Jim Root recently shared his thoughts on modern metal and why he continues to favor analog amplifiers over modelers like the Quad Cortex, emphasizing how some current metal is overly polished for his taste.
In today’s music industry, tools have made it possible to achieve perfectly polished records, with every detail meticulously refined. While this level of precision is often sought after for complex and intricate music, not all musicians are fans of this perfection. Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt previously commented on how the overly “quantized” and “perfect” sound of modern metal records doesn’t feel right, and Slipknot’s Jim Root seems to share that sentiment.
In a recent interview with The Captain of Andertons Music (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar), Root explained his perspective on the current state of metal:
“When I listen to some modern metal, I can’t… It’s hard for me to really wrap my head around a lot of modern metal music because it’s so edited perfectly. And if you’re a math metal guy, if you’re into prog, it’s probably amazing for you. But for me, I know that they’re in the studio, and they’re cutting that waveform right to where the drum beat is, and they’re lining it up perfectly.”
He continued, “It’s great that we have those tools, to be able to do that. For people that are into that, it’s cool, but that’s just not really my vibe.”
Root’s preference for a more organic sound is why he doesn’t envision himself recording an entire album with digital tools like the Neural DSP Quad Cortex. He values the analog sound in the music he creates, saying:
“I have a Quad Cortex at home next to my Pro Tools rig. I was using plugins, ‘cause, again, it’s a tool. If there happens to be an effect in the Quad Cortex [that may fit], I’ll use it, but I can’t see myself actually using a Quad Cortex to record a record with.”
Root further explained his reasons for this choice, noting that he often uses multiple amplifiers during recording:
“Not when we’ve got so many amps available. Sometimes, when we record an album, I might use four different amplifiers. Not saying that this can’t do it, but I can tell the difference between an analog, recorded tube amplifier and a processed simulator like this.”
For Root, the natural, analog feel is crucial, especially when it comes to capturing the essence of the sound on tape:
“When it’s captured on tape, and you’re under that microscope, it’s very important to have that natural, analog feel. Even transferring from tape to Pro Tools, Logic, and things like that was kind of weird for me. When it starts sounding so clean, polished, and edited, it tends to sound really unnatural to me. As much nature as we can keep, that’s very important to me.”
Related Topics
- Maine Musician Reclaims Stolen Drums in Elaborate Sting Operation
- DRUM TAO to Kick Off European Tour in Spring 2025
- Rhodes Music to Showcase Innovations at The 2025 NAMM Show: MIDI MK8 Piano, New 61-Key Stage Piano, and Custom Shop Launch
