recording guitar

[thenextbigthing]

I want to know how I can Record my guitar sound on to my computer and it not sound so shitty. I have this software (MIX CRAFT) and it sux. Is there any bad ass recording software that gets my almighty real guitar sound, instead of cheap Crappy poor recorded sound. Can anyone describe some of there ways, for an example, there setup they use to record music, and get great quolity sound.

 

[rayc]

Some ability to play - OK Guitar - reasonable cable - nice sounding amp - adequate Microphone - reasonable pre - audio dedicated soundcard - almost any recording software.
Mic placement (takes experiemntation) git & amp settings (don't sound the same when recorded - have to be set up to achieve the sound).
Have fun - most folk are still trying - check out Greg L or RAMI or Ido1957 in the MP3 mixing clinic for some folk who consistently geta good sound. Lots of other usually do - me - never.

 

[castlerock]

gotta go with rayc here. i record direct from a tonelab and the guitar sounds are ok but it doesn't sound half as good as it does coming out of my amp's speakers. a good mic is next on my wish list. that's a cheaper option than a tonelab or a pod too, especially if you already like your guitar tone.

 

[metalhead28]

Dude, the software does not dictate the sound you're capturing. All the equipment feeding your software is what you need to be worried about.

I don't claim to get great sound quality, but I keep it simple. I just dial in the amp, stick a mic in front of it, plug it into a decent mic pre, plug the pre into my interface, hit record and try not to sound like an idiot. Actually, everything up to "hitting record" is already established in my room so I just do the last part these days. Anyway, If you can do that without fucking anything up the sound will be pretty good. "Not fucking it up" means getting the mic in a good spot, using a tone that records well, and recording at good levels. Once you get something "good", you start pulling out all the stops to try and get something "great". You're never going to start with great.

 

[Superhuman]

Re great software, download Reaper for free (make a contribution to the developers if you like it) at http://reaper.fm/download.php
You won't find anything close to it in quality for the money;-)

When you get that set up and understand how to lay tracks and record then post back for free guitar related VST links (compressors, effects, distortions etc) - there are hundreds out there - some crap and some really good. Got some great links here in the past.

No point trying to think about a good sound without being pretty GOOD at playing guitar, also you need good gear as cables and pointed out above - most importantly, you need a GOOD soundcard. plugging direct from the headpohones out on your amp to an 1/8th inch jack into an onboard AWE32 soundcard will sound shit even if you are Steve Vai.

 

[pohaku]

Umm. Assuming that your guitar actually sounds the way you want it to in the room (if it doesn't, that's a whole nother issue), what mics, preamp and soundcard are you using? There are many options available which will get you decent sound and probably as many that won't. If you are considering buying gear to do this, how much do you want to spend? You will get a lot of different suggestions depending on your budget and existing equipment.

 

[jonnyc]

I think we all need to know a little bit more about how you're currently recording. Are you just plugging your guitar into your comp and hitting record? Are you using a modeler or amp direct in? Do you do multiple takes? Give us more info.