CLEAN GUITAR TRACKING

[snedley]

What comps you folks use for tracking clean gutiar?

[Knastratt]

I merely limit. All further compression is done ITB/OTB at mix.

[antti]

Normally none but sometimes tube opto or vari-mu types to give them a little colour or glue. Depends on the part ofcourse.

[snedley]

I need a pretty fast limiter/comp right? Just trying to control some springy notes.

[Jack Pettit]

I use a API 525 set on limit just to tame the peaks

[bpatural]

1176 all buttons in hit hard can be cool for wacky funky rhythm stuff.

-brian

[Punchmo]

I have had excellent results with a R121 > Manley Pre to a LA 4.

[GYang]

Drawmer MX-30 on pure limiting or Tube Tech on compression, sometimes both.

GYang

[barforama]

ELOP, ELOP, SLAM! and sometimes Ashly SC50, but the latter is mostly for acoustic guitars.

[snedley]

Originally Posted by Punchmo

I have had excellent results with a R121 > Manley Pre to a LA 4.

Do you set the LA-4s to 20:1?

[matt f]

I've found the Electro harmonix black finger compressor pedal to be very good for recording gtrs. It's got a fairly fast attack that works well at controlling the spikey bits, and evening out the dynamics yet still keeps the gtr punchy if you want to play like that. Its got a couple of 12AX7EH valves in that give gtrs a bit of colour and grit. Seems to make the tone fuller and a little smoother too, works well with bass gtrs as well. And it's like a $150...
Also the tube-tech CL1B is very cool for controlling dynamics and getting the tone a little more juicy...
and I second 1176's as well, great for almost everything!
Can't beat a great playing through a great sounding amp with an SM58 (compression from the mic) and an api 512 pre amp tho.........

[Jules]

Drawmer 1968 is great for clean gtr tracking

So is DBX 160 vu vintage

[doctor]

I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of my LA-4 for clean guitar. These days I've been loving my Demeter VTCL-2. Lots of color with a tendency to make it sound a little more mellow. It's like a using a ribbon mic filter.

doctor

[snedley]

The reason I started this question in the first place is because I too have LA-4s and didn't think they would be fast enough for clean electric guitars. That fellow that mods them(Sorry can't remember his name) says their faster on 20:1 but you should just "tickle" the meters. They can get pretty dark if over used.

[ziegenh5]

LA3A's are great on all kinds of guitars.
Sean

[Jay Kahrs]

I tend to use different comps for different types of parts, imagine that. I'll reach for something fast (ie; usually not an opto) on whacka-whacka rhythm parts and something smoother and slower if it's strumming and comping.

[Punchmo]

Originally Posted by snedley

Do you set the LA-4s to 20:1?

Snedley, Never. I do not like my LA 4's on 20:1. Mine are usaully set to 4:1. One of mine has been modded by Alectronics. I guess the issue is what kind of clean guitar. If it is spanky tele then I might use an opto to an 1176, Aphex 661 or Vari Mu. I have been recording some R&B (60'svibe) stuff lately and either a Les Paul or Strat through a 65 Fender bassman to either 4 X 10's or 2 X 12's, 121, Manley to an LA4 has offered up a very nice sound. I will also say that I use my LA 4's fed by the Manley's for rok and this can be a very happening sound. Of course the signal to the Manley from a rok guitar is already compressed.

[paterno]

Originally Posted by snedley

What comps you folks use for tracking clean gutiar?

Distressor at 4:1, no distortion, and sometimes with the midrange emphasis on the detector. What I love about it is that you can make the attack super fast if you need to. Same for the release...

John

[toque-eh!]

for some gentle peak limiting i like the LA-2A

for massive squashing i like the LA-2A again and also the previously mentioned ashley SC-50

drawmer 241 or 251 comps are also handy and flexible for clean guitar.

[gear is cool]

manley vari mu, 1176, dbx 160vu, for stereo/double mono ac guitars i quite like the dbx 162, or ssl

[pgk]

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