Project Audio – Guitar Challenges

As far as computer programming goes, writing audio programming on guitars is the toughest of them all. Too much to say about guitars so I guess I better cut the whole thing focusing on audio mixing.

The first thing that worries me a lot about guitars is that the frequencies overlap vocals and bass frequencies. Once the guitars are playing the solos, things get even worse because I am afraid that the frequencies get buried and not clearly heard.

Guitars too are unlike others have these pitch bending thing, modulation thing, wah-wahs thing, sweeping thing, echo thing, distortion thing, overdrive thing, grunge thing, reverb dry and wet thing, tremolo thing, scratching thing, this thing, that thing and so many things which when I started audio programming, I did not write these sound properties. Not having these properties attached to guitar sound does not make any sense so I have no choice but to use software like Adobe Audition 1.5 for the later add on.

I prefer the frequencies to start at the mid-range so I will straightly cut those frequencies below 200 Hz. This should help me to avoid any overlap frequencies against basses.

Depending on where the vocals are sitting, I will cut down the frequencies at least by 9db. I may want to cut 15 dB if I had to. Exceptional goes should I need the guitars to be heard as hard as possible where I will cut down maximum 3 dB only. Q is set to be at 1 or 2.

Rock sound is problematic. I can’t imagine rock music without distortion and overdrive guitars. I will cut down the bass frequencies at 400 Hz by 3 dB with Q at 1. I will substitute it by boosting the guitars frequencies at that range by 3 dB also with Q at 1.

Frequencies around 800 Hz is usually problematic for guitars. Should I see too much of it, I will notch the frequencies by 6 dB with Q between 1 and 2.

I will boost frequencies around 6000 Hz by 2 dB with Q = 1. This helps the guitar sound to sparkle.

Modulation effects such as chorus and flangers can be added to give the interesting character. Also, I won’t leave to add studio stereo effect too with a 100 ms delay and one repeat you can achieve a nice doubling effect that stands out just enough, but still sits well in the mix.

For solos, panning should be around the center while for rhythm, I may go far left and right.

I will cut out the far end depending on the spectrum.

I also may want to consider tremolo, vibrato and pitch bending.

Do enjoy my cousin Az Samad playing his guitar: