How can I get a metallic but slightly distorted sound?
Hi there! So this is going to be a bit hard to describe, so I'll just place the song that gave me the idea already: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHxDnldZJrc
[If you know exactly how to accomplish it just by listening, skip the rest of the post, I'll just be rambling about it]
The intro and chorus, is where it pops out the most and that's what I'll be describing. Like the title said, I'm looking for tips on how to get this distorted but rather metallic sound on my bass. A couple of notes (I guess) that I think are worth mentioning (I'm not a pro in the mixing and "tone" departments so what I'll say are just some things I logically concluded):
1- The guitar appears to be heavily "blended" with the bass which can give me the wrong idea on the actual bass tone, nonetheless I think I've heard basses sound pretty close to this (if you know any bands who uses this kind of bass sound say so!! Unless it's Muse...);
2- Yes this is a recording, getting to sound like this live is probably really hard (on a budget), since in recording I guess they split into 1 clean channel and a second distorted one;
3- I'm thinking boosting the mids, flat bass and holding off on the treble? I would say it's more metallic than distorted, the attack is pretty good, feels like the distortion doesn't drag, it's responsive and hard hitting (would "nasal" be a good term to describe it?)... Can't really explain it, but if you hear the song you'll get the picture.
4- Playing with a pick? (damn... not my best skill)
I play in a "nu-progressive-long thrash solos metal" band (xD) and It's just me and lead guitar on strings. So my goal (for a long time) is to kind off "simulate" the presence of a rhythm guitar but maintaining a kick ass tone. In some few sections of the songs (mainly the guitar solos) I would say the background music isn't exactly as "full" as I would like with my current distortion. Maybe the sound I'm looking for here isn't going to "fill it" but at least has a way more cooler vibe.
I have:
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Fender Squire Jazz Bass Vintage Modified '77;
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BOSS odb-3 Overdrive;
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Standard 2x2 Cabinet and Head (Knobs: Gain, Volume, B, M, T; Equalizer) Can't remember the models cuz I use the one the other band at my practise space has, it's not mine;
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Would consider getting a separate equalizer pedal if it helps;
If you actually read all this, wow, Thank you!
And thank you for the help in advance!
Posted Aug 29, 2016, 10:43 PM UTC