Recording guitar

  • Thread starter Thread starter RideTheCrash
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RideTheCrash

RideTheCrash

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I'm a drummer, but I do all the recordings. I'm trying to get a good sound from the guitar. What do you guys do? Of course, understand I'm 15 years old and have no job so I can't go out and buy good stuff. Here is my guitarist's set up:

Fender Strat. (mexican): The wiring is screwy, the volume knob is a bit loose and I put tape down to hold it down on one side so more buzzing doesn't occur. Sad? Yes.

Squier Amp: This thing is a cheap 28w amp, but does the job for playing in my basement. This thing buzzes like a bitch when the guitar is in, but I've been able to figure out ways to cut it.

He just got some new patch cords so I dunno what kind they, his last one was some cheap Radio Shack patch cord.

My mics are a Shure PG48 (more of a vocal mic) and 2 cheap 'Shack ones. My mics suck, yes, in Canada here a Shure SM57 is about $159.

My mixer is a Behringer Eurorack802, I haven't done much screwing around for a guitar sound but you know. So even for clean (no overdrive) recordings do you guys mic the amp or plug direct? I know most do bass direct. Cause it sounds shitty going direct and then into my line in. My drums sound decent for what mics I have and I can live with direct bass. I currently have no compressors (my dad has like 3, ugh)

One more thing, sorry for all the messages.

I want to run a BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer I have with my mixer into the line in on my computer (damn sound card is a cheap SoundBlaster) and am not really sure how I want to do this. My receiver tends to buzz a bit. Basically my dad suggested running a patch cord from the mixer to the back of the receiver of which the the processor is hooked up to and run out the headphone jack into the line in of my computer

Now I'm not an Audiophile, but that just doesn't sound good, I know the more things you add to the loop the more hum and whatnot builds up and I'd rather not run it through the receiver. So is there a way I can just hook the processor? Like...

MIXER>PROCESSOR>LINE IN

I'm a little un familiar with the ins and outs on this mixer, I just got it (I'd been using some cheap 2 track PA and a minidisc for recording before) so I don't know what I'd run in and out, etc. I have to buy more cords anyway for this mixer, I'm a little short. Thanks to those who actually read this far. Later.
 
1) Mic the amp with your PG48 (57's are expensive everywhere). Get the sound you want coming out of your amp, then record it - season to taste later. There's nothing wrong with small amps in a studio - I prefer them. Try getting a good track from a huge tube head that's cranked into 4x12 cabinet - good luck.

2) Bust out the soldering iron, fix the buzzing, and turn off the fluorescent lights. Borrow some decent cords - you can always count on Radio Schmack to let you down.

3) In my opinion, the best way to use a BBE is to set your drinks on it, or to hold your door open. Please don't take offense, that's just my opinion - I'm sure others will disagree.

If you're going to use it (nothing wrong with giving it a try), then yes, you can route via GUITAR>AMP>MIC>MIXER>PROCESSOR>LINE IN, but you may end up having problems with recording levels into your computer. If you do, try going
GUITAR>PROCESSOR>AMP>MIC>MIXER>LINE IN. It'll sound different, but you may even like it better that way.

4) You can go either way with the bass. Direct is good, micing the amp is good. Given your setup, I'd probably go direct, just for simplicity.

5) Don't let anybody tell you not to bother because you don't have primo gear. You'll learn so much more by doing it the hard way. Get into it, try crazy things like recording backup vocals through the heat ducts in your house. Develop your own style and see for yourself what works and what doesn't. Have fun, and prepare to do nickel-and-dime upgrades to your studio until your 90. And keep asking questions - nobody knows everything right off the bat.

Best O' Luck to ya.
 
Okay/ I tried mic'ing the amp w/ ovedrive on and it sounded pretty bad. I got a bunch of cords from RadioShit and the processor runs through the aux sends/returns or whatever and the main outs to the receiver. I still don't want to run through the headphone jack with the damn buzzing.

S'alright 'bout the BBE, my dad used to use it so he gave it to me. Eh, free stuff, sure.
 
Yeah - free stuff is always good. If you're getting a good sound coming out of your amp, but it sounds like cheese, first check the basics:

1) make sure all you're levels are good and solid - mic channel into the behringer, main outs to the line in, etc... If you have to jack them up just to hear them when they're recorded, something's set wrong. Same thing if it's distorted or clipped. Check to make sure your line-in level is set right in the PC (windows mixer - should be at about 3/4).

2) Process of elimination. You need to have the mixer in the loop, so lose the BBE temporarily and see what happens. Try recording just your voice into the mic and see if it still sounds like trash.

From there, you should be able to isolate the problem and go forward. There's always tweaks to do, no matter what your setup, so don't feel bad. I should be a "pro" at fixing stupid problems by now :)
 
Yeah, well the amp is horrible in the first place. I just ran a patch cord from it's headphone jack into this AUX IN my brother has on his Fender 38w amp (needless to say I didn't get to try it out much, he's listening to music) and the distortion sounded much cleaner. Probably 'cause I also put on new strings on it last night. I recorded everything separately at the moment so I don't have to worry about mixing vocals and guitar together yet. Thanks.
 
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