Too much "twang" for Rock?

[tonyalexa]

I've owned RealStrat since shortly after it's release and I'm finding it to be very thin, even when trying to EQ it. It has too much "twang" and sounds more like a Telecaster to me. It works OK for some clean and slightly gritty sounds in some genres (country for example), but not where distortion is the key. The type of sound used in the Jimi Hendrix Voodoo and Heavy Guitar demos work OK, but that isn't always the sound I need.

I guess what I'd like to ask MusicLab is whether or not a less "sharp" version will be added to RealStrat? I've tried using it with many different amp simulators, such as Guitar Rig 2 and 3, the amp sim in Cubase 4 (which is actually very good), and Amplitube. While the articulations and playability are fantasic and the best I've worked with, the thin sound isn't working with my amp sims as well as the other guitar emulation products I own (which I won't mention here).

The second question is whether or not there will be a Les Paul version?

Anyway, since I'm here, check out demos of production music I've written with parts from both RealStrat and RealGuitar. They're at www.reverbnation.com/tonyalexander1. All the acoustics are RealGuitar, but only a few of the clean electric guitar are RealStrat.

[Sergey_MusicLab]

tonyalexa,

1. That's real Stratocaster sound recorded from pickups.

There are several options in RS to make sound less sharp:

- diminish or switch off Pick Noise sound (Mixer->Noises->Pick slider/LED)
- move Accent sliders to the right (use higher velocity values)
- move Attack slider to the left (use shorter attack time)
- use higher Fret Position (closer to the bridge)
- move Pick Position to the left (use negative values)

2. Just thinking about Les Paul version in future...

Regards,
Sergey
_________________
MusicLab Support.

[tonyalexa]

Thanks Sergey. I had already being using all of the tips provided except moving the fret position. The fret position change did the trick. It sounds much better and that will most likely make it my guitar of choice overall. It's so much more intuitive to play than your competition and the control over articulations is unmatched.

I trusted that RealStrat is based on samples from a Strat and not a Tele, but it seemed to be a little thinner than I'm used to hearing for a sampled Strat. The other products I use were recorded through amps as opposed to direct recordings. Perhaps that's the difference to my ears. I also didn't realize the fret position would make a that much of a difference on a sampled guitar and hadn't got around to using it. My other products don't have that, so it's a welcome difference.

[Sergey_MusicLab]

tonyalexa,

You are right - changing fret position changes the sound very much. As you can see guitar players use higher frets for soloing, avoiding open strings and close to open frets. That would be impossible to get with guitar samples without such option as Fret Position implemented in our RealStrat/ RealGuitar. Note that you can switch off Auto Position (automatically following your performance) and use automation to select various positions along with the song, or simply right click on a fretboard to move virtual Capo to the fret you like the sound.

Regards,
Sergey
_________________
MusicLab Support.

[zumbido]

Sounds like real Stratocasters to me:

Nowhere Man Solo

I see/hear this happening more and more... people that have never heard the real instrument - only samples.

RealStrat sounds just like my real Strat.

Now, if we could just get RealP-Bass...


_________________
RealStrat and a '59 Bassman.

[SyQuEsT]

[Sergey_MusicLab]

[zumbido]

"Great example - is RealStrat used on it?"

Two instances of RealStrat (i.e., John & George parts), one instance of RealGuitar (John part).

Nowhere Man Solo

Also heard; a bass sample from GigaStudio (one of my favorite McCartney bass parts) and BFD for the drums.

Both RealStrats through GuitarRig - I slightly panned the two RealStrats apart.

Simple MIDI part. First, I typed in the notes. Next, made a copy to a second MIDI track. Then, I 'humanized' the note placements and velocities of both MIDI tracks. Finally, sent each MIDI track over to a corresponding instance of RealStrat (i.e., two instances).

Used a single 'Slide Down' and a Key Switch for the ending harmonic.

Keep it simple.

****

A little history: Fender gave John and George matching Strats (circa 1965) to get them to change from Rickenbacker and Vox gear. They immediately used them during the 'Rubber Soul' sessions.

Later, George painted his Strat to become 'Rocky' (circa 1967).

From the 'I Am the Walrus' video.


_________________
RealStrat and a '59 Bassman.

[Sergey_MusicLab]

zumbido,

Thanks for example and details. Great work.

Note, you can create double tracking with RealStrat by simply setting different Pick Position values for two instances - that will give you various samples sounding simultaneously in L/R tracks even if MIDI part is exactly identical

Regards,
Sergey
_________________
MusicLab Support.

[zumbido]

"Note, you can create double tracking with RealStrat by simply setting different Pick Position values for two instances - that will give you various samples sounding simultaneously in L/R tracks even if MIDI part is exactly identical"

Thanks! I'll try that.

This won't vary the 'note on' or 'velocities', or will it?

I would think not (I haven't tried it yet). But, a combination of everything (humanizing, varying, different pick positions, different amps, etc.) would create a very musical doubling.

And, for the truly anal (i.e., me)... tweak/vary the 'note off' values of both parts, add dabs of slight vibrato on some of the long notes, and get more fret noise into the performance - in other words, add some slop.


_________________
RealStrat and a '59 Bassman.

[Sergey_MusicLab]

zumbido,

You are absolutely right!

Regards,
Sergey
_________________
MusicLab Support.

[tonyalexa]

[zumbido]

tonyalexa,

Don't take things so personal.

I REALLY do come across a LOT of people that have not heard the real thing.

Also, the same Strat in the hands of different musicians will sound different.

I suppose that also goes for RealStrat.

I'm with you as far as hoping for a Les Paul version, as well as a P-Bass version, too.
_________________
RealStrat and a '59 Bassman.