How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

HOW TO RECORD GUITAR: 14 TIPS

TO SHRED LIKE THE PROS

“I’m only myself when I have a guitar in my hands” – George Harrison.

Capturing a good guitar tone isn’t always easy.

You want to do the guitarist justice – after all, it’s an iconic instrument and an
integral part of every band.

But electric guitars rarely sound as good on a recording as they do in real life.

In this guide I’m going to share 14 straightforward, practical tips on how to

record guitar that mixes itself.

CONTENTS [SHOW]

Want your mixes to sound pro?

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Inside, you’ll learn the only 7 steps you need to go through if you want your
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But if you just want to learn about recording guitar specifically, keep reading.

Tip 1 – Use a Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Let’s start with the basics.

In most cases, I actually recommend recording guitar DI and using an amp

simulator when working in a home studio. But more on that later…

There are many reasons why you might want to record your guitar amp rather
than using amp simulation (e.g. more natural tone, favorite guitar amp). So
let’s cover that first.

If you do go down this route, I highly recommend using a cardioid dynamic

microphone.

Cardioid microphones reject sound from the rear. This is ideal for a home
environment where the acoustics aren’t ideal.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Dynamic mics are less sensitive to high frequencies, which you don’t need
when tracking electric guitar. Electric guitars have very little high frequency
content, and it’s not needed in the context of the mix.

In fact, I often apply a low-pass filter to electric guitars to remove everything

above 10kHz in the mix stage. So there’s very little reason to use a
condenser microphone in a home studio environment.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

A Shure SM57 is an affordable microphone that is ideal for this purpose.

Tip 2 – Position the Microphone Close to the

Amp
Your primary microphone should be very close to the amplifier. This reduces
unwanted noise and reflections from your room.

It’s also the easiest place to find the right tone. Generally, anywhere between 0-5″ (0-
12.5cm) works best. Around 90% of the time, I will chose 1″ (2.5cm) or closer.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

rom flickr

Some people like to use two microphones – one up close to the amp and
another further back. This second ‘room mic’ can be blended in for a roomier
tone.

If you have a second microphone, you can give this try. But I find that it’s
rarely needed. Opt for a dynamic microphone again, and check the phase
when mixing.

You might need to delay the close mic slightly when mixing to prevent phase
issues. If that sounds too complicated, don’t worry about it too much – just
decide in the mix if the room mic enhances the sound or makes it worse.

Tip 3 – Find the Right Tone on the Amp

A lot of people get excited during the recording phase. This makes them rush.

Don’t make this mistake.

Spend plenty of time adjusting the EQ on the guitar amp and the tone controls
on the guitar.

Here’s your goal – record a guitar tone that needs ZERO equalization in the
mix phase.

It’s perfectly achievable, and that’s your main aim.

As a general rule of thumb, turn the bass knob down a few notches. You don’t
need much low end on the guitar.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

If you want to master the guitar, check out some lessons from Tom Fontana
at TheGuitarLesson.com.

Tip 4 – Adjust the Position to Adjust the

Tone
First of all, find out where the speaker cone is (look inside the front grill, or
gently feel around if it’s a cloth grill).

With the microphone close to the speaker cloth, position it about half way
between the center and the edge of the speaker cone.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Now move it from left to right and listen to how the tone changes.

When you get nearer the middle of the speaker the tone will become brighter
and more aggressive. When you get nearer the edge of the cone, the tone will
get darker and duller.

There is no right or wrong answer here. Position the microphone wherever

the tone suits the track the most.

IMPORTANT: Consider the context of the guitar in the mix.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Is it a lead part? A brighter tone will probably be more effective.

Is it a supportive part? A slightly darker tone would probably be best.

Is the guitarist playing low frets? A brighter tone might help the part to cut
through and prevent muddiness.

Is the guitarist playing high frets? A darker tone might stop the guitar from
sounding too brittle or thin.

My go-to position is half way between the edge of the cone and the center of
the speaker, as shown in the diagram above.

You can also adjust the angle of the microphone to control the tone. Spend
time experimenting and moving the microphone. Try different positions and
angles, and see what works.

Tip 5 – Find the Tone in the Context of the

Mix
While you are moving the microphone around to find the best position, get the
guitarist to play along with the track.

Check then gain on your interface. Then, in your headphones, adjust the level
of the guitar with the channel fader until it sits properly in the mix.

Now you can move the microphone around and listen to how the guitar
sounds in the context of the mix. This is a much better way of working.

Nobody will ever hear the guitar in solo – so it doesn’t matter if it sounds bad

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

in solo.

All that matters is that it sounds good in the context of the mix.

A bright, twangy tone might sound awful in solo. But it might sound perfect in
the mix.

Tip 6 – Use a Reference Track

If you are struggling to find the right tone, you can use a reference track as a
basis for comparison.

Find a song that has a guitar tone you like. Import it into your DAW or have it
ready to play through your speakers/headphones.

Listen to the guitar tone. Is it bright, or warm? Distorted, or clean?

Compare the tone that you are capturing to your reference track.

If your guitar sounds dull in comparison, boost the highs and move the closer
to the center of the speaker cone. If it sounds dull, do the opposite.

You get the idea…

Tip 7 – Change the Tone When Overdubbing

It’s pretty common for one guitarist to overdub and play several parts within a
piece.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

For example, you might play the same chord progression twice. One part to
pan hard left, and the other to pan hard right.

A great way to achieve more separation and space within your mix is to
change the tone slightly every time you record a new part.

Switch to a different pickup. Move the microphone slightly. Adjust the tone
knob.

Tip 8 – Use Less Distortion Than Usual

Distorted guitars tend to sound more distorted on a recording than they do
live.

When playing live, a loud distorted guitar sounds great. But on a record,
heavy distortion can quickly fill up space in the mix and create a range of
problems.

Guitars somehow appear to sound more distorted on a recording, so you

don’t need to use as much.

If you decide in the mix phase that you want more distortion, you can use an
amp simulator to add more. But if you record with too much distortion, you are
stuck with it.

Get more amp simulation tips inside the free bonus PDF that goes with this
article:

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Tip 9 – Turn Off Amp Reverb

This is something else that’s better to add in the mix.

If you record the guitar with reverb from the amp or a pedal – you’re stuck
with it.

Instead, record clean and add reverb when mixing if you need it.

(Unless it’s a vital part of the tone and character you are trying to capture)

Tip 10 – Amp Size Doesn’t Matter

Size matters… or does it?

In a live setting, bigger usually means better.

But in a recording studio, it really doesn’t matter.

Most of the time you are going to put the microphone right up against a single
speaker… so it makes no difference if that cabinet has 1 speaker or 10.

The size of the speaker will have an effect on the tone. But that’s not to say
that a smaller speaker sounds worse.

In fact, many guitarists chose to use tiny amps in the studio because they like
the tone.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Jimmy Page recorded with a small 12-watt amp for the first two Led Zeppelin
records. Listen to the characteristic ‘small-amp’ guitar tone in this huge
track….

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Tip 11 – Record Guitar Direct

If you want to produce radio-worthy mixes in a home studio, you have to
make some compromises.

Recording guitar direct and using an amp simulator is the easiest way to
capture professional, studio-quality guitar at home.

Some people think that amp simulation lacks ‘mojo’. Sometimes this is true. If
you have a favorite amp, then you might never be able to replicate the sound
digitally. That’s why I shared the tips above for recording a guitar amp.

But in the majority of cases, you can get better results by recording guitar
direct and using an amp simulator.

If you do, make sure you use a proper DI box.

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Tip 12 – Record With Plenty of Headroom

If you are recording direct, it’s important to make sure you have plenty of
headroom when recording – a clean guitar can be very dynamic.

Try to peak no higher than -10dB (learn more about gain staging here).

There’s absolutely no need to record hot when working with digital audio.

Tip 13 – Record Direct and Re-Amp if You

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How to Record Guitar: 14 Tips to Shred Like the Pros

Need It
Even if you record direct and later wish you had recorded through an amplifier
– it’s not too late.

You can use a re-amping box to play the dry recorded guitar track out of your
DAW and into an amplifier.

This allows you to spend as long as you want tweaking the tone of the amp
before recording.

There are many benefits to re-amping, but it’s rare that you would want to do
this in a home studio. Re-amping boxes aren’t cheap, and you’re better off
making a decision early on and sticking to it.

Tip 14 – Recording Bass? Go Direct

There’s no need to record a bass amp in a home studio. It will cause a range
of issues.

Bass frequencies are the main problem in an untreated room. So recording

bass through an amplifier is a terrible idea.

Instead, record direct and use amp simulation. A surprising number of

professional studios will do the exact same thing.

As with guitar, make sure you use a dedicated DI box and make sure you
have plenty of headroom when recording.

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