Why My Presets Sound Different When You Play Them

Huge thanks to ‪@paulbradshawguitar‬ for his help with this video.
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00:00 - Overview
01:02 - Clip 1
01:28 - Clip 2
01:52 - Clip 3
02:29 - Thoughts
04:15 - Clip 1 Redux
04:42 - More Thoughts
07:08 - Lean Into It

[@paulbradshawguitar]

a huge huge thanks Leon 🙏 for the shout out and collaboration on this, was a lot of fun to do and certainly hasn't helped the GAS for a Prs DGT 😄 when the gain was bumped to compensate with my strat, things were definitely a bit closer on the AC/DC riff, very cool to hear the differences side by side the ibanez definitely has a hi-mid peak going/super hi output pickups, probably further accentuated by how i was bashing the strings, if/when i get a DGT we can revisit 😄 if anyone is wondering on the guitars i was using/signal chain : Guitar --> Cordial CSI-PP silent cable Countryman type 85 DI --> RME Babyface Pro interface into DAW (Reaper) Guitars: Ibanez RGDIX6PB - Haussel Tozz XL B bridge pickup // Dunlop The Wedge .88mm pick 'Chipocaster, partscaster , Suhr DSV (i think!) in the bridge - BHL wizard 1.6mm ergo pick

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Paul it looks like YT thought my “mahalo” hand gesture was spam and removed my comment. Trying again using my words. 🎸😊🤙🏼

[@lyricbread]

Thank you for your contribution Paul!

[@paulbradshawguitar]

@@lyricbread thanks 🙏

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Heck, my own presets sound wildly different depending on context! Wouldn’t it be a shame if we all sounded exactly alike? Cheers guys, Daniel

[@martin-mz2dv]

That sleeveless t will add 6bd of gain

[@LeonTodd]

The secret is out!

[@peterharvin2775]

When I think of the number of variables involved in sound and tone reproduction, I can't imagine that it wouldn't have differences. When I first did production work for live gigs, I was amazed how much just a change in atmospheric conditions could affect PA EQ curves. Like you said, need more gain? Turn the knob up.

[@tofrancis]

I remember reading and commenting on a thread on this topic on the forum. It was a pleasure to see two great guitarists in one video. thank you *When ac/dc's guitar riffs played alternately, I forgot the subject of the video for a moment and waited for the drum sound to come in. 😉 Then, as the screen split into left and right, I imagined leon on the left and paul on the right playing together.🤘🤘

[@BobGuido]

Great lesson Leon on the importance of musicians becoming beguiling in their own way.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Between the variances in listening devices combined with KZbin compression, I can't imagine me playing through your settings would sound anything like you.

[@jessenicholson1777]

The Skies Limit example is pretty much exactly my exact experience with Leon’s patches. They always seemed way brighter to me on my own guitars. I feel like the SC245 is a big factor here. Would be interesting to see Leon play the same riffs back to back on different guitars.

[@SJMKS.0]

The hotness of the pickups also have a factor, ive found adjusting the guitar volume knob can help

[@claudetoybox]

Of course everything starts with the hands. I notice that when I download presets from people such as Leon Todd or Copper Carter who use their studio monitors for their presets (Adam Ax7 for Todd I believe and the Genelec monitors for Cooper) they translate very toppy at my end. But it's in the hands first. I can have a mate at my house and he plays my guitar through all my gear and it sounds different, let alone on different speakers from KZbin and through the internet. Great video as usual Todd!

[@picksalot1]

Pretty close to start, but very close with the 6dB of gain added to the input. If trying to exactly match a tone on different gear, some type of EQ Matching software could be a good solution.

[@r.llynch4124]

Thank God we all sound a bit different even playing the same exact settings. I never expect to sound like Leon because I don't play the same it's just that simple. Thanks Leon, excellent points.

[@Keplerf-vn2ld]

I love your stuff Leon. The reality of musicians since forever is that everyone is looking for a magick pill. The truth is that pill has been around since always, it's called good and consistent practice.

[@lyricbread]

This video needs to be pinned at the top of every Digital Modeling forum for reference. Well done guys!

[@djabthrash]

Paul Bradshaw has a great YT channel.

[@paulbradshawguitar]

thanks 🙏

[@RyanMaziarz]

I feel like a lot of this is in the picking hand technique - on the Skies Limit riff Paul is playing a lot harder with a much bigger motion than Leon uses. I bet the pick material and thickness is also part of it.

[@paulbradshawguitar]

i was certainly bashing the strings a bit mainly downpicking as well (0.88mm pick) all adds up for sure

[@georgeangelakopoulos8884]

Awesome conclusions! So mole but helps a lot!

[@LeonTodd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@archangelguitarsusa9205]

I downloaded your Mesa MK8 preset when I first got my Axefx III and actually liked it better through my guitar than it sounds in the video so that worked out great in my case lol

[@LeonTodd]

Hahaha winning!

[@TheToneWork]

Pickups, gain and touch. It's why I love guitar. So responsive. The tip about iso tracks is great. I am constantly surprised by how the iso tracks sound as apposed to the mix.

[@2550marshall]

Cool vid Leon! I use to always wonder why when I played another guys rig it always seems like other guys use more gain than I do. I use to think it was just that I pick harder. After watching other guys on youtube it has become clearer now. I pick (presumably not right) holding the pick between my thumb and index finger but stretched out toward the neck. Watch Ola Englund, almost identical to the way I do it. The picking attack more toward the neck is going to be a bit bassier and louder. In this vid it looked like you and Paul pick very similar. It would be interesting to see a vid where you do the same but with Ola. I bet the differences would be even more. Tone is truly in the hands, I think.

[@LeonTodd]

This!

[@jamiehamilton7568]

Great video Leon. So many factors in the chain - even either side of everything going on inside the modeller. Can you please post the files for the 3D models of your fingertips :)

[@LeonTodd]

:p

[@guitaristus]

Leon best )

[@d-mack7053]

@LeonTodd With the different guitars I could hear a very slight difference and on that PRS I could hear finger sliding on the strings.

[@shaharbar]

I took all my favorite players, chucked them in a blender, and it was VERY messy!

[@temorinkaari]

Pickups and/or pickup height seem to have an impact. Also not entirely sure how the guitar recording works via axefx, but to me it seems like Leon has guitar imput gain slightly higher than the guy. Even the slightest change in input volume makes a huge difference, and the default should always be set to 0 on audio interface (again, not sure how that works via axe-fx specifically). I think i noticed this a while ago when trying some presets out, i had to increase the input gain on my plugins a bit more than Leon to get closer

[@bub2010]

I thought they sounded dang close. Before I even really turned it up I noticed single coil on the other guys guitar was just less hot and you compensated. But yea the difference mostly on any identical rig is gonna be all of the OTHER variables you mentioned. An EVH patch can help someone sound closer to Eddie's tone, but you still have to bring 75+ % of the playing accuracy to make it sound believable.

[@paulbradshawguitar]

there's so many variables before you even reach the actual fractal unit (hands/pick/strings/pickups) so there's a lot of things going on the ac dc riff was definitely closer with a gain boost, that's a DSV Humbucker i had in the bridge of the strat, it sort of made me miss my SG i used to own 😄 but i digress

[@DropDee44]

The first preset sounds absolutely fantastic! Is the preset available somewhere? Would love to have that as a starting point :D

[@LeonTodd]

I did a video matching the Fractal to a 1977 Marshall JMP on here recently, it's that preset!

[@DropDee44]

@@LeonTodd Thank you so much, will definitely check that one out, mate! :D

[@Taylor___]

To be fair, the way your guitar is set up makes a big difference.

[@Taylor___]

I think the reason it sounds different, you’re recording it directly and we people play them at home, you don’t know what speakers people are using. If I downloaded one of your patches I’d just use it as a platform and then tweak. Personally I like a bit more gain and bass but I suspect your live sound is designed to fit in the mix perfectly

[@PabloSanchez-ox6ze]

Excellent video as always Leon but the difference between the sound of your presets and mine using the same settings as you with a Charvel using a Seymour Duncan JB is so different. I use an FM3 and my sounds are never sharp and always very dark. I've searched the Fractal Audio forum and watched so many videos without ever finding the answer :(

[@rockstarjazzcat]

The FM3 can make ridiculously bright and or sharp sounds, so “always very dark” sounds weird to me. Spend some time with the PEQ block? Cheers.

[@peterknicked]

Most obvious is that the PRS is much darker than his strat or his Ibanez.

[@pwnEdge1]

AC/DC with a 5 string 🤔😂,I think the sounds were very close . Just like when you try to learn your favorite songs , even if you have the same guitar and amp, you can get close but your not going to sound like them completely. Remember the story of Ted Nugent playing though Eddie rig 😎

[@LeonTodd]

The "reverse Keef" :p

[@MikeC-cm7pc]

This is so true, but Presets are meant to be templates, of course it will never sound the same, it's not only the players, but it's also your monitoring, your room acoustics, pickups, strings, picks craft your tones to taste, use presets as a template or foundation building block

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

But a Strat is single coil and Les Paul is humbucker, it's obviously going to be different.

[@paulbradshawguitar]

true, it was a humbucker in the bridge of the strat but those would be big differences

[@theprisonier]

If someone tells you, you put too much gain and effect. « Censored » him !!!!! I will make the body disappear

[@LeonTodd]

All the gain all the time

[@mtguitar5150]

I've bought hundreds of dollars worth of IRs alone, never once, NOT ONCE, did it sound like I thought it would. Creators know they should sweeten up the tone in post if they want people engaged, unfortunately that results in false advertising. And no, a $400 pickup upgrade is not going to save the day.

[@baronvongrimm4780]

If your going to talk about this... then tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Your still being less than honest Ragman. That right, you've dialed in your preset to a particular guitar. But your not telling the rest of the story. The rest of the story...Ragman. This story explains a inanimate object. What are you doing... is something your not admitting to? What if you shipped me your guitar and I had your preset? That's what your saying this is about.... but it's more than that. If I took your guitar and recorded myself on my cell phone... posted it to youtube... and ran a comparison against your youtube video... they won't sound the same. Would you like to elaborate on this or is thier some shame you feel? Your not talking about this because you feel shameful? Or does exposing your enhancements dilute the objective of self income? All the plug-in's your applying to your video's. Reverb, compression.... and the many more plug-in's, filters, mastering the audio. Radio quality sound. Your creating presets, using a distinctive guitar, and then your mastering the audio. Nobody would want to buy your preset if you recorded it on your phone because it would sound like poo. Right Ragman. I'm not interested in doing business with anyone that is less than honest.

[@LeonTodd]

There's no post processing on any of this. The only enhancements I need are the ones the emails in my spam folder keep offering up...something about length and girth?

[@baronvongrimm4780]

@LeonTodd Me too Ragman... But your plug-in's certainly shape what it sounds like. Ok... so your not mastering the audio. But certainly your using plug-in's which are adding color.

[@LeonTodd]

As per my previous response, there's no post processing on this. No extra plugins. No secret sauce. No tonal viagra. @@baronvongrimm4780

[@baronvongrimm4780]

@LeonTodd thanks for clarifying. I'm not well versed in all this stuff. I just heard Pete Thorn state in his videos that he uses tools to create his videos to create a professional quality sound. Talked about compression and other stuff he was vague about. And I've heard people talk about plug-in's. And my question would not specifically be directed to this video but any other past videos you might have done which you were showcasing your presets. Your vids are pretty professional..imo. Got some good guitar skills too

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks mate. It varies from person to person and it's definitely not always transparent. @@baronvongrimm4780