Creating the Brown Sound in 10 minutes! Ok, well, a few minutes longer, but you get the idea. Part two -- Brown Sound Effects -- link here: • Brown Sound Effects
That was really impressive. I can't believe how much difference the pre- to post reverb tone was. Once reverb was added (more then I would have guessed!) it really became the EVH early tone! Really nicely done! I've added this to favorites for review tomorrow!
Thanks! The reverb is definitely a part of it, for sure. I think I've got a better patch built, and I'm getting ready to re-do this video to get things a little closer. Plus the new patch feels much better to play.
You truly have the best VH tone I’ve have seen online- many are close,but your tone has the “something “ that everyone else is missing. Thanks for posting!
This is a good demonstration of how creative you can be with the Axe FX 2 amp model. I think every modeler has it's cool features but this one is obviously powerful
LOL! Thanks. I'm an amp snob too, but I love the convenience of the Axe-Fx, and it's ability to get great tones. Going FRFR through a K10 is a pretty different experience from playing an amp, however. Not that it can't sound good, but to me, it is different.
Tried following your guide for the Atomic Amplifire, and it was surprisingly close! only significant change was that Amplifire`s plexi model has a lot less saturation, so had to throw in a tubescreamer. thanks for the guide
Just wanted to add for anyone who has low output pickups; I have a Les Paul R8 1958 and it has lower output than the newer ones - it really makes all the difference to add a Drive pedal before the amp in the chain. The one that worked best for me is the Super OD with the Drive at 1.50, Low Cut at 700 hz, and High cut at 1000 hz. Thanks
Yeah, that's an awesome suggestion. Thank you! I had some low output pups in a few other guitars. For them, I loved using a filter block, shaping the low end and high end a little, and cranking up the output of the filter to simulate higher output. Super-effective, and doesn't color quite as much as some of the pedals.
Holy Shit spot on !! Incredible the technology is getting so good these days and you have a great ear to do those tweaks awesome job and you nailed it!
+Nathan Houghton From what I know of the Ax8, there is absolutely no reason why you wouldn't be able to duplicate this on that unit. The same amps and effects are going to be included in the new unit, and as you can see, it's a pretty straight forward patch. The Ax8 is a compelling unit, for sure. Thanks for the kind words!
Very very good & informative. Great tone & playing. I have an AxeFxII so I hope you do more of these videos. The reverb & delay are the hardest for me to dial in on Van Halen songs. Even more so than the amp tone. Are the delay & verb both panned to the right side on those early VH records? The verb is so huge, but doesn't over take the guitar tone. I can never dial in the 'verb & delay of a song like 'Feel your love' quite right. Just doesn't have the same bounce! I look forward to the effects video. Could you possibly show examples of dialing in the effects on a couple particular VH songs like Feel Your Love, Mean Street, Ain't talkin' bout love etc..... Thanks! Your channel will become very popular if you keep doing these!
+rastadarrin I'd have to go back and listen real close, but the guitar is on one side, and the reverb appears to be balanced to the other. Thanks for the kind words!
This just goes to show how much might have gone into EVH's tone. Past his guitar/amp/fingers. All the mixing and what not probably equated to similar things he did in the video
+James Russo That's a real good point. I've often wondered what the raw guitar sounded like, both in the room, and on tape before any additional work was done. I've heard mention that Michael Anthony has said it was a good deal brighter in the room than on record, and perhaps a little less compressed. (That also may be complete hearsay for all I know.) It is very interesting to hear the isolated, post production guitar tracks here on youtube -- to me they sound a good deal "smaller" than they do in context with the full mix. Not that they sound bad! But they take up less sonic territory than I always imagined. It goes to show you the art and science of mixing and engineering things...it's fascinating. And then of course, there's just the unbelievable talent that Eddie had, which is a whole other endless topic.
When you go that far for an exact sound, you are chasing ghosts. Personally, there is a sweet spot where its obvious the sound has the right character. When you chase the "exact" sound, there is no winning. Even if you possess a master tape, what are you using to replay that tape? What room are you in? It is always impossible to achieve a perfect match because everyone listening is getting a different sound.What I just heard is very different from what every single person listening heard. He did what his title described... get an EVH sound in 10 (well 14) minutes. He should have added... using a Les Paul with very different pickups. If any of us learned anything, a good user of a Fractal can get damn near exactly what they want. Buy ONE thing and emulate amp, cabs, effects, etc. and have it all. Amazing really. Anyone on a budget should buy the Ax FX and a PA system. You would have to spend more than 10 times the amount using classic gear and still not have the full range of possibilities. There is a reason why nearly ever major band out there is switching to modeling amps (most use Fractal) for live gigs. The real thing requires an exact room, with a genius sound engineer and an amp set particularly high (loud). I'm dumping all my classic gear because of how amazing this thing is.
Yeah because Eddy became one of the greatest guitar players of all times by dialing in his sound in 10 minutes! It takes dedication and skill and hard work to be an original!
I think you missed the point of the video. It was to show how to get an in-the-ballpark tone using the Axe-Fx, not how to find your sound in ten minutes.
+Daniel Furlong Thanks! To answer your question, I only have the Axe Fx so I'm not an authority here. The AX8 has the same modeling, so I would expect the tone to be identical (though the amount of processing is slightly different). The FX8 is effects only, and my understanding is that it is exceptional, though I have not had a chance to use one.
+JayOneAlumni Hmmm....I don't recall. I've changed around my setup several times since I recorded this. I think I was out to my interface -- cheap Audiobox USB 2-input thing -- and then to the Mac. I've done it both ways, and I can't tell a difference in tone.
OOOMMMGGGG that TONE!!! haahahahah I was wondering how long did it take for you to figure this out, because it doesnt look easy, theres a lot of tweaking...
It took a little time, for sure. But I had fun doing it. It's worth noting that if you listen to this, then check out the VH isolated videos here on RU-vid, you can hear exactly how far off I really am! EVH was the tone master.
It was an attempt to place the guitar sound and reverb in different locations in the stereo field. I don't know if what I did was correct or not, but you can see me put the guitar and the reverb in different speakers split R/L towards the end of the vid. Trying to sound like the first records where the guitar was only in the one channel.
I can't -- I no longer have the Fractal! Sold it to fund some other gear purchases, but I'll get another some day. For now, if you scroll up, I gave some quick instructions as to how I would start building this patch with the latest firmware. I found that as they refined the firmware, it became easier and easier.
You should tune down... Eddie generally tuned down to drop Db (tune down 1/2 step and then tune the 6th string down a whole step)... creates a slightly heavier tone!
Yeah, and with the latest firmware, it's even easier I think. Here's what I would do. Choose a Plexi model. There's a ton in there, find one that gets you close. Add one of the IR's of a cab that uses greenbacks. There's a new greenback IR mix that came in a firmware update a few rev's ago. That one tends to work pretty well. Crank all B/M/T/P on the amp to like 9 or 10. Depends on your guitar. Keep master dimed, and turn up the gain to match Ed's levels. Now, adjust the transformer match down, and you'll hear the amp open up a little bit. Add reverb -- large plate. Mess with the size to match it close to the original. Pan the verb to one side and the amp to the other. You may also want to try putting a drive pedal *after* the cabinet. Set it to "tape drive" to simulate overdriving the analog tape, or the overdriving the input of the channel a little bit. Adjust the mix of this to add just a little sizzle and bite to match Ed's tone. Most important, have fun!
