what I had always been looking for and didn't know it. This was done in such a simple way that allowed me to learn. Seriously, thank you for making this video!

[@lightartorias552]

Idk who edited the video, but this is honestly one of the most straight forward and easy to follow tutorials that I’ve seen on KZbin. Will be subbing! Thank you for quality content and information.

[@gabrielalbertogarcia4356]

Best metal mixing video I've seen on yt. Will be coming back to this vid for sure for the more advanced tips.

[@lucarav]

love the speed, accuracy and details :-) THANK YOU!

[@boyreporter]

One of the best mixing videos I've ever seen. A lot to think about and try.

[@ragemagpali2399]

Exactly what I needed! Thank you JST!

[@matenorth]

This is the most informative video i ve watched on the subject. Lots of info without the '' series " syndrome where you have to watch 20 videos with unnecessary details.

[@reptalien_music]

Been validating many of these very points myself in the past months. Best video I've seen in a long time.

[@noahmaxwell2615]

Very infomative and encouraging. Thank you!

[@brunodelcarpio]

such a well made video. touched on so many good points that many others dont. thank you!

[@marcorodriguez7694]

These videos help out like crazy!!

[@themonotropicguitarist]

The wisdom contained in this video is invaluable. My mix just underwent an extreme transformation thanks to what I learned here. THANK YOU

[@philz600]

this was really helpful! Kudos to you!

[@matt.k_AE]

Thanks for the awesome tips! Found this video today by accident. I was searching for years after something like that!

[@kryme]

This is pure gold! I like information like that when I'm hearing it I'm like "oh yeah, of course, that makes total sense"!

[@treewisemenllc7281]

Great content, man. It's those fine little details that bring it all together 🤘

[@Steve-jy5xi]

Pure Gold!! Thank you for that!

[@playlandmusic]

this is a great video and not something i would have thought of! Thank you

[@DrProgNerd]

Great pointers. Thank you.

[@TheVato96]

Awesome vid 🤘

[@neonyves]

im just getting into heavy guitar tones, i appreciate this a lot!!

[@nenntmichbond]

lovely video all in all! appreciated

[@falseendings7460]

I've learned so much from just this one video idk why I haven't binged everything on this channel yet just subbed its in my to do list now thank you for this priceless information Joey

[@Eurodrummer666]

This video helped me to double check my mixes. Thank you.

[@joseferro1432]

Thank you for the informative video. Excellent!

[@kodawari2922]

huge thanks !

[@destot_cl]

Amazing video! Thanks a lot!

[@aaronhachez9927]

Thanks for this was a great break down. 🤘

[@xhefohmarts8210]

Dude this was a really great one! The eq space for guitars bass and kick is something I just experiment with but if Joey has starting point recommendations Im def trying in my next metal song. Def gonna try those automation tips too such gems man too. Thanks.

[@heikohesse4666]

super cool - best easy short tip video ever 😎 thanks

[@evanlee93]

This just helped me mix and EQ one of my songs, thanks

[@Still-Cousins-VOVA]

This video is very informative Thanx!

[@NonnyStrikes]

WITHIN THE RUINS....... by far is my favorite production. Unreal what they accomplish with levels/layers. They are my standard and the hard work achieving that sound has paid off immensely!

[@zenwarfare70]

Great video. I learned a lot !

[@SHARt_murmur]

Great vid, thanks!

[@resington]

You nailed it all man as always.

[@ErikAnders]

Great video Joey 💪🏽

[@parliamentofpower]

Awesome video. That relationship between guitars and bass stuck out to me the first time from Breaking Benjamin's album Dear Agony. Rhythm section in unison is like a huge fat wall, but if you subtract the bass you are surprised how little comes from the guitars. And that thing with less gain is oh so true. I am currently working on a mid tempo modern rock tune, and I use (emulations on the Axe Fx III) a JCM800 and a Fender Bassman for the rhythm guitars, quite cranked but without a pedal in front, and it sounds heavier than anything I ever did with high gain amps like Engls or 5150s.

[@joristimmermans5058]

Biggest tone I ever achieved (by accident, I was a moron back then) was a JCM800 2204 at about mid gain, no boost, mids all the way up. The *right* part and bass guitar made that insane.... Have not really been able to replicate that, I should give it a go!

[@nathanemery9955]

Your a legend man. Such a good video.

[@zaeda84]

woa, just learned something new! hahaha. Hopefully be able to apply this if ever i'm making music. Thanks!!!!

[@voronOsphere]

Thanks, Joey!

[@silesia93]

this is so helpful!!!!

[@Maxischupp93]

earned a follow right there

[@bujarbejta]

I will definitely save this video. Cool

[@jaywagner6157]

Loved the old school synths!

[@LeeJoRo]

My method was to make all instruments sound like 1 instrument. This pretty much explains everything with more depth. Thankyou

[@ITzRobertoBRO]

I literally just asked about this on another one your posts 🙏

[@mattirwin6089]

Joeys editor and graphic designer is a god amongst men.

[@mattirwin6089]

Unless he just goes it himself lol

[@proddreamatnight]

Let's fucking go, god I wish I had these videos 5 years ago

[@GeoffPlaysGuitar]

Love this. Been trying to explain this all the time

[@garycsims]

Holy shit it’s Geoffrey Day

[@Gregorfriday]

Reeeeeally good video. Thanks!

[@x6x745]

with that great video you win my subscribe for sure...

[@christhembones8244]

Best video I’ve seen with mixing metal EQ frequencies. I wonder how much difference hard rock frequencies from metal would be?

[@matheusbrant666]

this is gold....

[@pathfinder_official1526]

Really nice vid, sometimes we overlook the basics

[@jordanmontoya7386]

i love you for this

[@michaelrichardson8343]

Brilliant…thanks!!!!

[@Nicholas-Santiago]

Amazing tutorial, love the wall of sound approach. What is that song at the end? Also curious about the songs used for demoing these techniques!

[@enzojacobsen4349]

This video helped a lot! I have noticed you do lots of editing in music, can you do stuff on maybe more natural sounding music, like death metal?

[@lianpohn]

Thanks!!

[@joshmiller5374]

I always like to get my drum balance with all my samples and everything in, then bring in a bass tone and then do my guitar tones. The more context the better the tone will fit the song

[@cataltepe]

I've learned a lot of your videos, thanks for making these videos for us :D BUT I CAN'T FIGURE OUT how you make the gradient look on your tracks?? Could you share how your settings are to get those gradients so smooth? Anf how you change the gradient colors so easily? :) I've figured out how I can add gradients with the SWS-tools for reaper, but not change the colors of the gradient and deciding the color range etc.

[@alrecks619]

in a nutshell : balancing, eq, and AUTOMATION. i'm somehow guilty of not using enough automation which doesn't help with what i'm trying to achieve lol. Great tips as always, Joey!

[@MaitreduMal]

Wow the automation part between the EQ sidechained with an expander... and yes Bass is 65% of the guitar sound in metal! took me years to realize that..😉

[@stephenchow5161]

great tips

[@edelcorrallira]

Personally I love the power trio setup. You can make your bass straddle the line between bari and stamdard bass, and leave a lot of room in your guitar. It's a relentless assault, just listen to Blue Cheer... Yeah I know Motorhead is the ultimate metal trio but personally I like the Bluecheer guitar better (Lemmy however, cant be beat) Anyway, all of this changes if you have 2 or more guitars of course thats why the trio can be so fun

[@MrVagedes]

2nd time watching, brojangles. Won't be the last! Thanks for helping us old dudes sound a little cooler!

[@Tsudkyk]

This is the best video I have seen on mixing metal guitars. I usually stop in the comments to add some extra information not covered, but this video does a great job covering the basics from start to finish. I love the visuals in this edit as well! Killer job!

[@Tsudkyk]

I guess the only thing I would add is that the guitar player should know the frequency spectrum of their guitar using their specific tuning. Knowing this spectrum can help inform the musician which frequencies they should be cutting or boosting.

[@danmenez]

Thank you Joey... Seriously...

[@drdubios]

That Picture of the eq`s in the beginning is so hepfull. I wish i had mor of those pictures from different genres. I know that it depends on the audiosignal but it is still more helpfull than Artists talking hours.

[@theAshesofDecember1]

I imagine I’m still throwing in too much gain overall. Such a hard habit to break going from a live tone to something that can translate in a recording space

[@ITzRobertoBRO]

My issue with gain seems to be that if I cut it down, my palm mutes sound weak

[@theinfant]

@@ITzRobertoBRO I had that problem! A trick I liked using to get around it is to compress the DI before it went through the amp. Worked most of the time :)

[@ITzRobertoBRO]

@@theinfant good tip, I'll look into that, also, do you have a suggestion about harsh frequencies? I.e. if I cut the higher frequency out I seem to make the tracks "dull" but if I leave them in, my mix seems very hissy All in all I'm shooting for the Mick Gordon and Andromida tone but struggling desperately to retain high end without it hissing it's brains out

[@theinfant]

@@ITzRobertoBRO I think some people like to cut down to about 8k because you don't really need those frequencies on high gain guitars, however I usually just shelve it down to leave room for airyness in vocals and cymbals and stuff, but try playing around with your cab settings, they can be super important for getting the tone how you want it

[@ITzRobertoBRO]

@@theinfant appreciate the response broham I look into it

[@jedigarrett142]

i always quad track my guitars for the chorus and then double track for the verses and maybe breakdown if i put one in my instrumental

[@NicolasRouxx]

So helpfull thank you so much for this. Which DAW are you using for the clips ? Thanks

[@deadmaydie]

I've been experimenting lately with lowering the subs on the guitar instead of just cutting them off. Keeps it heavy. ;-)

[@OurWorldinChaos]

ok quick question i love this vid by the way. in the event the drum track comes to you as a whole where you cannot seperate the kick to eq what would be best senario?

[@donraccoon6316]

Amazing! What type of guitar is playing in the end of the video? It sounds really great 🥺

[@pattysmusic524]

This video showed me I know nothing about mixing still I guess. I usually do a huge boost in the low frequencies of the kick. I still have the bass live above it but I dont do boosts much where he showed and I think I might be cutting too much guitar with high pass.

[@facepalmjesus1608]

panning is also important element for the guitars

[@Steinjung]

Excellent. The guitar is sometimes even very "thin" and not fat at all. But with great kicks and bass, it can destroy ears 😜

[@martinemesguitar]

Yeah the big low end that you get from a les paul sounds great solo but mostly gets removed in a mix.

[@necroticpoison]

I get that having a HPF on rhythm guitars that comes up to 150Hz is fairly standard in modern metal, but for anyone that's playing different genres of metal (thrash, death, groove, nu, etc.), a multi-band compressor on the low end of the rhythm guitars and a steel HPF set to 75-95Hz is generally enough. If you want guitars with a hard low end (hard to describe), combining a HPF with a reasonably thin boost at around 66-77Hz (and bringing it up to just below the rest of the track on the EQ display) will give it a massive and thick sound. Just don't go overboard with it and make sure that you are cleaning out some other parts in that place, as the 50-100Hz range can get very cluttered with more than 2 instruments in the range. I would say you would also want to cut around the 115-175Hz region on the guitars to make range for the bass. If you have a good kick-bass relationship, this is a great place to boost. It makes the mix sound punchy and thick, and make's it easier to hear the bass guitar (especially if you're boosting around the 130-225Hz range).

[@ericvalverderosado2046]

Man all good…but how do i dial a guitar tone before all of this…to get some ideas and get inspired i need to play some stuff on guitar before i go with bass and drums…how can you dial a complete guitar tone with plug-ins to play along with? I get the chain: noise gate, OD, Amp, IR loaded and then EQ…but then what else?

[@misesification]

One of the songs used in this video is from The band atack atack - all my Life

[@holorn1280]

Gold

[@gerardolandaeta9826]

The kick went upper than -6 dbs, it looks like cliping, What about gain staging? is it OK to do that?

[@SamuraiGuy]

I would have added some sub-bass synth to reinforce the rest of the sound. It's hard to do much better than a bass guitar in live settings, but real sustained sound under 100Hz is what makes a produced song hit.

[@shdsky]

what's the name of the outro song?

[@tarasolegov356]

okay Joey, but what about a snare? If I want a fat down-pitched snare, what can I do besides sidechaining? Where is the power of snare - in the lowest reverb?

[@fcasoqueiroz]

How can I have your reaper configs? The way you automate volumes by simply selecting an area and clicking it, the way you drag your screen horizontally.. How can I do it???

[@metalheadblues]

Amazing

[@CorbenEdward]

My trick is layering up to 16 times with 8 different fuzz pedals, then quad tracking rhythms through 2 dirty, but not heavy tones and topping it off with heavily compressed clean guitars soaked in chorus. Then after all that I mix the groups and group it all into one, then treat as one track with the kick & bass. Totally over the top, but sounds big.

[@whaleguy]

Sometimes, more is more 😁

[@adraticofficial]

I plug in my guitar to the focusrite then to computer but get unwanted noise Why?!?!

[@LIKEFUNK]

I don't listen with my eyes, that job is done with my ears only thanks!

[@lilyrodriguez1490]

Does jst still do mix critiques ?