Enter Sandmann / Metallica

Actually I am not at all a Heavy Metal fan and guitar player.

But Enter Sandman is an awesome song and a challenge for every guitar player / band, if the song is going to be well performed.

With Songs on that calibre I like to record to dive into them. This is a smart way to learn them AND to gain sometimes a quite reasonable recording at the end.

I have used a playback for the recording containing Vocals, Bass and Drums. The playback sounds good to me and it is free of charge:

http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/play/metallica/enter_sandman_%283%29.htm


The first part is recorded with the 6-string Acoustic Model Gibson J-200 on my James Tyler Variax JTV69. I have used a little Flanger and Chorus as effects.

For the Rhytm guitar and Leadpart I am using the Soldano Overdrive Full Amp Modell of my Line6 POD HD500 with standard cab/mic. For later Live performance I will use the Pre Amp Models and my DT50/212.

I have experienced that my live presets usually are quite different to recording presets, because this actually a different level of acoustic challenges. The guitar model for these parts are played with the Lester-1.

For the Rhytmn-part I have used a 20ms delay on one channel post amp and a little Chorus (Dimension - SW2+3 are off and with 15% mix).

In front of the amp I am using my standard distortion pedal Screamer with a Drive at 35%, both for Rhytmn and Leadpart.

I have EQed the Rhytmn guitar in Cubase to achieve a good sound balance between Bass and guitar.

The recording was done with my Line6 POD HD500, an audiointerface and Cubase recording software.

The Leadpart with a Wah-Wah (Wheeper) is more improvised and somehow a Quick&Dirty recording. Some licks are from the original. But this mix of having some choatic wildness is what this song actually needs, I guess. The original solo sounds also heavily imrprovised to me. So I think it is ok not to play very hard along the Original track.

The Scales for the Leadparts are typical Heavy metal (as far I can see with my limited knowledge of Heavy metal music and guitar playing):

- Em Aeolean-Mode
- F# Phrygian-Mode


http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=12043949&q=hi&newref=1


I am interesseted in any feedback to the sound and playing style. Especially in the Rhytmn- and Leadpart guitar sound, because this is not my natural home base.

Thanks for reading and listening.

wolbai

Hey Wolbai,

As a Metallica-fan myself I had to reply ofcourse! I really enjoyed your cover!

I also use guitarbackingtrack.com a lot. It has some great free backing tracks, otherwise I'm usually using Youtube.

Enter Sandman was one of the first song I learned on guitar but I didn't actually learn to solo so my feedback maybe a little dull lol. I thought your tone and sound were fantastic! The intro guitar sounded great and the rhythm guitar also had a solid tone. The solo however, matched Kirk Hammett's sound perfectly in my opinion! What a great sound.

I personally enjoyed your version of the solo, so keep up the good work.

I'm not that good at giving useful feedback but just wanted to let you know.

JJ

Hi JJ90,

thanks for your well meaning feedback!

Guitar sound for recording and Live-Giging is different:

I have got some good tips from other forums how to achieve a "wall of sound" with the Rhythm guitar recording: I had 6 guitar tracks for the Rhytm part by just copying the first track; they are panned in the stereo panorama with slightly different EQs. That gives you a rich Metal tone for the Rhythm part.

For Live-giging with my Band ( I am the only guitar player) I try to produce this "wall of sound" with a little delay (20ms) on the 2nd channel of my POD HD500. And I am using a little chorus effect post amp.

Any additional tips for recording and / or Live performance for Heavy Metal from other Users are still very welcome.

wolbai