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Comp-EQ-Exciter Page 7 of 7
-Compression
The electric guitar sound itself already compressed. You don't need heavy compression on it. Still, compression is a useful tool to even out the tone of the guitar and also to add sustain. By using compression, you may able to get a better lead tone with less overdrive. Using compression after gentle overdrive allows more control over the amount of distortion via the guitar volume control without the overall level changing too much.
Don't do compression on the final mix. That's mastering job. If you compress the mix, chances are you don't get optimum gain during mastering process. Do it on individual or bounced guitar track. Or, you can add it during tracking stages but again, you can't undo it later or change the setting after tracks recorded. The advantage of adding compression in tracking before entering console, you will get maximum headroom (results in more in-you-face sound) if TRIM level adjusted correctly.
Suggested setting to get punchier sound:
Threshold: -1 dB
Ratio: 2:1-3:1
Attack: 25-30 ms
Release: 200 ms
Gain: adjust so that output matches input level (unity gain).
-Equalizing
Goal for EQing guitar track: avoid muddy sound and ensure the attack cut through the mix. Generally, cut below 100 Hz to avoid muddiness, boost 120-250 Hz to add warmth. Boost 2.5-4 kHz to bring the attack out, boost 5 kHz to add bite. Again, don't overdo. If you need high level of EQ, go back to tracking process and re-do the tone shaping via amp/stomp to preserve natural of sound.
-Sonic Maximizer/Aural Exciter
If you notice the difference between old 70ies and new recording, you can identify that new recording has breathes, while 70ies are less lifeless. One of the key are utilizing sonic enhancer or exciter. Strictly speaking, the exciter is an audio processor that recreates and restores missing harmonics.
Harmonics are musically and dynamically related to the original sound, revealing the fine differences between voices and various instruments. Reproduced sound is audibly different than the original live sound because of the loss in harmonic detail, often sounding dull and lifeless.
The exciter adds harmonics, restoring the sounds natural brightness, clarity and presence, effectively improving detail and intelligibility. Using the Aural Exciter on specific instruments and/or in the final mix brings life back to the recording.
Adding exciter on a guitar track will make it crispier, improving clarity and sonic identity without raising its level on the mix by articulating individual notes. Typical control of exciter including big bottom drive to control bass sustain, tone control to set which frequency need to be driven and mix knob to control amount of processed signal with original one, exciter tune to select high frequency range to be processed, harmonics knob to control amount of harmonic reproduced from selected high frequency and mix knob to control amount of processed signal with original one.
As of effects, exciter is the spice of the food, you don’t want too much spice or the taste will be horrible. If you use it, apply on guitar track just a little to add life. The mastering process usually will add exciter as well to overall mix.
One good example of aforementioned devices are Aphex Aural Exciter 204 (2-channel big-bottom or bass exciter effect and aural exciter or high frequency harmonics exciter comes in 1U rack size), Aphex Exciter 1403 (stomp-box exciter for guitar with DI-box), Behringer Virtualizer and BBE Sonic Maximizer.
LAST WORDS
Again, BugJet encourages you to experiment by using all the techniques above as a start. Who knows, you'll create great guitar record by inventing better methods. Let us and others know. Metal lives on.
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