UAD Spotlight: How to Mix Huge Rock Guitars
The recipe for larger-than-life rock guitar tone.
Watch our rock mixing masterclass with Drew Mazurek and get a step-by-step overview of his guitar processing chain. With credits ranging from Foo Fighters to Jimmy Eat World, Drew reveals everything that goes into getting powerful, radio-ready guitar tones.
Start with Tape Saturation
The sound of analog tape is at the heart of every classic recording. Drew opts to recreate it directly in LUNA DAW, reaching for the Studer A800 multichannel tape extension. With the Ampex 456 tape model running at 15 IPS, it introduces subtle tape saturation and distinct harmonics to the guitar tracks.
Add Tone with an Analog Channel Strip
Next in the chain is the Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ.Here, Drew uses this single classic preamp emulation for both additional saturation and EQ. By pushing the input gain 10 dB and pulling the output fader down to compensate, Drew adds additional preamp coloration to the guitars. In addition, he employs the high-pass filter to carve out unnecessary low end.
"The Neve 1073 is great for adding saturation. And it works alongside other tape plug-ins in your chain."
Drew Mazurek
Be Bold with Equalization
Next comes the Pultec EQP-1A. Known for its tube warmth and sweeping EQ curves, Drew uses the well known “Pultec trick” by simultaneously boosting and cutting the low end to add weight. He also aggressively cuts unnecessary high end, while also boosting the upper midrange for extra bite and aggression.
Bring it All Together with Compression
The final plug-in in Drew’s guitar processing chain is the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor. Using it for both tone and subtle compression, this last unit adds the control and glue needed to take guitars to the next level.
Use Reverb to Taste
For the final piece of the puzzle, Drew gives two options to add space to the guitars in this track. First up, he uses Ocean Way Studios to give subtle depth and realism. If a more modern option is what you're after, he also showcases the AMS RMX16 for adding width and character.
— UA Staff
Related Articles
UAD Spotlight: Mixing Guitars with Reverb and Modulation
UAD Spotlight: How to Reamp in Your DAW
UAD Spotlight: How to Mix Drums Like a Pro With UAD Plug-Ins
*All trademarks property of their respective owners. Use of artist names does not constitute endorsement of Universal Audio products.
Get more articles delivered to your inbox
Read More
See All ArticlesHow iHeart's Ruby Studio Uses Apollo to Podcast at Scale
With iHeartMedia's studios across the country — and Apollo at the center of that workflow — Ruby has become one of the most prolific branded content operations in audio. We sat down with Matt Stillo, iHeartMedia's Senior Director of Audio, to talk about the secrets to making a great podcast.
EMT 140 & 250: Classic UAD Reverbs Explained
They’ve shaped the sound of records for decades. Now they’re available natively.
Origins of EMT Reverb
How reverb as an effect was pioneered and evolved into a creative sonic tool with endless possibilities.