Adam “Nolly” Getgood’s Impact on Modern Metal Production

Adam "Nolly" Getgood. If you're into modern metal, that name probably makes your ears perk up. Whether you know him as the former powerhouse bassist of Periphery, the meticulous producer behind some killer metal records, or the brains behind Getgood Drums, Nolly's influence on how modern metal sounds is undeniable. He's one of those guys who just gets it – that perfect blend of aggression, clarity, and punch that makes a metal track hit hard.

So, how does he do it? And more importantly, what can you learn from his approach to apply to your own productions? Let's dive into the world of Nolly and unpack some of the magic.

From Periphery's Low-End Master to Production Powerhouse

Nolly's journey is a perfect example of how the lines between musician, producer, and even developer are blurring in today's music scene. It’s a fantastic time to be a metal musician, largely because the internet and accessible technology have blown the doors wide open. You don’t need a major label deal or a million-dollar studio budget to create world-class music anymore; you need skill, dedication, and the willingness to learn – something Nolly embodies.

The Periphery Era: Redefining Metal Bass

As Periphery's bassist, Nolly wasn't just holding down the low end; he was an integral part of their sonic assault. His playing, often on his signature Dingwall NG2 and NG3 basses, was precise, articulate, and cut through notoriously dense djent mixes like a hot knife through butter.

His Tone Secrets?
A big part of Nolly's bass sound comes from meticulous DI blending and the strategic use of grit. Think crystal-clear sub-lows from one DI, combined with a parallel, heavily distorted signal (often courtesy of Darkglass Electronics pedals like the Microtubes B7K or Alpha Omega) that provides the midrange aggression and pick attack.

• Actionable Tip: Nolly-esque Bass Tone
  • Record two DI signals for your bass. One as clean as possible, the other through your favorite distortion pedal or plugin (like the Neural DSP Parallax or Darkglass Ultra plugins).
  • On the clean DI, use a steep low-pass filter (maybe around 80-120Hz with a FabFilter Pro-Q 3) to isolate the fundamental low-end. Compress it firmly to get a consistent foundation.
  • On the distorted DI, use a high-pass filter to remove competing low-end (start around 150-250Hz) and focus on the mids and highs that give you the grind and attack. You might even want to sculpt this with an EQ to tame fizz and enhance pick definition.
  • Blend these two signals to taste. The clean DI provides the weight, the distorted DI provides the character and cut.

Want to see how Periphery’s complex layers, including Nolly’s signature bass, come together in a mix? Check out the Periphery Nail The Mix session where you can grab the multi-tracks and watch the original producer break it all down.

The Producer's Chair: Nolly's Sonic Signature

Even while in Periphery, Nolly was heavily involved in the production side, eventually transitioning to a full-time producer and mixer. His productions are known for their immense clarity, punch, and modern sheen. He’s worked with bands like Architects, Animals As Leaders, and SikTh, always bringing that signature Nolly touch.

His mixes often feature:

• Pristine Drum Sounds: Clear, punchy, and dynamic.
• Articulate Guitars: Heavy but defined, avoiding muddiness.
• Present Bass: Audible and impactful, even alongside down-tuned guitars.
• Polished Vocals: Cutting through the mix without being harsh.

This level of clarity doesn’t happen by accident. It's about smart gain staging, surgical EQ (think FabFilter Pro-Q 3 for pinpoint adjustments), and controlled dynamics.

• Actionable Tip: Guitar Bus Sweetening
  • After you've EQ'd and compressed your individual rhythm guitar tracks, send them to a stereo bus.
  • On this guitar bus, try adding a touch of subtle saturation or an exciter plugin (like FabFilter Saturn 2 or Softube Saturation Knob). Use it sparingly – you're not looking for obvious distortion, but a little bit of harmonic enhancement that can help the guitars "glue" together and add a touch of aggression or "air" without boosting overall levels too much. A little goes a long way to make them feel more cohesive and exciting.

Getgood Drums: Changing the Game for Metal Mixes

One of Nolly's most significant contributions to the wider metal production community is undoubtedly Getgood Drums (GGD). Before GGD, getting pro-sounding drum samples that felt real and sat well in a mix could be a serious mission.

Why GGD Struck Gold

GGD libraries like Modern & Massive, P IV Matt Halpern Kit, or Invasion offer incredibly detailed, mix-ready drum samples that just work. They solved a huge problem for home studio producers and even pro mixers: instant access to world-class drum sounds without needing a perfectly tuned kit, an amazing room, and a locker full of expensive mics. This aligns perfectly with how recording technology has empowered musicians – the barrier to entry for professional-sounding recordings is lower than ever.

Dialing in GGD: Quick Tips for Massive Drums

The beauty of GGD is that the samples sound fantastic right out of the box, but their built-in mixers and routing options offer a ton of flexibility for mixing drums.

• Actionable Tip: Quick GGD Punch & Size
  • Kick: In the GGD mixer, start with the "Kick In" and "Kick Snr" (if available) faders. Blend in some "Kick Out" for more body and "Kick Sub" for that chest-thumping low-end. A common trick is to use a transient shaper like SPL Transient Designer or Native Instruments Transient Master on the kick channel to enhance the attack.
  • Snare: Combine "Snare Top" for crack and "Snare Bottom" for sizzle and body. Don't be afraid to EQ these individually before they hit the main snare fader. A bit of parallel compression on the snare bus can also work wonders.
  • Overheads & Rooms: This is where the size comes from! GGD's room samples are legendary. Blend them in to taste. Try compressing the room mics heavily (think 1176 "all buttons in" style, or a Distressor emulation) to bring out the sustain and ambience, then tuck that compressed signal under your main drum mix. GGD often has "OH C" (compressed overheads) or "Room C" (compressed rooms) faders – use them!
  • Bleed Control: GGD’s detailed bleed modeling is a game-changer. Use the "Bleed" controls in the advanced or instrument settings to dial in how much of each drum bleeds into other mics. This can add a ton of realism.

Nolly's Ethos: The Blueprint for Today's Metal Creator

Nolly isn't just a gear guy; he represents a modern approach to being a creator in metal. It's about wearing multiple hats, constantly learning, and embracing technology to realize your vision.

Embracing the Tech: From Bedroom Riffs to Studio Polish

Nolly is a prime example of the modern "Renaissance musician" – a killer bassist, a sharp producer, and an innovative developer. This echoes the sentiment that it's a great time to be in metal because technology has democratized the creation process. You can literally go from a riff idea in your bedroom using an amp sim like the Neural DSP Archetype: Nolly (which is fantastic, by the way) to a fully polished, release-ready track.

• Actionable Tip: Using Archetype: Nolly
  • For a tight, modern rhythm tone, try Amp 2 (the 5150-ish model) in Archetype: Nolly. Engage the built-in clean boost pedal (the "Precision Drive" style one) with the drive low and volume high. Select one of Nolly’s signature cab IRs (the Zilla Cabs or OwnHammer ones are great starting points). Use the "Tight" knob on the amp model itself – it's a game-changer for controlling low-end chug and palm-mute definition. Experiment with moving the virtual mics around on the cab section; small changes can have a big impact.

If you're looking to dive deep into how to leverage these modern tools and truly Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets, we've got a comprehensive guide to help you get there.

The Unrelenting Pursuit of "Good": EQ and Dynamics

Nolly's mixes sound clean and powerful because of his meticulous attention to detail, especially with EQ and compression. This isn't about slapping presets on everything. It's about understanding what each instrument needs to sit perfectly in the mix. Often, musicians say they want a "natural" sound, but the records they reference are heavily processed with precision – it's about achieving a feeling married with modern sonic clarity.

• Actionable EQ Tip: Carving Guitar Clarity

  • Guitars can easily get muddy or honky. Use a parametric EQ like FabFilter Pro-Q 3. Sweep with a narrow Q (bandwidth) in the 250Hz-800Hz range to find those boxy or resonant frequencies that are clouding up the guitars, and gently notch them out. Then, look for a spot in the 2kHz-5kHz range to add a touch of presence and pick attack if needed.
  • For more in-depth strategies, explore our EQ Strategies for Mixing Modern Metal.

• Actionable Compression Tip: Drum Bus Glue

  • On your main drum bus (where all your individual drum tracks are routed), try a VCA-style compressor (like Cytomic The Glue, an SSL Bus Compressor emulation, or even Logic Pro X’s stock Compressor in "Vintage VCA" mode).
  • Set a relatively slow attack (around 20-30ms) to let the initial transients through, and a fast release (100ms or auto-release if available). Aim for just 1-3dB of gain reduction on the loudest peaks. This shouldn't squash your drums but "glue" them together, making them feel more cohesive and punchy.
  • Mastering compression is key, so check out these Metal Compression Secrets to get beyond just making things loud.

Learning from the Best: The New Age of Metal Education

The bar for musicianship and production quality is higher than ever, partly because the access to education is unprecedented. Guys like Nolly didn't learn this stuff in a vacuum; it took years of dedication and learning. And now, you can learn directly from the pros.

Want to Mix Like Nolly? It Starts With The Fundamentals

Adam "Nolly" Getgood has undeniably left his mark on modern metal, not just through his music but by empowering countless others with the tools and inspiration to create incredible-sounding productions. His journey shows that with the right skills, mindset, and a willingness to embrace new technologies, you can achieve amazing results.

The techniques Nolly uses – smart DI blending, surgical EQ, controlled dynamics, and leveraging top-tier samples and amp sims – are all things you can learn and apply. It's about understanding why these techniques work and how to adapt them to your own music.

If you’re serious about taking your metal mixes to that Nolly-level of punch, clarity, and professionalism, imagine being a fly on the wall while world-class producers mix massive metal songs from scratch. At Nail The Mix, that’s exactly what you get. Every month, you receive the raw multi-tracks from a killer song and watch the original producer mix it, explaining every plugin, every decision, every single trick they use to get that polished, powerful sound. It’s the ultimate way to see how the pros craft those huge metal tones you love, from the ground up.