Euro Power Metal Guitar ?

[j_spar]

Hey RR !

Sorry to be a taker right off the bat.... I need some help.

I am looking for any help on achieving the guitar sound of the Euro Power Metal bands such as.. Firewind, DreamEvil, ( Gus G. / Fredrick Nordstrom ), Kamelot, Symphony X, etc....

If you have ever listened to these recordings, Fredrick and Studio Friedmen, Gothenburg Sweden..is the MAN, for locking down this sound. big, full, not abrasive...you can't tell where the guitar ends and the bass begins. it is really nice. Big wall-o-Sound. Fredrick also did the newest Arch Enemy.

Basically, I need mic placement ideas and EQ-ish suggestions / possible Amp settings, whatever gets me close to this "Gothenburg Sound"



Sorry for the Doof-ass question.

Thanks in advance for any help !

j_spar

[brandondrury]

Well you aren't gonna like my answer, but you'll learn something.

It's really easy and really hard. All you have to do is get an amp to sound EXACTLY like what you want and put a mic in front of it.

I have a little rule that says if I need EQ on my electric guitar tracks, I messed up. It doesn't mean I can't use EQ, it just means that if I'm in any way unhappy with the guitars going in, I'll have big time problems later.

These are broad concepts but they work for snagging tones whether they are In Flames or CCR.

Actually getting the guitars to sound that big in the room is the hardest part.

Brandon

[j_spar]

Hey ! Thanks !

I definitely understand the idiocy of my question.

I am a pro photographer by trade. I can totally relate to "how do I take a good picture like....." It's pure lunacy. There's too many answers and YEARS of experience that go into it.

I was hoping for any kind of trick or tip other than the normal things you have to do when mic-ing or tracking. I am not finding too many people know of the Euro Power movement here in the States. I have plenty of advice on "New Metal" or "Modern Metal".... but the tips for Euro Power Metal allude me.

But, as you said...I am probably over complexing everything and it starts with the basics.

Thanks for the reply.

Anymore replies are welcome !

[brandondrury]

I am a pro photographer by trade.

Well you TOTALLY get it then! In my upcoming home recording book I make quite a few comparisons to photography. Even though I'm quite ignorant of photography, I think the crafts are similar.

If I needed you to take a picture of a hot chick in a bikini and you took a picture of a big girl in the bikini, the lighting would be irrelevant.

So the hard part for you, regardless of X metal genre is getting the chick in the picture to look like what we want. We may need to encourage here to shove her finger down her throat after meals and such.

I am not finding too many people know of the Euro Power movement here in the States. I have plenty of advice on "New Metal" or "Modern Metal".... but the tips for Euro Power Metal allude me.

I checked out Firewind. The one song I'm listening to is really cool. I dig the old school melodies which you won't hear on American radio. From an engineering standpoint, this is straight up modern rock/metal production. There really isn't anything specialized about the sounds presented here that wouldn't work in many other genres.

But, as you said...I am probably over complexing everything and it starts with the basics.

I'd recommend posting a mix in Bash This Recording. Then we can address specific problems and help you solve them.

Brandon

[j_spar]

Awesome ! Thanks for your ear of experience.

I guess since we've not heard much of the Euro Stuff in the past decade, the recording / tracking tips could be found in the past...possibly late 80's to mid 90's, but with modern gear and a few modern luxuries and tools. Who knows... trial and error possibly.

Thanks again for the quick replies.

I am very open to bashing....after 13 years as a pro photographer, it's good for me to be on the receiving end ! Lord knows I have dished it out in the past.

Thanks again !

[brandondrury]

I guess since we've not heard much of the Euro Stuff in the past decade, the recording / tracking tips could be found in the past...possibly late 80's to mid 90's

This is DEFINITELY NOT 80s-90s production. This is straight up modern rock production that I'm hearing. The drum sounds, guitar sounds, and vocal sounds are all modern. The actual engineering isn't much different that of the last 3 Days Grace album or equivalent.

The melodies and songwriting are more old school, but not the engineering. Even though there is nice lead guitar work, those tones are very modern as well.

Brandon

[j_spar]

Ahhh.... Cool. OK. I won't look to the past then.

Thanks !
I appreciate it !

I think I have a good starting place !

thanks again !

[brandondrury]

If you have already done a mix, toss it in Bash This Recording. It's the most powerful way to improve your mixes that I've found.

Brandon

[j_spar]

I don't have anything yet.
Just had a meeting with the band on Sunday.

I will post something when things develope.

Thanks again !