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Recording The Electric Guitar

What is the best way to record electric guitar?

With home recording at an all-time high (in both quantity and quality), there seems to be no end to the amount of gear you can use to create and massage your guitar tone. Modeling amps, pedalboards with a gazillion-and-one effects, virtual microphones, and more are all available to press into action. While all this tech has its place, it's good to know how to get more with less.

Tune it up
Before you get started, put on a fresh set of strings and spend some time making sure your tuning is accurate. It only takes one string a little flat to ruin an otherwise great take!

No room
There are several ways to record your electric guitar. The most efficient way is to plug into a direct box connected to your mixer. The advantages to this method include no sound leakage from other instruments, and an ambience-free signal that can be treated with effects to create whatever environment your imagination dictates. However, much of the character and warmth of the electric guitar come from the amp and speaker combination, and this is where the fun begins!

Get small
You may be thinking that blasting through a monster 200-watt stack could cause problems with the neighbors, and you'd be right! Fortunately, you can create a surprisingly huge sound with a much smaller amp. Think about the soaring guitar tones on "Layla" - these were created using small Fender® Champs. In fact, using a small tube amp in combination with a Shure SM57 will deliver an authentic rock guitar tone that's hard to beat.

Microphone magic
While you can put the mic anywhere in the room, the best place to start is right in front of the speaker. I tend to keep the mic off-center for a little richer tone, but as always, whatever sound works for you is the right sound. Try moving the mic around the room for different tones. The further away from the speaker you place the mic, the more room sound you'll get.

Finally
You can season the sound as needed to make it fit in your song. If you have the option, add a bit of compression to smooth the signal, and adjust the EQ to taste.

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