Tips and tricks for double tracking

Double tracking is one of the more commonly used methods of thickening up a track and giving the overall sound greater depth. Vocals and guitar tracks are the two things that benefit most from double tracking in my opinion. When double tracking the guitars, you really want to try and make it seem like there are two guitarists playing the same guitar part.

The best option is almost always to record a track twice, then pan one hard left and one hard right. This is often referred to a 'true' double tracking.

If you have the time and the gear, try using two different guitars and vary amplifiers or settings to give a slightly different tone. Another important aspect of 'true' double tracking that some people overlook is that you should record the second take using the first take as the guide track. This helps you keep up with some of the subtle nuances you may miss if you try and record the second take cold.

When it comes time to mixing your double track, once you have the relative volume levels as you like, it's worthwhile sending the two tracks to an Aux send. That way you can apply volume changes, EQ, compression and other effects to the doubled track as if it were one single take.

Sometimes 'true' double tracking is not possible. That's when a little creative audio manipulation is required. Here are a few ideas that can be used to take one mono guitar track and simulate double tracking, because sometimes it's just easier to fake it.


The Delay Trick

This is the technique I employ most often when I'm feeling lazy. You take your single audio track and duplicate it. Pan the original hard left and the duplicate hard right. Now you either have two options, you can either run the duplicate through a delay set to a delay of 5-30 milliseconds (trust your ears) set to 100% wet, or simply nudge the duplicate track so it is 5-30 milliseconds behind the original track. The second option is the easiest and saves some processing power (depending on what plugin you use and how you use it). Using this method you'll occasionally encounter phasing issues, so have a listen through to make sure it's all ok.

Another handy trick is to tweak the EQ of the duplicate track to create a little difference between the original and duplicate. Play around cutting and boosting frequencies, until you find something that compliments the original. This just adds to create some difference between the two tracks and help build the illusion that it's actually two guitars.

If you've got a POD XT Pro or the POD X3 Pro record a source track dry and then play around with 're-amping', or running the source track back through the POD using different amplifier and tone settings.

If you're doubling a vocal track using the delay trick, it can also sound pretty cool if you play around with some very very subtle pitch shifting as well.

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Save big on music gear with these coupon codes

It looks like a few of the big name online musical instrument retailers are going to greater lengths to attract your business. If you're in the market for some new music gear this means that you can pick up some decent savings.

Here are some exclusive offers available from GuitarCenter.com. To redeem these offers make sure you click the appropriate link below and enter the appropriate code when prompted.

10% off at GuitarCenter.com - Save on over 20,000 items! (code: TENOFF, Exp: 12/24)

Free Shipping on orders over $99 at GuitarCenter.com!

Save $30 Instantly with the 30BACK Coupon from Guitar Center

Not to be outdone, Musicians Friend are also offer a discount via the coupon below.

Save Up to $75 Instantly with the MF23 Coupon at Musician's Friend (exp: 12/31)

Make the most of them, because they won't be around forever.

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Guitar Center Coupons

It's been a little while since I posted here last, but this evening I received a couple of Guitar Center coupons in my inbox and I thought I'd share them with the world.

This one is valid until the 26 October 2008 and gives you 10% off.

10% off at GuitarCenter.com - Save on over 20,000 items! (code: TENOFF, Exp: 10/26)

This one is not as exciting but still might be of use if you're after 15 months interest free.

No Payments & No Interest for 15 Months at GuitarCenter.com! (exp. 5/31/08)

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Metallica’s Kirk Hammett struggles with a St Anger riff

I'm not sure about you, but personally I go through bouts of thinking everything I play sounds like crap, to the point where I start asking myself have I ever been able to play anything, or have I been deluding myself.

I had one of those moments tonight. I was playing the guitar, and it sounded like I'd thrown my iPod in a blender and was taking a dump in the refrigerator.

That's why I was glad that I stumbled across this video of Metallica's Kirk Hammett struggling to pick up one of the riffs from the St Anger album. It's comforting to know that even some of the best musicians struggle every now and then... some of the captions are kind of funny as well ;)

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The power of Ableton Live and Kid Beyond

Ableton Live has evolved into one of the more powerful recording and looping tools available. The diverse list of artists using it is both a testament to its ease of use and it's ability to help, not hinder, the creative process.

If you haven't given Ableton Live a shot yet, check out this clip of Kid Beyond, demonstrating what can be achieved with Ableton Live and microphone. Inspiring stuff.

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Programming drums using Impulse in Ableton Live

For any one new to Ableton Live, this is a nice easy to follow tutorial on how to program some drum tracks using Impulse within Ableton Live.

I'm just getting back into Ableton, but I still have a lot to learn!

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Ibanez APEX 2 first impressions

After years of thinking about it, I finally succumbed the other day and picked up a seven string guitar. After some shopping around I decided that the Ibanez APEX 2 was the one for me. The APEX series features the APEX 1 and 2, which are both Munky (from Korn) signature guitars. The APEX 2 is the cheaper, 'simpler' model.

The first thing I noticed about the Ibanez APEX 2 was the neck. Not having played a seven string before, I was surprised that the neck, whilst obviously wider, was also quite thin. This made the transition from 6 to 7 strings relatively easy.

The other thing I liked out of the box was the Ibanez APEX 2's simple features. It has one volume knob, two pickups, a three way selector switch, and a tone pros 7 fixed bridge. Personally I don't need any more than that. The pickups, DiMarzio PAF-7 in the neck and bridge, don't strike me as being particularly hot, but provide enough kick to get the job done.


I also love the simple "Green Shadow Flat" finish, but then, I've always liked green.

The Ibanez APEX 2 is a good buy for the money. You can find them new from around $600+ US if you look around. If you're after the full spec list, here you are:

Features:

* Neck: 5pc Wizard II-7 neck
* NeckType: Wizard II-7
* Body: Mahogany body
* Frets: Jumbo frets
* Fingerboard: Bound Rosewood
* Inlay: APEX on 12th fret
* Bridge: Tone Pros 7
* NeckPU: DiMarzio PAF-7 neck pu
* MiddlePU: DiMarzio PAF-7 bridge pu
* HWcolor: PC
* GSF: GREEN SHADOW FLAT

If you're interested in checking out Munky's guitar rig in great detail, check out Guitar FX Depot.

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First thoughts on the AKAI MPD32

There haven't been a lot of updates here lately. Why is that? Because I picked up an Akai MPD32 and have been toying around with it since it has arrived.

Originally I'd been tossing up between the Akai MPD24 and the M-Audio Trigger Finger. In the end, I opted to go for the MPD32 due to it featuring MPC trigger pads. I'm glad I did. The MPD32 is very responsive to the touch, and handles velocity well. In terms of coming up with drum parts it is a useful tool, and allows for a far more natural approach as opposed to entering things in via mouse and keyboard.


Set up was quick and easy. My only issue was getting it working with Reason 4, however this was mostly caused by "user inability to read instructions". After some head scratching, I ran the latest Reason update patch and things worked straight away.

In other news, Killswitch Engage fans can find the complete guide to Adam Dutkiewicz's guitar gear here.

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Up to 50% off guitars in April from MusiciansFriend

If you're in the market for a new guitar you may be interested to know that Musicians Friend are having a big April 2008 sale, with up to 50% off stuff.

Up to 50% off at the April Guitar Extravaganza at MusiciansFriend.com

If you've been thinking of picking up that Gibson Les Paul Custom in Alpine White that you've always dreamed of, then now is the time!


Musician's Friend

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Close up of Tom Morello’s guitar gear

This post is for Tom, who left a comment on the Tom Morello's Guitar Gear post.

Tom asked if it was possible for me to type out the details of his gear, because it was difficult to read from my scan. Short answer is no, I'm far too lazy to type it out, so instead I've used my uber mad photoshop skills and zeroed in on the info.
Tom Morello\'s guitar gear

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