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Recording Guitar These days there are many ways to record an electric, acoustic or even Midi guitar. Here are some basic techniques for getting the most out of the old wire and wood:
Direct
One of the most common ways to record electric guitar is to do so directly. This method is facilitated by an audio sequencer. The sequencer allows for a cleaner sound, which facilitates the editing process later on. Any effects that one might want to add when recording, such as reverb, can easily be added during mixing. Besides a clean sound, another very important aspect of recording is the level of sound that comes from the guitar. Occasionally, the HiZ outputs do not have the greatest quality. This occurs if they do not go through the amplifier, as they are designed to do, causing a background hum. This problem is treatable with the use of humbuckers. The best solution, however, is accomplished by using a direct box. When used together with a preamp, it produces an excellent output and quality sound.
Indirect
Electric guitar can also be recorded indirectly, by recording the sound of the amp rather than the instrument itself. This will not produce the same tone or sound as a direct recording, but is certainly an interesting artistic move and can be very effective in certain songs. You can also simulate an indirect amp recording during a digital mixing process. These virtual amplifiers often come with many other effects as well, such as chorus and delay, although digital simulators can never perfectly capture the sound you can get from an actual indirect recording. It is important to note that the use of compression is useful when doing an indirect amp recording, because it creates a more controlled audio signal, resulting in better quality overall. One of the most recent developments in sound recording technology is an amplifier with a built-in digital modeler. These combine the benefits of digital simulators with the more realistic sound of a regular amplifier.
Acoustic
Recording an acoustic guitar is considerably more difficult than recording electric guitar. One of the key aspects of good acoustic guitar recording is having an excellent microphone. A capacitor mic is recommended for acoustic recording, as it can best capture the entire range of the instrument. In addition to microphone quality, microphone placement is important as well. Be sure to choose a position that will give you the best sound quality possible on your recording. Generally, it is best to position the microphone about two feet away from the position where the neck of the guitar meets the body. However, personal taste varies, and experimentation is always a must. It is also important to record in a quality room; even if you cannot record in a studio, choose a place free from extra noises that can interfere with the recording.
Affordable for Amateurs and Professionals
For an amateur musician or a professional who hasn't started making much money yet, recording your guitar music (or any other music) in a professional studio can be much too expensive. However, thanks to developments in sound recording and editing technology, it is possible to record your music using your home computer. But recording on a computer isn't just for amateurs. Even seasoned, successful professionals can enjoy the advantages that computer recording offers. For example, recording on a computer is an inexpensive way of testing ideas, reducing the amount of money you have to spend to buy enough studio time to create that perfect recording. This doesn't apply just to brainstorming, either. Recording a half-finished work might help find the resolution you're looking for. It serves as a way to draft your composition and hear what works and what needs to be changed. Computer recordings are also excellent ways for aspiring artists to record demo records, given that they can be done cheaply and on the artist's own time. There is no need to worry about scheduling studio space and fitting everything into a time slot.
Anyone Can Do It
It does not even take a great deal of fancy hardware to record music on a computer.You can record your guitar music with just a simple sound card and some sort of input device, usually a microphone. Go into your computer's sound settings and adjust the input and output volume that you need for your recording. While you can record your song with any sort of recorder, most computers come with a built-in recorder. Although many of the built-in programs are not the highest quality, they can suffice for a beginner; as you develop your recording skills, you can buy better tools as needed. For example, better software will allow you to record different instruments as separate tracks and then mix them together later, whereas a simple piece of software may only let you record everything as one track.
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