Guys, I'm having problems getting the guitar to cut through in the mix, particularly overdriven sounds. I'm finding that I have to really crank up solos (even then it still sounds lost) then really drop the volume for the other parts. I'm happy with my guitar tones in isolation, they sound great through the L1 on their own.

I'm using L1 M2 T1 2B1,
Backing tracks via iPad2
Yamaha SG2000 (humbuckers) through Boss ME-70, using Pod T1 preset.

Any thoughts/observations/ideas?

Johnny.

Hi Johnny,

I've had what I sense is the same experience: Sounds good in isolation, but gets lost in the mix. This was not unique to the L1®.

I have found generally, that to be heard in a mix, I need to go a guitar sound that actually sounds almost too bright, and a lot cleaner than suits me in isolation.

Have you tried the Electric Guitar Presets in your T1®? I find them a little bright, in isolation but they do cut through a mix and sound much better in the context of a band.

Yamaha SG2000 - Very cool. I would try all the Electric Guitar Presets - but start with Gibson Les Paul, Ibanez Artist, PRS Custom 22.

Also so try General Direct.

Even if you've tried them before, give them another listen.

Does that help?

Hi Johnny,

Try running your ME-70 through the base of the L1 using the modeling in the unit. I've had great success with this.

Randy

ST and Randy, thanks for your thoughts.

ST, I went through all the presets, I get what you're saying about going brighter, it definitely cuts through better. Les Paul and General Direct seemed to have the best results, but I wasn't really comfortable with the tone.

I prefered the tone direct into the power stand, well, I think I did, my ears had gone by that point. Also, it's not easy to mix (I'm using the T1 on the mic stand).

I'll give it another blast tomorrow night, and keep tweaking.

Cheers.

Hi Johnny Wildheart,

Here is another thought - does you band go nuts when you're soloing? I used to be in a band that would all go kind of crazy during my solos. I think that they were trying to convey their excitement and in so doing, they would all play LOUDER. This was before my L1® days. It didn't matter what I did at my end, the band was inadvertently conspiring to bury me.

So I'm wondering if your band is doing the same thing; getting all revved up to show their support and excitement for your solo, but inadvertently burying you. I ask people who are playing with me, to leave as much room for my solos as they do for a lead vocal.

Does this resonate for you?

Hi ST,

I see where you're coming from, but it's not relevant in this case as I'm doing the solo thing using backing tracks. (With my previous metal bands we all went crazy at it from start to finish, but then we'd hire big PA's with individual monitors. I'm heading in a completely different direction now self-contained M.O.R covers with BT's, but some old guitar habits die hard!)

Cool SG link!

One of my friends is mastering all my backing tracks, (to make the EQ and volume a bit more uniform), he's going to scoop some mid range out of the B/T's for the sections with guitar solos, I'm hoping this will help.