Home Studio 2002: Getting Good Tone Direct-In?

[Inspired]

I'm new to computer recording on my own, and recently purchased CakeWalk's "Home Studio 2002." I'm real anxious to start recording with it, but I've had several problems that have hindered my progress, not to mention having to become familiar with using it.

My next main concern is getting a good sound from my guitar laid down. I've tried direct-in and everything sounds real stale right now. Home Studio only comes with a few effects and they aren't helping any. How should I go about getting good overdriven or clean tones. Direct-In, mic'd, amp modeler software, download effects, or what? Can someone help point me in the right direction?

For info, I've got a Creative Labs soundcard, and am using XP.

 

[brzilian]

I'm new to computer recording on my own, and recently purchased CakeWalk's "Home Studio 2002." I'm real anxious to start recording with it, but I've had several problems that have hindered my progress, not to mention having to become familiar with using it.

My next main concern is getting a good sound from my guitar laid down. I've tried direct-in and everything sounds real stale right now. Home Studio only comes with a few effects and they aren't helping any. How should I go about getting good overdriven or clean tones. Direct-In, mic'd, amp modeler software, download effects, or what? Can someone help point me in the right direction?

For info, I've got a Creative Labs soundcard, and am using XP.

The best approach to record guitars, regardless of which soundcard you have, is to run the guitar into a preamp and take that line level output and run that to your soundcard.

 

[moskus]

When I record acoustic guitars, I use a combination of micing and DI.
When I record el. guitars, I either mic my lovely Fender ProReverb or use my V-Amp 2 (amp. simulator).

When tracking el. guitars, my opinion would be: Don't use software! I've tried many guitar-suits that's supposed to make my direct recorded guitars sound good. They don't, though...