Guitar to Fuzz Pedal to Interface to DAW

[dave davies]

Can I record a Guitar through a Fuzz Pedal to an Interface (SSL+) to a DAW (Fruity Loops in my case) without averse effects (no pun intended) or do I need some sort of filter (Guitar Amp Plugin or Speaker-Simulation Plugin)? If so then why? I like bands that use distortion and fuzz so why should I be so technical in that regard as I can EQ and filter and banish any overdrive- mush in the mixing/mastering phase?

[imrae]

It's always an artistic choice at the end of the day and if you want to do an aggressive direct fuzz tone you can. They have been used on records before by artists including NIN and Muse, presumably with further EQ and layering.

Still, most of the recorded fuzz tones we love involve a guitar amplifier, speaker cabinet and microphone and all those parts matter. The good news is that we can now replace a lot of that chain with affordable software.

I find that fuzz pedals interact really strongly with different tonestacks and levels of amplifier gain. A clean bright tonestack really brings out the sizzle, whereas into a dirty mids-forward amp the fuzz effect is more subtle.

[dave davies]

It's always an artistic choice at the end of the day and if you want to do an aggressive direct fuzz tone you can. They have been used on records before by artists including NIN and Muse, presumably with further EQ and layering.

Still, most of the recorded fuzz tones we love involve a guitar amplifier, speaker cabinet and microphone and all those parts matter. The good news is that we can now replace a lot of that chain with affordable software.

I find that fuzz pedals interact really strongly with different tonestacks and levels of amplifier gain. A clean bright tonestack really brings out the sizzle, whereas into a dirty mids-forward amp the fuzz effect is more subtle.

Thanks I love NIN. When you say they used 'further EQ and layering' do you mean they used that to iron out any mushy distortion?

[zerocrossing]

Here’s what you’re going to run into. For various reasons, guitar pickups are not that great sounding in their raw form. Active pickups will be a bit better, but still not full and beefy. So early in the days of the electric guitar they built guitar amps with specific characteristics to make that weak thin guitar output sound good. So pedal makers are also expecting a guitar amp at the end of the line, so your fuzz is probably going to sound super bright and oddly fizzy. Could it be used to go for something interesting? Sure. For years, I used a Digitech 2120 processor that fed two keyboard amps. No real guitar amp needed, and I felt the cabinet modeler on that sounded terrible.

So, the rule is, there are no rules as long as you end up with something you like. That said, if you’re looking for something that’s pretty much like a standard electric guitar sound, an EQ isn’t going to cut it. There are plenty of decent low price, or even free guitar amp modeling solutions. I tried that new Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) and found it to provide pretty good results. It’s open source and totally free, so you might look for an old clean amp model (like the old Fender Bassman or Twin) if you want to lean on the fuzz pedal’s tone. I don’t know if NAM models the overdriven input that’s a part of what a Fuzzbox does to the preamp stage of an amp.

There are also good amp pedals now. Strymon makes one that I thought sounded decent. There are ones that are actually low wattage guitar amps specifically made for what you’re doing. Things like the Blackstar Dept.10 Dual Drive. These things are going to give you that fuzz/amp interaction that going direct into an interface isn’t going to do.

[BertKoor]

More than one way leads to Rome... Most of us found our own way only after multiple failed attempts.

Just pay attention to the level at the interface. You don't want digital clipping to be recorded, not all distortion is good. If the signal is too loud for the "HiZ" guitar/instrument input, you may try a "Line" input.

I like bands that use distortion and fuzz

Could you name an example? Then we could perhaps recommend techniques, pedals, amps, amp sims that get you closer to the sound you're seeking.

[dave davies]

Could you name an example? Then we could perhaps recommend techniques, pedals, amps, amp sims that get you closer to the sound you're seeking.

Some examples here particularly Ron Wray Lightshow and JAMC 'Taste the floor'

[GaryG]

JAMC still used amps...

My earliest recordings were noisey/droney guitar stuff through a distortion straight into a four track cassette. Fizzy and trebly as hell but I loved it (think early Pavement, Flying Saucer Attack, countless New Zealanders on xpressway records etc...) I still use my homemade fuzz based on the pre-amp of a yamaha four track straight into an audio interface.

It all works if that's what you're after. These days I like to refine the sound a bit, use an amp sim to tame the guitar a little so it sits better in a mix, avoid the fuzz spraying over every frequency there is. I like simple 'fender' style amps, found kuassas matchlock about the best though their vermillion is very good too, the 'free' version with Computer Music mag too. But, like everything, so many options these days, even just an IR plugin with a speaker IR works well.

[donkey tugger]

I like simple 'fender' style amps, found kuassas matchlock about the best though their vermillion is very good too, the 'free' version with Computer Music mag too. But, like everything, so many options these days, even just an IR plugin with a speaker IR works well.

Those two are great. For more fizzy indie stuff I also like like this freebie;

https://www.soft-amp.com/softamp-fm25

[GaryG]

Those two are great. For more fizzy indie stuff I also like like this freebie;

https://www.soft-amp.com/softamp-fm25

Yeah, they've made some class plugins, the GT emulator, the one in the dev challeng whose name escapes me...

I tried to ratioanlise a bit, don't touch the guitar much nowadays yet had a dozen or so different sims...

One I found which is a handy as a 'utility' sim is Electrum. Quite a processed sound but covers a lot of bases, some really cutting distortions in there. Not sure I'd pay full whack (I got it on the intro price) but the guts of it are in the Core version which can be had for 'free' at the mo (audiodeluxe) with a purchase. No effects but guess we all have a few anyway...

[dave davies]

Could you name an example? Then we could perhaps recommend techniques, pedals, amps, amp sims that get you closer to the sound you're seeking.

I'm using the JHS CHEESEBALL Pedal;

I just put all this through a free GUITAR AMP PLUGIN and it I can sorta delineate the difference particularly the AMP's background hiss at the silent end...which I like.

[dave davies]

JAMC still used amps...

It all works if that's what you're after. These days I like to refine the sound a bit, use an amp sim to tame the guitar a little so it sits better in a mix, avoid the fuzz spraying over every frequency there is. I like simple 'fender' style amps, found kuassas matchlock about the best though their vermillion is very good too, the 'free' version with Computer Music mag too. But, like everything, so many options these days, even just an IR plugin with a speaker IR works well.

The amp sim 'tames the guitar' so it doesn't overwhelm everything else in the mix? I sorta get that. Without the amp sim the guitar seems to be crunchy as f+++

[donkey tugger]

the one in the dev challeng whose name escapes me...

Flextron....

dtfm.jpg

Sorry!

[GaryG]

The amp sim 'tames the guitar' so it doesn't overwhelm everything else in the mix? I sorta get that. Without the amp sim the guitar seems to be crunchy as f+++

Exactly. Unless that's what you want... Depends on the track/other instruments, I just found on some tracks I'd struggle to get a drum part or keyboard to sit anywhere, just drowned out by the guitar. You can compromise and just eq the fuzz to make room for the other parts, people do that fine.

Off the top of my head, Medicine 'One More', particularly the melody that kicks in ~2:36. Believe Brad Laner just had his guitar into a yamaha 4-track for distortion then into the recorder. Sounds bloody great.

[dave davies]

It all works if that's what you're after. These days I like to refine the sound a bit, use an amp sim to tame the guitar a little so it sits better in a mix, avoid the fuzz spraying over every frequency there is. I

You're right when other instruments are introduced in the mix the fuzz guitar is either overwhelming (spraying everywhere and mushy) or under the other instruments. It's tricky getting the right balance. How could I resolve this as the original fuzz sounds amazing? If I use the Sim Amp what amp settings do you recommend if I feed a Guitar with Fuzz Pedal through it and so it doesn't overwhelm the other instruments in the mix or vice versa where it's behind the other instruments?

The guitar sound (the chords) here is what I'm after ;

[jens]

I like bands that use distortion and fuzz so why should I be so technical in that regard as I can EQ and filter and banish any overdrive- mush in the mixing/mastering phase?

Because then you have much more freedom later on to change/improve the tone...

I do not at all mind going through analog hardware devices when recording, but I certainly do not recommend going through something that you plan/think you need to "fix later". I think if you are commiting to a certain sound that early on it should better be exactly what you want.
Sometimes you must fix stuff in the mix but this in my opinion should only have to happen with unavoidable situations (i.e. accidents, limitations of the gear at your disposal (mics, etc.)) rather than a trap you set up for yourself voluntarily.

There's many great Fuzz plugins. Chances are the hardware one(s) you have access to are rather of a lesser quality and flexibility than a better one.