Plywood under the guitar cab for better tone? Tried it! Soundsamples!

CharlesMonroe1989 · March 3rd, 2012, 02:52 PM

Hi Guys,

a few weeks ago i read in a guitar recording tutorial, that it would sound better if i place my cab on a big piece of plywood. If this helps? I just tried it...

Guitar: Schecter Blackjack with SD Blackouts
Reampbox: Palmer Daccapo
Amp: 6505 with El34
Cab: Mesa Rectifier 2x12 /V30
Mic: Sm57
Preamp/Interface: Focusrite Saffire 6 USB
Postprocessing: None! Just a Sonalksis and a GClip Plugin for more loudness.

I tried to keep all important circumstances static for the recordings. In the "mixes" the guitars are hard panned right and left. The Drumsound comes from SSD 4.0 (Metalkit 1 i think) and there is NO bassguitar.

This is the setup:

WITH plywood:

WITHOUT plywood:

EQ Settings:

Here are the clips:

WITH Plywood

Guitar:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...0Test%20_w.mp3
Mix:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...20_w%20Mix.mp3

WITHOUT Plywood

Guitar:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...Test%20_wo.mp3
Mix:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...0_wo%20Mix.mp3

Tell me what you think!

Tommy Evans · March 3rd, 2012, 03:01 PM

404 my man.

oroinvictus · March 3rd, 2012, 03:24 PM

Yep, got all 404s.

CharlesMonroe1989 · March 3rd, 2012, 03:31 PM

sry guys! fixed it!

Djentkitty · March 3rd, 2012, 03:42 PM

with sounds bigger, cool experiment

Derykus · March 3rd, 2012, 03:55 PM

Dialing in a better tone will be much more beneficial than the floor surface material. Also, those wood-backed pieces of foam are probably doing more harm than good.

JeffTD · March 3rd, 2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derykus

Dialing in a better tone will be much more beneficial than the floor surface material. Also, those wood-backed pieces of foam are probably doing more harm than good.

This. Drop those mids/highs, lower your gain, pull the mic back a bit, and ditch the panels; they're just causing close reflections.

CharlesMonroe1989 · March 3rd, 2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffTD

This. Drop those mids/highs, lower your gain, pull the mic back a bit, and ditch the panels; they're just causing close reflections.

i agree with the lower gain. mids/highs are just my taste

i saw the acoustic foam panels in a video and just thought that they would avoid earles reflections above 800Hz. I think deeper frequencies go just through it.

And its not about "how to set your amp or mic position right" just the difference of the floor surface

Wisheraser · March 3rd, 2012, 07:56 PM

No reflections above 800Hz from thin auralex? It's probably more like none above 4kHz...if you're lucky. The issue though is the wood backing, not the auralex panels themselves. You'd be wise to ditch that.

Shinozoku · March 3rd, 2012, 09:02 PM

So the comparison is completely moot, right? Cuz he set up some panels to try and kill some resonance?

Did any of you pay any attention at all to the clips? (Mind you I haven't listened. Can't at the moment, but I will when I get the chance)

JakeAC5253 · March 3rd, 2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shinozoku

So the comparison is completely moot, right? Cuz he set up some panels to try and kill some resonance?

Did any of you pay any attention at all to the clips? (Mind you I haven't listened. Can't at the moment, but I will when I get the chance)

Yes. How could anyone judge a tone with all of that comb filtering? It's a silly premise too. The cabinet should be DE-coupled from the acoustic space, not trying to get it to couple more.

Not just trying to prove my own point, but I did prefer the w/o clip.

Wisheraser · March 3rd, 2012, 09:47 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot to write about the comparison earlier. My bad.

I'm not a big fan of either tone, but definitely prefer the w/o clip. The clip with the plywood seems to have this honky low-mid spike whereas the other clip seems more balanced.

oroinvictus · March 3rd, 2012, 10:29 PM

I couldn't tell a whole lot of difference between the clips on my cans, but I'd say the tone without plywood sounded better.

Loren Littlejohn · March 3rd, 2012, 11:37 PM

Fuck hell, the plywood clips suck shit.

Also: didn't care for the tones on the whole, but fuck that fucking plywood.

Soundlurker · March 4th, 2012, 02:46 AM

You just managed to get extra comb filtering and boxiness with that plywood, definitely better without it.

006 · March 4th, 2012, 12:29 PM

With the plywood the sound is all whack from amp settings and the comb filtering. Without the plywood the sound is all whack from the amp settings.

Loren Littlejohn · March 4th, 2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 006

With the plywood the sound is all whack from amp settings and the comb filtering. Without the plywood the sound is all whack from the amp settings.

A nicer way of putting it.

Shinozoku · March 4th, 2012, 10:10 PM

K, finally listened. I agree, without the plywood it does sound better. But the thread has served its purpose, showing that there IS a difference between having plywood and not having it :P

Sloan · March 4th, 2012, 10:33 PM

^LOLWUT

006 · March 4th, 2012, 10:52 PM

I'm pretty sure nobody ever disputed having the plywood like that would produce a different sound...

Clark Kent · March 5th, 2012, 01:38 AM

Dudes... am I the only one who thinks that it's not OK to muffle the speaker cabinet with those silencer boards? Also using tape to mark the mic spot is BAD! I bet there would be a bigger difference in a test where you record with and without tape.

Basically those silencer boards are acting as a sixth wall of the speaker. You should let your cab breathe IMO. Also the tape is blocking a lot of frequencies just like cupping a mic when your growling/singing.

Take those off and you'll have the best tone yet.

006 · March 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Dudes... am I the only one who thinks that it's not OK to muffle the speaker cabinet with those silencer boards?

Yes.

Well, you and everyone else in this thread that said the same thing.

So... no.

drew_drummer · March 5th, 2012, 07:37 AM

bryan_kilco · March 5th, 2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Also the tape is blocking a lot of frequencies just like cupping a mic when your growling/singing.

Take those off and you'll have the best tone yet.

Ran into this when recording our album. Something weird was going on......figured out it was the tape marking the mic spot.....crazy!

CharlesMonroe1989 · March 5th, 2012, 02:05 PM

ok guys, thank you all for your responses! I am still a beginner in recording and so please forgive me these faults

If you want me to i would try it again with better amp settings (make suggestions?)
without the acoustic foam panels
without the tape (has anybody tips for better way to mark mic positions?)
and with the box set upright.

Again thank you all! Learned alot!

March 3rd, 2012, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
CharlesMonroe1989 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 188	Plywood under the guitar cab for better tone? Tried it! Soundsamples! Hi Guys, a few weeks ago i read in a guitar recording tutorial, that it would sound better if i place my cab on a big piece of plywood. If this helps? I just tried it... Guitar: Schecter Blackjack with SD Blackouts Reampbox: Palmer Daccapo Amp: 6505 with El34 Cab: Mesa Rectifier 2x12 /V30 Mic: Sm57 Preamp/Interface: Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Postprocessing: None! Just a Sonalksis and a GClip Plugin for more loudness. I tried to keep all important circumstances static for the recordings. In the "mixes" the guitars are hard panned right and left. The Drumsound comes from SSD 4.0 (Metalkit 1 i think) and there is NO bassguitar. This is the setup: WITH plywood: WITHOUT plywood: EQ Settings: Here are the clips: WITH Plywood Guitar: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...0Test%20_w.mp3 Mix: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...20_w%20Mix.mp3 WITHOUT Plywood Guitar: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...Test%20_wo.mp3 Mix: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17151953/mus...0_wo%20Mix.mp3 Tell me what you think! Last edited by CharlesMonroe1989 : March 3rd, 2012 at 03:30 PM.

March 3rd, 2012, 03:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
oroinvictus dangert billy Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: eugene, oregon Posts: 2,023	Yep, got all 404s. __________________ -Cory

March 3rd, 2012, 10:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
oroinvictus dangert billy Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: eugene, oregon Posts: 2,023	I couldn't tell a whole lot of difference between the clips on my cans, but I'd say the tone without plywood sounded better. __________________ -Cory

March 4th, 2012, 02:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
Soundlurker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,674	You just managed to get extra comb filtering and boxiness with that plywood, definitely better without it. __________________

March 4th, 2012, 12:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
006 Mike G Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 8,981	With the plywood the sound is all whack from amp settings and the comb filtering. Without the plywood the sound is all whack from the amp settings. __________________ >>>>Lyle Cooper Session Drums<<<< Winter Skies Productions on FaceBook Cubase Slip Editing Tutorial Video 006 Drum Pack v1.1: TCI Only,WAV Only

March 3rd, 2012, 03:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tommy Evans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 995	404 my man.

March 3rd, 2012, 03:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
CharlesMonroe1989 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 188	sry guys! fixed it!

March 3rd, 2012, 03:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Djentkitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 291	with sounds bigger, cool experiment

March 3rd, 2012, 03:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Derykus Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 222	Dialing in a better tone will be much more beneficial than the floor surface material. Also, those wood-backed pieces of foam are probably doing more harm than good.

March 3rd, 2012, 07:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wisheraser Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 363	No reflections above 800Hz from thin auralex? It's probably more like none above 4kHz...if you're lucky. The issue though is the wood backing, not the auralex panels themselves. You'd be wise to ditch that.

March 3rd, 2012, 09:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Wisheraser Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 363	Oh yeah, I forgot to write about the comparison earlier. My bad. I'm not a big fan of either tone, but definitely prefer the w/o clip. The clip with the plywood seems to have this honky low-mid spike whereas the other clip seems more balanced.

March 4th, 2012, 10:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
Sloan Sounds like shit! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 4,476	^LOLWUT __________________ SloanZone Audio \| SloanStewart \| Strayfire \| 40oz. Folklore Yamaha HS80M / Audio Technica ATH-M50

March 4th, 2012, 10:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
006 Mike G Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 8,981	I'm pretty sure nobody ever disputed having the plywood like that would produce a different sound... __________________ >>>>Lyle Cooper Session Drums<<<< Winter Skies Productions on FaceBook Cubase Slip Editing Tutorial Video 006 Drum Pack v1.1: TCI Only,WAV Only

March 5th, 2012, 01:38 AM	#21 (permalink)
Clark Kent Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,425	Dudes... am I the only one who thinks that it's not OK to muffle the speaker cabinet with those silencer boards? Also using tape to mark the mic spot is BAD! I bet there would be a bigger difference in a test where you record with and without tape. Basically those silencer boards are acting as a sixth wall of the speaker. You should let your cab breathe IMO. Also the tape is blocking a lot of frequencies just like cupping a mic when your growling/singing. Take those off and you'll have the best tone yet. __________________ http://www.clarkkentjob.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/clarkkentjob http://www.youtube.com/user/dollarsoundstudio

March 5th, 2012, 07:37 AM	#23 (permalink)
drew_drummer Dancefap Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,905	__________________ HOME PAGE :: BIG CARTEL :: YOUTUBE :: TWITTER :: FACEBOOK "Part doom, part sludge, part stoner, part post-rock, Exegesis is all win. It’s a marriage of inspired songwriting, highly skilled performance, and close-to-perfect production engineering.” www.nocleansinging.com

March 5th, 2012, 02:05 PM	#25 (permalink)
CharlesMonroe1989 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 188	ok guys, thank you all for your responses! I am still a beginner in recording and so please forgive me these faults If you want me to i would try it again with better amp settings (make suggestions?) without the acoustic foam panels without the tape (has anybody tips for better way to mark mic positions?) and with the box set upright. Again thank you all! Learned alot!