Writing the HEAVIEST RIFF EVER - Ep 1: Tuning Low

Hey everyone!
This is the first installment in my newest series, where we take a look at how to make the heaviest possible riff.
In this first video we'll test out various low tunings to see if lower equals heavier.

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0:00 Intro
3:15 Standard E
4:21 D
5:24 C
6:29 Baritone standard B
7:32 A
8:36 G
9:41 F
10:45 E one octave below

[benstokes]

I think it is also important to remember that many bands tune lower to accomodate the vocal ranges of their singers. I'm not a particularly gifted bass-baritone range singer, and I have trouble singing heavy stuff above C Standard Tuning. It's not always about tuning lower to "sound heavier". I think it just works out that way with the way some folks sing. I think B Standard is about as low as I want to go to maintain a bit a clarity. It really does get too muddy for be below that.

[BennyKuleczka]

C and B sound great. A is the lowest reasonably tuning for this type of riffing IMO. Below that it's a mud and all the dynamics are lost. It's pretty much as you said before experiment. On the other hand these riffs gained a lot of character when tuned down just 2 steps (or even 1 step) Your facial expression confirms this ;)

[dronehymns]

I think it started getting too muddy for the tremolo parts below C standard. The rest of the riff sounded fine down to A.

[eggpod]

I love it, all the way until you get to about G. Then, it kind of starts sounding muddy.
Even on my 8. I dont really down tune it too far. For the sake of the top strings.

If you look up "Internal Darkness by shrine of Malice"
Theres a guitar cover on that song and it's literally just in standard tuning. Except for the top two strings.
The 7th is in A and the 8th string is in E.

Sounds brutal as shit. I almost think it is a matter of preference, feel, and a few other things.
But, as far as down tuning to sound heavy. I think it's just a matter of how you utilize your instrument.
Each tuning definitely does add its own spice to the mix though.

[benstokes]

Thanks for the great videos! Where are you from in Germany? I lived in Weisbaden/Mainz area from 2001-2003 in the US Military. I lived off base in a flat in Neuhof (Taunusstein) on Carl-Benz Strasse. :D I still remember that. I sure do miss my Getränkemarkt still! LOL! I traveled to quite a few towns and cities while I was there.

[gregorsamsa]

how high can we go??

that black metal riff was sick though