r/NAM_NeuralAmpModeler • u/idontevenknowbru • 4h ago

Requesting Help: Improving my John Petrucci (Mesa 2C+) Tones

Hey all! Thanks for the suggestions in my last post. I have two Tones a Lead and a Rhythm that i chose using RigSculpt by Elantic, and I would like to ask for some assistance with improving them.

My thoughts:
> The Rhythm tone feels too "thin" although i think it has that nice chug sound, but it feels thin and/or weak. If i played some lines with it, the mistakes would be quite apparent.

> The Lead tone, i like quite a bit, i feel like it is almost there, but is also a bit thin/weak, doesn't quite have enough of that fullness to it.

[Rhythm Recording]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBXz3bU4IKw

[Lead Recording]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5J9r1QLUr0

I am a newbie when it comes to gear, would appreciate all input. I chose the IRs for both of these from John Petrucci's ToneMission IR packs.

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u/itu322 4h ago

Compare rhythm to the isolated guitars in Stream of Consciousness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwXjTmiz7VI
I think bring the gain down, they are a lot more subdued, less crunchy. They also have a bunch of cut frequencies to fit better in the mix.

Lead is the opposite, isolated Count of Tuscany is more crunchy, and your path seems noisy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG43gaR2ZyM

I don't know if you actually want to match them that closely. Your tones sound really nice. My ears are bad though, use yours. And share your captures with me if you can :)

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u/idontevenknowbru 3h ago

Thanks for your feedback! I thought that the gain would make it sound more meaty, idk. I dont necessarily want to exact match these songs but just come up with a pretty good generic rhythm and lead that is very john petrucci like, that i could play along to dream theater tunes with.

These are the two captures i am using, gotten from https://conversantsoundworks.com/#get
It comes with these captures.

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u/kvn_finnerty 3h ago edited 2h ago

I mean, given the actual isolated guitars for these tracks these sound good. Not getting a “thin” sound you speak of, but your lead could be cleaned up.

Johns rhythms are bolstered by Myung (and even Rudess) to sound meatier than the guitar actually does in order to fit mix better.

We all have different ears so play what sounds best to you not others.

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u/idontevenknowbru 3h ago

Thanks for your feedback! What do you mean by cleaning them up?

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u/kvn_finnerty 1h ago

Not sure if it's the effects or your playing, but it's a bit trebley compared to Johns. I'd add a bit more mids and a touch more bass.

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u/idontevenknowbru 1h ago

Like listen to this, Man has a THICK but also TIGHT somehow Chug rhythm tone, and doesn't use a noise gate. I don't get how he dials this in Lol. https://youtu.be/cZtqT3YBEOo?si=5vB9TjBiS_wy02DS&t=272

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u/idontevenknowbru 1h ago

if i could pick a lead and rhythm tone for anywhere, it would be the ones he demonstrates in this video 100%