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© 2007 Asonix Corporation All Rights Reserved
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New! User's Group
Crafting Tones for Rock
There are about as many great rock tones as there are great rock guitarists. By following a few simple rules (and perhaps breaking some) you create a tone that is uniquely you.
If you are new to guitar effects, you may want to read the Effects 101 section of the Tech Info page.
So what is the best way to go about combining effects to craft a tone? Well, here is a general signal path that provides a good starting point:
If you are new to guitar effects, you may want to read the Effects 101 section of the Tech Info page.
So what is the best way to go about combining effects to craft a tone? Well, here is a general signal path that provides a good starting point:
Guitar
Amplifier
Compression
Non-linear
Time Domain
Reverb
The setup doesn't have to be this complicated. In fact, simpler is often times better. For example, you may plug a guitar into a Nite-Owl and into a tweed combo amplifier. The Nite-Owl provides natural compression and the amplifier adds reverb. Here is an example recording using this set-up:
Audio Sample
Here are some final thoughts. The two endpoints are very important! Once you have a guitar you like, it is important that it be equipped with good pickups. In most cases, rock requires high output pickups with good sustain. Also, the amplifier's speakers have a huge impact on your overall tone. Equalization is a key factor at all points in the signal chain. Attenuating the midrange at the output produces a "heavier" sound. Also, try filtering before non-linear processing. Distortion effects are generally less harsh when the input signal is filtered.
We hope this information was helpful. Good luck crafting your tone!
Audio Sample
Here are some final thoughts. The two endpoints are very important! Once you have a guitar you like, it is important that it be equipped with good pickups. In most cases, rock requires high output pickups with good sustain. Also, the amplifier's speakers have a huge impact on your overall tone. Equalization is a key factor at all points in the signal chain. Attenuating the midrange at the output produces a "heavier" sound. Also, try filtering before non-linear processing. Distortion effects are generally less harsh when the input signal is filtered.
We hope this information was helpful. Good luck crafting your tone!