Inspiration on recording guitar.

[Atari]

I don't really know if this is the right place to ask, but ..
Tomorrow I'm recording guitar for a heavy punk rock - like band. I would like to know how you people would record something like this. I 'm using protools HD with C|24. My mics: sm57, e604, e609, TLM103, Blue baby bottle, C414, KM184. I also could use some tips for áfter the recording.

[enharmonic]

What kind of punk rock...the real stuff, or that crap on the radio that they call punk rock these days?

Two different approaches IMO...and what do you mean by "inspiration"...performance, or recording techniques?

[max cooper]

1) Listen to Never Mind the Bollocks

2) Purge studio of all references to ELP and Yes.

3) Listen to Never Mind the Bollocks, but louder

7) Get the amp off the ground

5) Feel free to experiment with mics, but be prepared to go with a 57 if things aren't sounding right.

11) Listen to the Ramones (self titled) and Rocket to Russia followed by N.M.t.Bollocks

7) Stick a safety pin thru the amp's speaker(s), find bass amp, repeat...

9) Listen to The Jam; In The City...repeat...

13) If the guitarist is too "technique-y", have him stick his right hand in the ice chest for five minutes before each take. AND NO UPSTROKES!!!!

21) Guitar solos should be the same as the rhythm part, but just one note instead of the chord.

19) Remember, slapback, not reverb!

uhhh....what comes after nineteen?


IMVVHO, punk is one of those styles that when done right, is timeless. It's rarely done right, though.


Oh yeah, if there are gonna be backing vox, a good reference is "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" by the Clash.

[gogo]

20) No Beat Detective, Sound Replacer or Auto-Tune.

Punk is attitude, not perfection.

[max cooper]

That's it, I'm starting a band called:

Otto Tune and the Beat Detectives


yeah, though seriously, don't forget attitude. Do stuff like having the drummer overdub the snare part on the dumpster.

[Atari]

This is great! Thanx for the replys.
The band is in between "the real stuff" wich I think you mean is punk like sex pistols, ramones,dead kennedys,.. and this shit on the radio. The guys, just like me, are inspired by the real stuff but also by other things and try to make their own thing, like I think it should. I think it's really difficult to make it sound dirty without becoming messy. Still I'm gonna try.
Thanx Max for the tips, I'll print it out and put it up in the studio.
Maybe you guys have some mic-setups and/or combinations/techniques that often work so I can try these. Every suggestion is welcome!

[Bogner]

Real Punk Rock

Rancid, Drop Kick Murphys, that's punk IMO.

What type of amp/cabinet are you recording?

[Atari]

I'm not a guitar player(that's also what makes it so hard for me). I can choose between a marshal JCM with a1960 cab, a Brunetti XL-Revo with Brunetti cab, or a Peavey 5050(is that right) with a peavey cab.

[Drumsound]

Punk Rock guitars:

Put dynamic mics neat speakers. Move them if they don't sound good...

Enjoy!

[Bogner]

Originally posted by Atari
I'm not a guitar player(that's also what makes it so hard for me). I can choose between a marshal JCM with a1960 cab, a Brunetti XL-Revo with Brunetti cab, or a Peavey 5050(is that right) with a peavey cab.

Just try all of the amps, depending on the kind of speakers in the cab (Vintage 30) I would start with the Marshall. Just my opinion. Experiment with mic placement, usually brighter at the center of the speaker. There is no right or wrong way, experiment and you will know when it sounds right. Like Tony said, place the mic close to the speaker. I usually start as close to the speaker as I can get it with out touching the grill cloth if it has one.

[warhead]

Originally posted by Drumsound
Punk Rock guitars:

Put dynamic mics neat speakers. Move them if they don't sound good...

Enjoy!

Another option in some cases is to move the mic if it does sound good. Punk ain't pretty...haha

War

[84K]

Originally posted by max cooper
1) Listen to Never Mind the Bollocks

2) Purge studio of all references to ELP and Yes.

3) Listen to Never Mind the Bollocks, but louder

7) Get the amp off the ground

5) Feel free to experiment with mics, but be prepared to go with a 57 if things aren't sounding right.

11) Listen to the Ramones (self titled) and Rocket to Russia followed by N.M.t.Bollocks

7) Stick a safety pin thru the amp's speaker(s), find bass amp, repeat...

9) Listen to The Jam; In The City...repeat...

13) If the guitarist is too "technique-y", have him stick his right hand in the ice chest for five minutes before each take. AND NO UPSTROKES!!!!

21) Guitar solos should be the same as the rhythm part, but just one note instead of the chord.

19) Remember, slapback, not reverb!

uhhh....what comes after nineteen?


IMVVHO, punk is one of those styles that when done right, is timeless. It's rarely done right, though.


Oh yeah, if there are gonna be backing vox, a good reference is "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" by the Clash.

Well Said! NOW F$%KING HIT RECORD!

[Atari]

Ok, I did it. I used three mics: TLM103, SM57 and a M88. I'm pretty satisfied, especially the M88 suprised me. It was the first time I used it. close miced the three of them almost kissing the grill cloth. If you're interested I'll post a sample later on. Thanx for the replys everyone!

[kudzu]

2 me "punk" is all about performance and nothing else....preferably recorded badly....punk shouldn't B anywhere near gearslutz

[picksail]

Originally posted by kudzu
2 me "punk" is all about performance and nothing else....preferably recorded badly....punk shouldn't B anywhere near gearslutz

I don't know.....I think it's about being well equipped and prepared to capture the performance when it happens, in which case it does belong here.

With this in mind, punk rock production more closely parallels that of orchestral or jazz. You'd better be ready because here it comes and it won't happen the same way twice.

With regards to the sonic quality of past productions, well again.....preparedness. Considering most punk music was produced on a shoe string budget there's really no mystery as to why it would sound sub-standard. Economics!!!

[Atari]

Punk is not worth a discussion. Even a classical artist can play punk if he just plays what he wants. Punk has evolved in time. It's not the same thing anymore. If punk would be played now like in the old days everybody would be bored to death. And if it takes playing with expensive gear and working hard to make it sound like you want I don't see where the problem lies. Stating that Punk hás to be or sound like this or that, thát is really un-punk to say. Punk stíll has a message and I just think that many people refuse to hear it because it isn't the same as it was before. Whatever..

[picksail]

Personal opinion should not be a factor. My previous post was with regards to 'doing a good job' and being prepared to do it. Just try to approach it like photography-you only get one shot.

[Atari]

I know.. just had this discussion a lot before and got drifted away. It was nothing personal to anyone.