Need some advice for lead

[qwertyx]

I have a qns.

Let's say i am playing the lead guitar (Genreop rock.)

What are the usual settings for lead? how to let my lead stand out during the solo part, e.g increase my volume during the solo part?

I do not want my lead to overpower the vocals and want my lead to stand out during solo parts.. any advice from fellow softies here?

 

[wck]

u can try boosting the volume, gain, mids and treble with a clean boost, overdrive or eq respectively.

 

[faizal_rocks]

I'd suggest getting a Modtone Clean Boost pedal...its an eq and volume boost in one pedal... Just 2 knobs for tone and volume level..I have one in my pedalboard..

 

[qwertyx]

forget to mention that i am using a mutli fx pedal. what should i add for the "solo" patch?

 

[wck]

umm...just do what faizal and i suggested?? increase the volume, use more gain, on the eq boost the mids and u could add compression and/or delay. your multi efx has those right? u dont need to do all, whatever sounds best to you is fine.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Agree with the rest. Increase the mids and treble, as well as a bit of gain and volume. The E.Q. on a multi-effects should work the same way as it does on a pedal or an amplifier. Otherwise, there's something wrong.

Oh, and delay does go a long way. It doesn't add to the presence, but it generally makes it sound fuller and more complete.

I don't know about your specific multi-effects, but mine has a Presence control, which I use instead of changing everything else. I notice that it just adds treble and mids, and perhaps a bit of compression.

 

[qwertyx]

Eugene= thx .. will take note of the pressure thingy.. can i know how the compression will help in my lead tone? So adding delay also help? how abt adding more drive/distortion?

Usually for lead guitar.. i use overdrive or distortion? i think distortion kinda overpower(made everything sound a bit mesy) the vocals when the lead is playing in the background.

 

[wck]

to add to eugene's point on the delay.. compression also does not help u to cut thru the mix. its just to give u more sustain and to make the notes u play sound fuller, same for the delay. of course thats a different topic.. ohh, and when using compression pls dont turn the sustain all the way up. It amplifies the noise and makes things even more messy.

what multi efx do u use anw? when using distortion try not to dime the gain..play with the lowest gain possible if you cannot control the insane amount of gain theres no point using it right?

Gain will not really help u in cutting thru, it just increases the volume and gain. The magic is in the EQ! And like eugene said, use the presence control if u have one but if u dont then just stick to boosting the treble and mids.

 

[qwertyx]

i m using the Zoom G2 series.. any tips?

 

[wck]

ohh i had that before.. just tweak the eq and u can play around with the boost settings..if i rmb correctly it could boost 5 different bands of frequencies. Also, theres the extended eq with presence and some hi mids or sth..play around with that. those 2 eq functions will help alot


From what i rmb some of the dirt models are pretty high gain and kinda uncontrollable, didnt like those. try using the med gain ones not the extreme distortions or whatever.

hope this helps!

 

[qwertyx]

oh.. thanks i will play around with the eqs! Thanks guys for the advices.!

 

[Vax]

@qwertyx regarding distortion vs overdrive for lead, how about a tamer distortion setting? Turn the gain really low, and the drive at mid or so. Each distortion has its own sweet spot. Better if you have a tone control to make it darker (anti-clockwise) or brighter (clockwise). I think the "overpowering" comes from a distortion pedal pushing the amp harder than what you want it to.

 

[Watchtower]

You need to remember you're playing off the other band members - have empathy & respect for their instruments & know the limits of each instrument in the band. As a guitarist & bassist, I need to stress this : DON'T be an ass and drown out all the other instruments with your guitar. There are part of the song where the lead goes tacet (silent), or only plays small riffs to support the rhythm guitar.

Also, respect the hierachy. Think of it as the layers of an onion. In the innermost layer are the drummers who provide the pulse and combines with the bassist (the next layer) to form the rhythm section. The rhythm guitarist plays above these 2 and provides the audience with the main form of the song - the chord progression. Rhythm guitars should have a different timbre from lead, preferably a "warm" sound from some kind of Vox-type of amp, so that the audience can tell them apart. A lead guitar tone should be predicated on these considerations. Dimebag Darrell used his EQ pedal for both gain & distortion during his solos.

Lead players need to understand the form of the song (tempo, progression, where the singer's lyrics are at, etc) in order to explore the possibilities open to him/her - are you going to employ chromaticisms? or mutant chords? or change key altogether? Or employ counterpoint to the main theme? in what species?

Also remember you're playing to an audience (or potential audience) - do not bore them with long drawn out solos. Be a good team player and throw the other instruments into the mix - each band member should be given an opportunity to do solos too.

Check out these bands to get what I'm saying : Guns 'n' Roses, Megadeth, Motley Crue, Mr Big, White Zombie (the drummer kicked ass in the Sexcisto album!), Sepultura (check out the badass Brazilian rhythms in Chaos A.D.), & the Buena Vista Social Club.