Recording guitar

[guitargodd6]

I usually use my Boss BR-900CD or GarageBand a lot, sometimes Reaper. But anyway I usually use my DigiTech RP-500 to record with my own presets, is that not what everyone else does? I've tried Guitar Rig and I like a couple of presets it has but when I go to record lead guitar it just doesn't cut it, doesnt have enough distortion at all.

My Digitech sounds pretty good but it doesn't sound as "in your face" as I want it to.

So what does everyone use to record their guitar work?

 

[Vhyle]

I usually use my Boss BR-900CD or GarageBand a lot, sometimes Reaper. But anyway I usually use my DigiTech RP-500 to record with my own presets, is that not what everyone else does? I've tried Guitar Rig and I like a couple of presets it has but when I go to record lead guitar it just doesn't cut it, doesnt have enough distortion at all.

My Digitech sounds pretty good but it doesn't sound as "in your face" as I want it to.

So what does everyone use to record their guitar work?

I've used a Digitech RP150 quite extensively. I've used it to record both Algarothsyum (my solo instrumental metal project) releases - the 5-track demo, and the full-length album "Wastelander's Epoch".

Give the album a listen here - Wastelander's Epoch | Algarothsyum
All of the guitars and the bass were recorded through the Digitech RP150 (the drums are programmed). Lots of different tones and effects that I've set in the processor. And on the old demo "Spiraling to Realization", I recorded everything with the same Digitech, including the V-drums.

I'm recording with my actual amp now, however. I still utilize the RP150 as a recording interface, and of course for its tons of effects. But the actual rhythm and lead tones are now taken care of with the amp.

 

[GONZO-X]

USE A REAL AMP.

i mean, if you love recording electric guitar, how can you not love the challenge of trying to capture a moment in time, with an absolutely dialed-in amp tone, with a nice guitar, at a nice aggressive volume?

i've never found a modeler that is able to hang with that approach.

 

[mjbphotos]

On my first CD all the electric guitars were tracked through Line 6 Gearbox or PodFarm. For the CD I'm working on now, they are all though my Spider 75, but using the DI output, not micing the speaker.
It's all bout getting the sound/tone you want and like, not how you get it.

 

[Greg_L]

I've use sims and real amps with succes, I think so anyway. I prefer real amps by a mile, but some sims are pretty good. Digitech units do not make my good list.

 

[Vhyle]

If you dedicate a LOT of time into tweaking your processor/amp sim, you can get some really satisfactory tones out of it. You just have to spend a lot of time tweaking, and tweaking, and tweaking some more. I'm fairly satisfied with the tone on my album, but it's not perfect to me. It works pretty well for what the music calls for. But now that I'm using an actual amp to record, this new tone is MUCH better.

On my first CD all the electric guitars were tracked through Line 6 Gearbox or PodFarm. For the CD I'm working on now, they are all though my Spider 75, but using the DI output, not micing the speaker.
It's all bout getting the sound/tone you want and like, not how you get it.

Hah, that's exactly my setup. Line 6 Spider II, DI into the Digitech. It's a 150w, 75w/75w stereo, so I'm assuming the phones/direct out jack is 75w?

 

[WarmJetGuitar]

In most cases I'm using my old Vox amp at loud volumes, a dynamic mic on the edge of the speaker and a few inches away from the cab (to get a more airy sound compared to the harsher sound of close micing) and record to tape. Gives me the sound I like.

On rare occasions I use a condenser placed far from the amp to capture a nice room sound.

I also find playing through two amps at once with weird mic placements can sound really interesting.

 

[DrewPeterson7]

I've use sims and real amps with succes, I think so anyway. I prefer real amps by a mile, but some sims are pretty good. Digitech units do not make my good list.

Yeah, same here. I've been really impressed with the AxeFXII lately for some of the mid-gain and clean sounds it can do, but not to the point where I'm going to go through the trouble of selling my Mesa rig for a more convenient recording solution. Besides, the hassles and challenges of micing up a guitar amp are half the fun.

 

[Track Rat]

USE A REAL AMP.

i mean, if you love recording electric guitar, how can you not love the challenge of trying to capture a moment in time, with an absolutely dialed-in amp tone, with a nice guitar, at a nice aggressive volume?

i've never found a modeler that is able to hang with that approach.

^^^This^^^

 

[Sonixx]

So what does everyone use to record their guitar work?

 

[Capt. Snazzy]

I used POD Pro,2, XT for the longest time, initially AES out into an AES16pci, then analog out into a mackie board into an aurora. The analog path gave me usable tone faster than I could get from digital (based on average tweaking time required before I could stand to listen to what I had recorded). I finally decided to really put some time into mic'ing amp and cabs and haven't looked back.
There's a large amount of trial and error involved, but when you get something you like, it's your tone, no one can emulate that with a preset. At this point I typically use three mics (sm57, md421, r-121) on three different speakers in a mesa v30 cab powered by a triple rectifier, stiletto trident, bv300h, or 5150. I have to measure approximate distance to the grille for each mic to minimize phase issues, and it takes time to get a good tone every time I set up. However, when it hits, it sounds incredible, there is no substitute for mic'ing cabs that are moving air, I have tried and tried to find a usable sim / shortcut that is usable, and I haven't found anything yet. Multiple mics on the cab recorded to discrete tracks can give you a lot of options for changing the flavor of a guitar take during mix: I rarely leave all mics at the same volume.

 

[andrew_s]

I used JamVox for that but now I'm considering buying something else. JamVox is pretty good but I would like to get something in higher quality