So how do they make it all it fuzzy n' shit?

[Mutineer]

It is essential to my learn thank you.

Love,
Cameron

[auxiliaryoctopus]

Robert posted a story in Optical Atlas once that mentioned Jeff using a Big Muff live, which is what it sounds like to me. I suspect a lot of the fuzzy guitars on the recordings are just from pushing the signal into the red,

[SlowCoreSadness]

big muff's will do the trick, but, yeah, i've always preferred maxing out the input volume.
have you read the aeroplane book yet? robert goes into the details of how he recorded the album, it's really interesting.

[Aqualad]

yeah, maxing out the mics themselves, not the line-ins or whatever.

[kartoonz]

Originally posted by Aqualad
yeah, maxing out the mics themselves, not the line-ins or whatever.

I remember him saying that, and I took note of it, but I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what he meant. Can anyone clue me in?

[pogoniasis]

The specific Big Muff that Jeff used live was one of the old green sovtek ones from the 80s. I've seen some pictures where he is using one. They're pretty rare now and go for decent money on eBay.. They sound very different to the reissues.

[glovguy]

I read in the aeroplane 33(1/3) book, that aeroplane used entirely studio distortion, no pedals. Like Aqualad said, it was all just maxed it out. I believe it was made by pumping up the pre-amp and recording it on tape; the tape maxed out and made it fuzz.

I just use a distortion pedal. I boost my pre-amp, but it doesn't have the same effect on an amp than it does on a tape.

[ispeakhopelandic]

the clipping of things like mic pre-amps and compressors on many tracks of IAAOTS gave the song that it has. that is, drums, horns, saws, combine that with some acoustic reverb and you on your way.

[soniclovenoize]

Originally posted by pogoniasis
The specific Big Muff that Jeff used live was one of the old green sovtek ones from the 80s. I've seen some pictures where he is using one. They're pretty rare now and go for decent money on eBay.. They sound very different to the reissues.
I have one of those, very good sounding. I use it for fuzz bass...

[Ben]

how do you "max out" mics and things?

[myleftfoot]

does anyone have the Tape Op Neutral Milk Hotel interview scanned or typed up, or have a link to it? I've always been curious to read it, but I didn't start reading Tape Op until after that issue.

[glovguy]

Originally posted by Ben
how do you "max out" mics and things?
just increase the volume and pre-amp (it's amplified a little before it's amplified again)-it just means it's coming through the cords strong.
You gotta be careful what you max out, though, you could break things.

[blasticpubble]

Originally posted by myleftfoot
does anyone have the Tape Op Neutral Milk Hotel interview scanned or typed up, or have a link to it? I've always been curious to read it, but I didn't start reading Tape Op until after that issue.

I can't help you there (I want to read it too), but I'd like to add that if anyone could do the same with the OTC article about the recording of Black Foliage, that would be much appreciated.

[nineteensixtyseven]

Yeah, as said above I think it is just guitar or whatever instrument into the mic into a tube pre-amplifier then that goes straight into the desk and peaks causing that warm fuzz. I'd love to try it.

[Stormx]

apart from the tube pre-amp is there anything special about that arrangement?