Getting the sound

[keith9151]

I watch people like Steve Reynolds on YouTube and they have a great sound. I know they use computer programs and audio interfaces etc as well as being brilliant guitarists but is there a way to get that sound without computers and interfaces because l am rubbish with technology.
At the moment l use a custom shop strat into Hall and Collins into a Vox ac15h1tv
Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[barryg]

Hi Keith,
This question has been asked by so many people in the past but what is the answer? You have a great guitar, a excellent echo unit and you have the right amp so I would start with the adjustable settings and playing style. You don't need a computer to get that sound as you should get it by adjusting the guitar and amp. I would start with the amp and adjust for the tone with midway setttings and adjust from there. The guitar should have vintage staggered pole pickups and the 5 way switch on the correct setting for the tune. String gauge of 10's should give a good sound and use a pick around .88 size. The echo set on the correct tune.

I'm sure there will be more comments for you think about. Do you know other players that could help you or do you go to Shadows clubs?

Barry

[keith9151]

Hi Barry
Thanks for response. I have tried all the different settings on the amp but can’t get the sound l want.
I don’t want to start using a computer etc because l am a bit thick with things like that
But thanks again
Keith

[rockinscott]

Hi Keith

If it's the early sound you're after I would use the ef86 channel with the bright switch on. I have an ac30 with Roger's EF86 add on unit set on position 2 which would be the same setting on your amp. The only other thing I have in the chain is a caline 10 band eq with the bottom and top end rolled off. Have look on the tvs site under that gear, for a basic guide on how to set your amp

Scott

[keith9151]

Hi Scott
Thanks l have actually just sent for a caline eq but haven’t received it yet..
I do use the EF86 channel at the moment.
The sound l am after is the sound guitarists get when using a computer and interface but without the computer and interface if that makes any sense.
Thanks for your comments.
I will see what a difference the caline eq makes once it arrives

[Stu's Dad]

Keith,

When your Caline arrives look at this thread for settings charliehall.proboards.com/thread/19314/caline-cp-24-band-settings

To use them set all your amp tones to flat.

Len

[rogercook]

I prefer 11-54 strings with a wound 3rd and a heavier plectrum (Dunlop Jazz 3, 1.38mm). Also it's worth picking the strings in different areasa eg Hank has picked over the space between the end of the neck and the neck pickup for some of the slightly less trebley sounds. In the early days Hank had a very aggressive picking technique eg FBI etc.

[keith9151]

Hi Len
Thanks will check it out.
Keith

[keith9151]

Hi Roger
Thanks at this point will try everything.
Thanks
Keith

[garystrat]

Hi Keith,

I think you will find in Steves case he is using mainly hardware which then goes to his audio interface for recording/webcasts, rather than mic’ing up he is using direct connections from either modelling pedals or modelling amp with line level out:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkRDMvmoLng

In a domestic situation this works well as there as there are no worries about external noises interfering with the recording, it’s analogue up to the audio interface which means it reacts in a more traditional way. The computer/DAW is really more of a recording device with the benefit of potential additional EQ/FX, but I think Steve has kept this pretty much all analogue on the front end.

This also overcomes some of the problems of not being able to drive an amp at “sweet” spot levels in a domestic environment.

Regards

Gary

[bor64]

Hi Keith,

The equipment you use isn't the problem...all 3 together can deliver the/that sound.
Two friends of mine have the same AC15H1TV, H&CSE, and several strats.
They come to my place and made photo's of my settings of the same stuff.
Both complain about the fact they can't get my sound....

Witch Doctor

Wonderful Land

Please listen to both samples, both very different, one 'aggressive picking' the other 'gentle picking'

All the same gear used AC15H1TV,H&CSE and strat.
13-56 strings and a Dunlop Tortex green M3 pick.

If your after the sound of Steve...Steven has a great sound indeed, but a very 'aggressive picking' style is not his main weapon to get his sound.

I don't use a EQ in my signal line.

Hope you like it and can take some pointers from it.
If your on the EF86 channel you can choose easy the "wrong" filter setting.

Cheers Rob

[keith9151]

Hi Gary
That explains a lot . I’m a bit thick when it comes to computers etc
Much obliged
Kei

[keith9151]

Hi Rob
Thanks for that both tunes sound great, much better than l can get.
I must admit l am a very light player maybe l need to be more aggressive.
Appreciate your response
Keith

[bor64]

Hi Keith,

I forgot to mention, a pc wasn't used for these recordings just a microphone fro WL and a line direct into the MD recorder for WD.

All that pc mumbo jumbo is beyond me too for the most part.


Cheers Rob

[keith9151]

Thanks again Rob

[Steve Reynolds]

Hi Keith

Thanks for your comments about my sound and playing it is really appreciated. I have tried many ways over the years to try and get a sound that I am happy with. I have had everything from a Custom Shop Strat, TVS3 and a Vox AC30 with Blue Speakers right down to what I use a lot these days a Squier Classic Vibe 50s Strat with Zoom G3x and Joyo ACtone.

All of the setups have their own benefits and negatives but living in a flat and playing online and doing YouTube videos I mainly use the Zoom G3x with Joyo ACtone or the Vintage sounds plug in for the PC.

You certainly have all the gear you need. As Rob mentions I don't pick aggressively most of the time. I use 11-49 daddario strings most of the time.

Its all about experimenting with gear, I've been doing it for 10 years plus now and still learning all the time. If you are playing at home though I would suggest it is likely the amp.

Valve amps like the Vox AC15 need to be driven to get the compression and harmonic response and at home that is very difficult. The Joyo ACtone is capable of doing that with headphones and not disturbing anyone.

The Vintage sounds package has a lot going on not just echo but reverb, compression, equalization etc etc its a full package and difficult to replicate using hardware as you would need Abbey Road to do so!

Hope some of this helps, as people have suggested it may be worth going along to your local shadows club when things reopen again if you don't already. A lot of information comes from the clubs etc but if there is anything i can help with please let me know.

best wishes

Steve

[andyj47]

hi keith ,youve already got all you need to sound like the shadows ! just play to sound like keith and not somebody else. you need a degree in electronics to understand some of the posts on here! strat echo vox ,thats all you need ,plus technique which is the main bit!

[keith9151]

Hi Steve
Much appreciate your response and advice.
I have only recently found you on YouTube and really love your sound. I am still catching up on all your videos which l really enjoy
I do only play at home .
I think l need to find a shadows club in Doncaster
Thanks again
Keith

[keith9151]

Thanks Andy

[andyj47]

hi again, as roger cook says, varying where you pick does make a big difference .on the early stuff hank didnt play all the time with the tremelo arm in his hand ,and picked further back with just a quick dip or shake to emphasise a point. i have noticed a lot of players nowadays try to do the permanent grip on it and sometimes pull it out of tune or overdo the effect .less is more etc etc.

[keith9151]

Hi Andy
Thanks again .
Keith

[Steve Reynolds]

Thanks Keith

My sound and setup and recording method has changed many times but I always put a note in the description on the video of what I used for that actual video so this should give you a good guide if you find one you particularly like the sound of.

[keith9151]

Thanks Steve
I have now checked a couple of your videos and have found the relevant information you mentioned in your message.
Good to know.
I think the first thing l need to do is change my strings from 10-46 strings to 11s
Keith

[mikeab]

If you're happy to play through headphones try the Vox AC30 Amplug which will let you mix in backing tracks as well - and you can record the headphone output if you want to. Cheap gizmo at £34 which sounds great and sometimes uncannily accurate.

[mickhunt]

Kieth the South Yorkshire shadows club meet in Doncaster every 2nd Sunday in the month at a working mans club is there one called something like the hankies or something like that if you can find Dave Robinson around on this site he will explain better
Mickhunt

[keith9151]

Thanks for that Mikeab

[keith9151]

Hi Mick
Thanks I’ve found the shadows club. They meet at the Hyde Park working men’s club in Doncaster but l can’t find anything recent, probably because of COVID there hasn’t been any meetings for a while.. But at least l know where they are now.
Thanks for the info
Keith

[mickhunt]

It’s every second Sunday in the month when conditions permit see if you can get in touch with Dave he will know what’s happening
Mickhunt
Sheffield

[keith9151]

Hi Mick
Thanks for that will try and contact him
Have as good a New Year as you can and stay safe
Keith