The 10 steps to the heaviest of metal.
First, I started with this question
“Act like a metal head and go through our production process step by step and make sure we produce the heaviest of metal”
To which Chat GPT 4 responded:
“\m/ Alright, dude! Let’s make sure we create the most brutal and heavy metal ever forged. Here’s the production process, step by step:”
The 10 steps to the heaviest of metal!
- Inspiration: First, we need to find our dark inspiration. Listen to some of the heaviest bands out there, watch some epic horror movies, or read some H.P. Lovecraft to get into the right headspace.
- Riff Writing: Grab your axe (guitar, of course) and start churning out some monstrous riffs. Think low-tuned, chunky, and palm-muted for the utmost heaviness. Don’t forget to throw in some gnarly pinch harmonics!
- Drums: Next, we need some earth-shattering drums. Make sure the double bass is relentless and the blast beats are merciless. Add some skull-crushing breakdowns to give listeners a breather before the next assault.
- Bass: Don’t underestimate the power of a rumbling bass. It’s the backbone of our heavy sound. Follow the guitar riffs, but don’t be afraid to add some mind-bending fills and grooves.
- Vocals: Time to unleash the beast! We need some guttural growls, demonic screams, and powerful clean vocals to give our metal that extra edge. Remember, your lyrics should be as dark and intense as the music.
- Arrangement: Put all the pieces together and create a song structure that’s both brutal and captivating. Mix up the tempos, throw in some unexpected twists, and make sure the transitions are smooth.
- Recording: Enter the studio with a clear vision and make sure you capture the raw power of your sound. Be meticulous, but don’t sterilize the energy. Use quality gear and push the limits of your instruments.
- Mixing & Mastering: Bring in a metal-savvy engineer to help you achieve the perfect balance between all the elements. Make sure the low-end is heavy, the guitars are thick, and the vocals cut through the mix. A solid mastering job will ensure your tracks sound loud and in-your-face on any sound system.
- Artwork & Branding: Give your band a badass name and create a logo that reflects your heavy sound. Collaborate with a talented artist to design some wicked album artwork that’ll catch the eyes of metalheads everywhere.
- Promotion: Share your brutal creation with the world! Build a strong presence on social media, create killer music videos, and play some face-melting live shows. Forge alliances with other heavy bands and work together to spread the gospel of metal.
Now, go forth and create the heaviest of metal! \m/
We definetly got him in the right mindset for the follow-up question:
“Cool, for the guitar, we were thinking some heavy shit from the impulse response library soundwoofer.se. What should we be looking for?”
So, while you read his response, I’ll dig up the three best matches in our library
“\m/ Awesome choice, dude! Soundwoofer.se has a massive impulse response (IR) library that can help you craft a truly heavy and crushing guitar tone. Here’s what you should be looking for when browsing through their collection:
- Cabinet: Start by selecting a cabinet that’s known for its heavy sound. Some popular choices among metal players include Mesa Boogie Rectifier, Marshall 1960, Orange PPC412, and Zilla Fatboy. These cabinets are built to deliver massive low-end and a tight midrange, which is essential for a crushing metal tone.
- Speakers: Choose speakers that can handle and complement the aggression of your playing. Celestion Vintage 30, Celestion G12T-75, and Eminence Swamp Thang are popular choices for heavy music. They’re known for their tight bass response, prominent midrange, and controlled highs.
- Microphones: Pick an impulse response that uses microphones suitable for capturing heavy guitar tones. The Shure SM57, Sennheiser MD421, and Royer R-121 are classic choices. Combining two or more microphones (for example, SM57 and MD421) can help you achieve a more balanced and powerful tone.
- Mic Placement: The position of the microphone relative to the speaker plays a significant role in shaping your tone. Look for impulse responses that provide different mic placements, such as on-axis (directly in front of the speaker) and off-axis (angled away from the speaker). Experiment with different positions to find the one that best captures the heaviness you’re after.
- Room Ambience: The room’s acoustics can have a considerable impact on the final guitar tone. Some IRs are recorded in larger rooms or halls, adding natural reverb and space to the sound. For a tight and heavy tone, consider using IRs recorded in a well-controlled environment or with close-miking techniques to minimize room reflections.
Remember, the perfect impulse response will vary depending on your specific guitar, amp, and playing style. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find the one that brings out the heaviest and most brutal tone in your guitar. Keep it heavy! \m/”
Here we go, enjoy the heaviest metal known to man?
No 1:
Mesa traditional
Dual Rectifier 100-watt Tube Head – Diamond Faceplate
Shure SM57 off-axis
From our Rocksta reactions series, Jörgen Kristensen from Dead Awaken and his Mesa traditional takes the third spot
Recorded with an SM57 at a 45 degree angle (Fredman style)
No 2:
Marshall 1960V
Guitar cabinet with 4×12″ Celestion G12-Vintage speakers.
Shure SM57 off-axis
Marshall 1960V provided by Rocksta Sound Ranch
No 3:
Marshall 1960V
Guitar cabinet with 4×12″ Celestion G12-Vintage speakers.
Shure SM57 on-axis
Marshall 1960V provided by Rocksta Sound Ranch
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