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how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:10 pm
by Mondaze
Ive been jamming with my friend again.. and Ive acquired a ton of new gear since the last time we've practiced, specifically different fuzz tones.

I've noticed that fuzz pedals dont really stand out (Big Muff and Algal Bloom), and just get lost in the mix. but on the contrary, my fulltone OCD cuts absolutely beautifully..... it just makes think about rearranging my setup and load up on more ODs rather than fuzz pedals. is there something Im doing wrong? maybe I just need to turn up the volume of each fuzz pedal? any help or input is greatly appreciated

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:23 pm
by terminator
Need more mids

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:24 pm
by friendship
Work your EQ structure around the other instruments in the band. Get rid of some low end or try to tame some of the ultra-treble frequenices if you can. Identify where the midrange gap is in the band mix when you're not playing and tailor your sound to fit in that hole. Generally when a guitar isn't standing out in the mix, it's because its energy is located in frequencies already being dominated by something else, for instance a big muff has a lot of bass and gets overwhelmed by your bassist. Look at the upper midrange from 1kHz-4kHz, a lot of guitar articulation comes from there (but of course you have to carve even this around your singer's range, if you have one)

just some general tips to get your started

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:28 pm
by skullservant
A great EQ pedal at the end of your chain will work wonders. And you can always switch it on and off to get burried back in the mix if you wanted/needed to

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:31 pm
by D.o.S.
Turn up more

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:39 pm
by terminator
D.o.S. wrote:Turn up more
That's really what I do. I like scooped mids.

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:52 pm
by Mondaze
right on dudes thanks for the instant replies! i have practice in a couple hours too so I'll definitely keep you guys in mind, thankss

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:55 pm
by frigid midget
Mondaze wrote:Ive been jamming with my friend again.. and Ive acquired a ton of new gear since the last time we've practiced, specifically different fuzz tones.

I've noticed that MUFF fuzz pedals dont really stand out (Big Muff and Algal Bloom), and just get lost in the mix. but on the contrary, my fulltone OCD cuts absolutely beautifully..... it just makes think about rearranging my setup and load up on more ODs rather than fuzz pedals. is there something Im doing wrong? maybe I just need to turn up the volume of each fuzz pedal? any help or input is greatly appreciated
Fix'd : :p

Seriously though...My big caveat with all muffs is that they dissapear in a big loud mix. As I just posted in another thread here...There's a couple tricks (stacking, mid scoop/cut, eq,...) to *almost* fix that, but in the end, any muff that sounds like a muff will have a hard time cutting through...impo :idk:

I went through a ton of muff type pedals before I realised there's no middle way for me. Just like Rats, you either need to embrace their hairy middsy characters and take the annoying flaw that comes with it...Or, like me, start looking at tone benders and super fuzzes :)

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:05 pm
by Inconuucl
I tend to keep my mids high anyways. Despite it being a chore when I'm playing alone. :idk:

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:12 pm
by HorseyBoy
Image

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:13 pm
by D.o.S.
DONT GIVE AWAY MY SECRETS

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:14 pm
by sonidero
I've never heard anyone say Mascis gets lost in the mix... Also Algal is usually thought to stand out... Try Algal after Muff and turn up moar...

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:04 pm
by Casavettes
In my experience, fuzzes not cutting through the mix had a lot to do with simply how I was EQing my amp.

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:12 pm
by ChetMagongalo
You could also try running your OCD after your muff and see if that works

Re: how can I make fuzz pedals stand out in the mix?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 8:43 pm
by onyxrhino
sonidero wrote:I've never heard anyone say Mascis gets lost in the mix...
Yeah, have you been to those shows? I've learned to bring extra earplugs. People are usually quite grateful. I don't think it's a case of tweaking the frequencies with Mascis, I think he's got so much volume, it doesn't matter.