What should my guitar waveform look like?

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StevenMikel
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2010/12/03 11:49:49 (permalink)

What should my guitar waveform look like?

  I've set all of my levels properly and recorded a guitar track but,the waveform looks kind of weak compared to the drum track.They sound good together though.I'm sure I did everything right,I'm just wondering what the waveform of a properly recorder guitar track should look like.
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    RobertB
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    Re: What should my guitar waveform look like? 2010/12/03 22:03:02 (permalink)
    It should look something like the waves in the diagrams here:
    http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1519608

    You will see variations, depending on what you are playing, and your style, but you should see waves peaking in the -6 to -12 range. It's ok to go a little hotter, but watch for clipping.
    If you are not seeing at least that, you can boost your gain before the signal gets to GT. You cannot adjust recording levels with the program itself.

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    Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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    StevenMikel
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    Re: What should my guitar waveform look like? 2010/12/03 22:36:25 (permalink)
    Thanks Rob.that thread helped ALOT.
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    StevenMikel
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    Re: What should my guitar waveform look like? 2010/12/03 23:25:48 (permalink)
     I found out I didn't have everything set up the right way.I have a Guitarport and a M-Audio MobilePre USB for getting my signal to GTP4.I'm not sure how to set them up to get the results I need.I tried putting a eq pedal set flat with the output boosted in front of the Guitarport and got a slightly better signal but not in the -6 to -12 range,I'll have to do some more homework on this.Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.
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    RobertB
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    Re: What should my guitar waveform look like? 2010/12/04 00:04:53 (permalink)
    Just play with it some.
    Your tone starts with the guitar controls, so don't compromise those for more volume.
    I believe the Guitarport is an interface(?) as well as the Mobile Pre.
    Check your manuals Make sure you are using the correct impedance (Lo-Z/Hi-Z) for your guitar.
    Set your bit depth to 24, and sample rate to 44,100 . You can use higher rates, but it is arguably unnecessary.
    You should have some software controls with the Mobile Pre(I think).
    This is where you set the levels coming into GTP4.
    If your levels are a bit on the shallow side, but sound good don't sweat it.
    Try some extreme adjustments.
    Plan on trashing a track or two (ok, maybe more). I killed plenty before I started finding the right balance.
    You'll know it when you find the sweet spot for your setup.

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