guitar pedals loop

How To Record Electric Guitar

Recording in the home studio is done more and more these days. The electric guitar is well suited to being captured within the restrictions of this environment. Guitar amplifiers are naturally quite loud, so compared to recording violin, less soundproofing is required, not to mention the possibility of using the vast array of Amp Simulators. With Amp Simulators, a good DI or a hardware amp simulator is all you need!

So all you have in your home studio beside your instruments and amp is an MBOX, a few microphone leads, a dynamic and condenser microphone, computer, monitors and a stand! Not much, but more than enough to capture a great guitar recording. As two inputs are enough in most cases, some interesting techniques can help you get the sound you’ve always wanted.

One of the first things to do is make sure you have a great sounding instrument that is properly setup, has relatively new strings and of course, is in tune. An out of tune guitar is one of the remaining things that you can’t “Fix” in pro tools! A good amplifier which suits the music and sound you’re after and of course, a good guitar lead. You wouldn’t believe the differences one lead to another can make! I’ve always thought of this as ‘gobbledygook’, but believe me, there are definitely differences!

If you don’t have a vast array of microphones to choose from, try each different microphone in your collection to see which one you like best. As always, trust your ears and go with the one that sounds best to you. It may not be the ‘Typical’ microphone for the job, but it may be the best choice depending on the sound you’re after.

There are many different schools of thought when it comes to recording guitar amplifiers, none of which is the quintessential method, nor any wrong. Some people like to place two different sounding microphones up close, one sure SM57 close, a 57′ up close and a condenser in omnimode somewhere within the room capturing the natural reflections, a ribbon microphone is also often used.

I have come to the conclusion that there is no “Best Method,”; experimentation is the key. A useful way of determining how the microphone sounds when in record is to send the audio back to a pair of noise-reducing headphones(In-Ear Monitors are best) whilst moving the microphone around the amplifier and the room, listening to the varying sounds that are produced. You will need to have another guitar player playing or simply use a loop pedal to feed guitar signals into your amp. You will be amazed by the differences. Also as the guitar is loud, it’s a good idea to place the amplifier in a different room to your control room as you will be able to hear how it sounds through the monitors as well as your headphones.

There are two, prevalent microphone positions for recording guitar amplifiers. One is “On Axis” and the other is “Off Axis”. Off Axis is when the microphone is aimed at an angle to the speaker cone and On Axis is when the microphone is pointed towards the speaker cone. On Axis will give you a more upfront and fuller sound, where off axis the soundwaves hit the microphone capsule on an angle giving it a thinner sound. On axis also gives the best rejection from outside noises and other instruments. This is useful when doing live recordings or when sound proofing isn’t accessible.

Some people like to record guitar amps really loud to get “That sound”, whilst others prefer to record a lower levels. I believe this greatly depends on the amplifier given; a 1watt amp will distort at lower levels than a 100watt amp. At the end of the day, it’s what sounds best to you and how you play. All of the above are simply guides to your endless world of experimentation recording guitar amplifiers. Good luck!


Document Chicago: New Jazz And Improvisation


Document Chicago: New Jazz And Improvisation


$13.95


AUDIO CD! Document Chicago: New Jazz And Improvisation! 2003 483 Music Compilation! Document Chicago: New Jazz and Improvisation is a compilation that celebrates the new generation of musicians working in the diverse Chicago improvised music scene, as well as the forthcoming Document Chicago Series that will record them. Document Chicago features 13 original tracks by young musicians working in…

Apple Logic Studio [OLD VERSION]


Apple Logic Studio [OLD VERSION]


$269.99


Introducing Logic Studio, Apple’s comprehensive suite of professional tools that provides musicians with everything they need to create in the studio, on the stage, and for the screen. Logic Studio includes Logic Pro 8, Apple’s professional music application; MainStage, an innovative new application for music performance; and Soundtrack Pro 2 for audio post-production. It also includes acclaimed i…

Steinberg Sequel 3 Music Creation and Performance Software


Steinberg Sequel 3 Music Creation and Performance Software


$79.99


With Steinberg Sequel, every time you flip on your Mac or PC, your computer turns into one massive sound studio: synthesizers, drum kits plus guitar amps, cabs and stomp boxes are all at your fingertips. Take it along to band practice, record the lot and head on back home to give it a professional makeover. There are many tools at hand to help you adjust tempo, pitch and stretch audio or use the o…

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 4 KONTROL Edition - Software/Hardware Combo


Native Instruments Guitar Rig 4 KONTROL Edition – Software/Hardware Combo


$559.00


Native Instruments GUITAR RIG 4 KONTROL Edition is all-in-one virtual guitar and bass software for great custom tone. The included GUITAR RIG 4 PRO software delivers 14 amps, 25 matched cabinets, 48 effects, 17 guitar and 6 bass cabinets, 4 rotary speakers, and 9 microphones&mdashall recreated in stunning detail. There’s also a new-to-the-series Control Room module, which provides selected vintage…

3M Dual Lock Low Profile Reclosable Fastener 5/8-Inch-by-10-Foot, Clear


3M Dual Lock Low Profile Reclosable Fastener 5/8-Inch-by-10-Foot, Clear


$18.79


Simply put, this stuff is for affixing one thing temporarily to another thing. It consists of a single roll of two strands of fastening tape, each with a peel-back adhesive surface on one side and low-profile mushroom-shaped fasteners on the other. If you’ve used Velcro tape before, you get the idea-except that this stuff isn’t Velcro. With 705 pins per square inch, it gives you four times the ten…

Musician's Gear Powered Pedalboard and Gig Bag (Standard)


Musician’s Gear Powered Pedalboard and Gig Bag (Standard)


$69.99


The Musicians Gear Powered Pedalboard delivers plush protection and portability for your guitar effect pedals. Combines a built-in power strip on a removable pedalboard with a durable case equipped with a shoulder strap, exterior zipper pocket, and handle. The pedalboard is material-covered for easy hook-and-loop attachment of pedals.Includes AC adapter, power cords, Velcro for pedal attachment, L…

Boss NS2 Noise Suppressor Pedal


Boss NS2 Noise Suppressor Pedal


$88.50


Eliminates noise and hum in guitar and bass effects and amplifier setups. Unique noise detection circuit preserves the natural attack and envelope of an instrument’s sound. Threshold and decay knobs allow for shaping the elimination/suppression as desired….

ISP Technologies Decimator Noise Reduction Pedal


ISP Technologies Decimator Noise Reduction Pedal


$129.95


The Decimator guitar pedal offers a new approach to Noise Reduction processing with a high level of performance. Most noise suppression systems suffer from one major problem inherent in their design: The system cannot be immediately responsive to very short-term staccato notes. The typical downward expander sound reduction system suffers from a dead zone in the release response characteristic that…

ISP Technologies Decimator G String Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal


ISP Technologies Decimator G String Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal


$219.95


The Decimator G String is a noise reduction pedal that delivers performance like that of the renowned ISP Decimator ProRackG. The Decimator G String provides a totally independent channel of sound reduction that can be inserted into a series effects loop or after a preamp section with the advantage of having the Decimator level detectors track the guitar signal directly. With the G String pedal yo…

Boss PSA-120S Power Adapter


Boss PSA-120S Power Adapter


$18.87


The PSA-120S is the recommended power supply for products including all new BOSS Compact and Twin pedals, ME-50/-20/-20B Multi-effects, the DB-66/-88/-90 metronomes, DR-Series drum machines, FC-Series foot controllers, MC-202, SH-101, SP-202, TR-626, and all TU-Series tuners….


Guitar Pedal Jam


Document Chicago: New Jazz And Improvisation


Document Chicago: New Jazz And Improvisation


$13.95


AUDIO CD! Document Chicago: New Jazz And Improvisation! 2003 483 Music Compilation! Document Chicago: New Jazz and Improvisation is a compilation that celebrates the new generation of musicians working in the diverse Chicago improvised music scene, as well as the forthcoming Document Chicago Series that will record them. Document Chicago features 13 original tracks by young musicians working in…

Boss NS2 Noise Suppressor Pedal


Boss NS2 Noise Suppressor Pedal


$88.50


Eliminates noise and hum in guitar and bass effects and amplifier setups. Unique noise detection circuit preserves the natural attack and envelope of an instrument’s sound. Threshold and decay knobs allow for shaping the elimination/suppression as desired….

ISP Technologies Decimator Noise Reduction Pedal


ISP Technologies Decimator Noise Reduction Pedal


$129.95


The Decimator guitar pedal offers a new approach to Noise Reduction processing with a high level of performance. Most noise suppression systems suffer from one major problem inherent in their design: The system cannot be immediately responsive to very short-term staccato notes. The typical downward expander sound reduction system suffers from a dead zone in the release response characteristic that…

ISP Technologies Decimator G String Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal


ISP Technologies Decimator G String Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal


$219.95


The Decimator G String is a noise reduction pedal that delivers performance like that of the renowned ISP Decimator ProRackG. The Decimator G String provides a totally independent channel of sound reduction that can be inserted into a series effects loop or after a preamp section with the advantage of having the Decimator level detectors track the guitar signal directly. With the G String pedal yo…

Musician's Gear Powered Pedalboard and Gig Bag (Standard)


Musician’s Gear Powered Pedalboard and Gig Bag (Standard)


$69.99


The Musicians Gear Powered Pedalboard delivers plush protection and portability for your guitar effect pedals. Combines a built-in power strip on a removable pedalboard with a durable case equipped with a shoulder strap, exterior zipper pocket, and handle. The pedalboard is material-covered for easy hook-and-loop attachment of pedals.Includes AC adapter, power cords, Velcro for pedal attachment, L…

Apple Logic Studio [OLD VERSION]


Apple Logic Studio [OLD VERSION]


$269.99


Introducing Logic Studio, Apple’s comprehensive suite of professional tools that provides musicians with everything they need to create in the studio, on the stage, and for the screen. Logic Studio includes Logic Pro 8, Apple’s professional music application; MainStage, an innovative new application for music performance; and Soundtrack Pro 2 for audio post-production. It also includes acclaimed i…

Steinberg Sequel 3 Music Creation and Performance Software


Steinberg Sequel 3 Music Creation and Performance Software


$79.99


With Steinberg Sequel, every time you flip on your Mac or PC, your computer turns into one massive sound studio: synthesizers, drum kits plus guitar amps, cabs and stomp boxes are all at your fingertips. Take it along to band practice, record the lot and head on back home to give it a professional makeover. There are many tools at hand to help you adjust tempo, pitch and stretch audio or use the o…

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 4 KONTROL Edition - Software/Hardware Combo


Native Instruments Guitar Rig 4 KONTROL Edition – Software/Hardware Combo


$559.00


Native Instruments GUITAR RIG 4 KONTROL Edition is all-in-one virtual guitar and bass software for great custom tone. The included GUITAR RIG 4 PRO software delivers 14 amps, 25 matched cabinets, 48 effects, 17 guitar and 6 bass cabinets, 4 rotary speakers, and 9 microphones&mdashall recreated in stunning detail. There’s also a new-to-the-series Control Room module, which provides selected vintage…

3M Dual Lock Low Profile Reclosable Fastener 5/8-Inch-by-10-Foot, Clear


3M Dual Lock Low Profile Reclosable Fastener 5/8-Inch-by-10-Foot, Clear


$18.79


Simply put, this stuff is for affixing one thing temporarily to another thing. It consists of a single roll of two strands of fastening tape, each with a peel-back adhesive surface on one side and low-profile mushroom-shaped fasteners on the other. If you’ve used Velcro tape before, you get the idea-except that this stuff isn’t Velcro. With 705 pins per square inch, it gives you four times the ten…

Boss PSA-120S Power Adapter


Boss PSA-120S Power Adapter


$18.87


The PSA-120S is the recommended power supply for products including all new BOSS Compact and Twin pedals, ME-50/-20/-20B Multi-effects, the DB-66/-88/-90 metronomes, DR-Series drum machines, FC-Series foot controllers, MC-202, SH-101, SP-202, TR-626, and all TU-Series tuners….