Changing Guitar Sound (Distortion)

[kobra]

Hello
I got a Tascam 424 MKII Portastudio. The only mics I have are the lowest quality mics around. Is this the reason that I can get much difference in sound? All I play is barre chords with distortion on. I guess what I'm asking, in this idiotic way, is how do I get the best distorted guitar sound. Do I raise the amp volume and keep the input gain on the 4 track lower, or what? Also, should the attenuation (line/mic input) be higher than the fader volume, which should I be more concerned with?

 

[kobra]

Tone Question Too

Also,
Do I want to set the tone from my amp, and record with the tone knobs flat on the 4 track, and then change the tone on the mixdown, or what?
Thanks.

 

[vox]

When you turn up the gain on a channel input it also amplifies the self noise of the mixer, the sliding faders on the channels have a mark about 3/4 way up, this is the point at which the channel adds the least noise.

Set your amp so that your tone sounds good, use moderation about the amount of distortion, bass, treble and effects/reverb (if any) that you use.

Get down in front of the amps speaker and listen to which part of the speaker the amp sounds best from, put the mic there. The normal starting point for miking is usually 1 - 6 inches from the grill cloth.

Set your amps volume to a moderate level unless you are using a tube amp and need the tubes to 'talk' a bit, set the fader to the 3/4 mark and adjust the input trim of the channel till you gat a good level to tape, if you need to turn the input trim past halfway turn up your amp and try again.

It probably is best to record with the 4 tracks eq flat, but it isnt a 'set in stone rule'