Beginner require help to get Metal Tone

Cubase
1

Hi

Using my guitar via a UR22MkII, how do you get multiple audio tracks with good metal tone on each track?

So far I have on each track added VST plug ins - TS808, Poulan Le Cab, Poulan Solo V2, X-cita as per you tube by Zachary Spence.

However, the sound becomes blurred and sludge like after about 3 or 4 tracks.

Thanks

Steinberg UR22MKII, Acer Aspire PC with 16 RAM, 2TB and AM10 processor with 3.3hz, Windows 10 64 bit, Cubase Elements 8.

2

There are a few things you can try. First off when you’re using LeCab with some good IRs you’re going to get a whole lot more usage out of the Cubase AmpSim plugin, it’s actually really cool when you run it through some better IRs, but he Poulin plugins are awesome and will work just fine.

For good basic “metal” guitar tone you should keep a few general concepts in mind (emphasis on basic):

  • Double track rhythm parts and pan them left+right

  • Stick to 2 tracks, if you overdub any more than that you’ll get muddy crap tone

  • Use less gain than you think you’ll need, most of the heaviest rhythm guitar sounds are relatively medium gain

  • Less is more

  • Make sure your parts are clean, if you cant play it flawlessly at 1.25x speed then it’s might above your ability for clean recording

  • Don’t scoop out the mids

Those are just basic things you can do to get within the ballpark. The more you add to heavy guitars the worse they sound, you really need to keep it simple. Typically what I find is that bass knobs on amps (and amp VSTs) tend to get too muddy, so I roll most of that off usually and then add it back in with a post EQ. And while on that topic you should get real familiar with low end frequency management (for guitars as well for general mixing). Use high pass filters carefully to clean up low end rumble and to gently ease some bassiness out of your guitars so the kick and bass guitar can be clearer.