best way to record guitar?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dalius
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Dalius

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Hey guys, I'm wondering what the best way to record a guitar onto my computer is.

I have a MIDI controller/Audio interface combo, would it be a good idea to plug the guitar directly into that and record? Or do I need an amp? Or is there software-based amps like soft-synths, or should I just point a mic at the amp? I'm just wondering what the best way to get the best quality sound from a guitar is and recording it. Also, any recommended progams to record onto? Thanks in Advanced!
 
I assume you mean electric guit?

Micing the cab is the best way, direct recording, even with a POD is something of a compromise. If you do go direct you'd need some sort of impedance matching device (DI box, amp modeller etc). The output of your average guitar pickup is pretty weedy.

For recording software I like Cubase SE, lots to choose from though.

If you need to go DI and create the electric guitar sound in the comp this suite of plug-ins is pretty good, especially the JCM 900 model:

http://www.simulanalog.org/guitarsuite.htm
 
Kevin DeSchwazi said:
I assume you mean electric guit?

Micing the cab is the best way, direct recording, even with a POD is something of a compromise. If you do go direct you'd need some sort of impedance matching device (DI box, amp modeller etc). The output of your average guitar pickup is pretty weedy.

For recording software I like Cubase SE, lots to choose from though.

If you need to go DI and create the electric guitar sound in the comp this suite of plug-ins is pretty good, especially the JCM 900 model:

http://www.simulanalog.org/guitarsuite.htm
Click to expand...

So a DI is basically an emulated AMP? Do they work like VST and plug into programs like Cubase?
 
No they're two diferent things.

DI means Direct Injection and in simple terms it refers to the process of matching impedance so the output of your source (guitar) is matched to the input of your recording device (audio interface). It also balances the signal but there's no need to go into that now. You can get DI boxes which just do this task or you can get microphone preamps, mixers and guitar effect/amp modelling units which also have DI inputs. These are also sometimes called instrument inputs or hi Z inputs. Check to see if your interface has a DI input already.

Amp simulation is something completely different. I think where the confusion lies here is that like I said above most hardware Amp simulation/efffect boxes for guitar (like the POD and Behringer V-Amp) work as DI boxes as well.

The amp/pedal simulation software I linked to are all vst effects so to use those you'd record your guitar through a direct box or DI input and then add the plug in as a vst effect on the guitar track insert in your recording software.

Having said all that it's best to mic the amp. :D
 
Alright, well I'm still a total newb...lay it on me guys, what would I need to record an amp? Keep in mind that the only computer equipment I have is my audio interface/midi controller
 
You will need a mic and a preamp to plug into your interface. A good start would be an M-Audio DMP3, and a Shure SM57. These are both well liked around here, and seem to do a great job. I don't actually have a DMP3, but am working on getting one right now! The 57 is a great workhorse mic, I have done very well with it on electric guitar.

:)
 
tourettes5139 said:
You will need a mic and a preamp to plug into your interface. A good start would be an M-Audio DMP3, and a Shure SM57. These are both well liked around here, and seem to do a great job. I don't actually have a DMP3, but am working on getting one right now! The 57 is a great workhorse mic, I have done very well with it on electric guitar.

:)
Click to expand...
I'd second that. There are more options if you have a lot of money but those are good choices if you're on a budget.

In fact by all accounts the SM-57 has been used to mic cabs in some big studios and on some big albums.

If you really need just the one channel (the DMP-3 is dual channel) then the studio projects VTB-1 mic pre is worth a look as well.
 
I always mic my cab with a marshall mxl 900 threw a tascam us 122 into sonar. The hardest thing for me is getting gool levels without peaking out. I have my amp pretty low and the mic volume at about 3/4. Every time I hit a string hard do a bend or whatever I peak out. If I turn down the mic Its too low. Also is it best to use the instrument condencer mic or the omni directional one? And is there a good distance to place the mic from the amp?
 
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