Best way to record guitar?

[Rickinch]

I might be recording my band's first single in the next few months, and I'm sort of a studio noob, but I know a couple of things. One of the main things that bothers me is the way in which guitars are recorded. As far as I'm concerned you get the best sound by mic'ing your Amp's cab with a good microphone, like an Audix i5 or a Shure Sm57... Since I don't own a tube amp I'm thinking of renting my friend's Mesa/Boogie Mark IV combo to record the guitars.

When I said this to 2 of my friends who are 'experienced' in the area, they said it wasn't necessary and that the guys at the studio have their own rackmounted preamp that runs directly to his mixing board and there he records the guitar tracks.... I'm not convinced by that...especially after hearing my friend's single using that method o_O...sounds awful.

now what do you guys think its the best?

[woodman]

If you want control of how your guitar is going to sound, I wouldn't leave it up to the guy in the studio and his preamp.

[T Prior]

If you are happy with your sound, record with your own amp.

There is no such thing as use this or use that, recording direct is an art that many have mastered but it is a long learning curve, using an amp that you are not familiar with is even worse...

The purpose of recording is not about the gear but rather to capture a "moment" . Bring your MOMENT to the studio with you and let them capture it . It's that simple.

t

[Rickinch]

thing is I get my sound from my multieffect processor a Digitech RP500, and I've used it live with the mark IV so I'm not unfamiliar with it. What I do is connect my RP directly to the FX Loop Return, and that way get advantage of the power tubes on that amp, and get a really really nice sound combining great amp modelling of the RP with the power Tubes of the Mark IV. It's basically a sound I've crafted but Enhanced by the tubes, as simple as that.

So I guess I'd use my pedal with that amp to get my track recorded the way I want it to sound.

[T Prior]

Originally Posted by Rickinch

Since I don't own a tube amp

Ok good, my comment was based on YOUR comment...

I'm sure it will sound just fine.

t

[Rickinch]

Thanks alot :) any other inputs will be gladly accepted ;)

[Geoff738]

If your amp has a line out, record the mic on the cab and the signal from the line out. Use one, or both and mix to taste. You could do the same with a a splitter box.

Cheers,
Geoff

[String Tree]

In my studio, the Guitar player tells me what works best.

If he thinks he will do his best work using a certain kind of guitar>effect>amp combination, the discussion is over.

You have heard what the Engineer has to offer and you didn't like it.
If you are putting out your own money, make sure it is for something that you want.

I have recorded a few Mesa Boogies over the years, excellent choice.
Just be aware that Mesa Boogies (when mic'd up properly) sound great at low volume.
So when he tells you to turn it down a bit, he is doing you a favor, not putting you down.

[Rickinch]

gee that was quite helpful there String Tree :) Will keep it in mind ;D
Keep em coming guys.

[Rod Parsons]

I agree with all above. You could use two mics at the same time... the SM57 up close is a great choice... I use one for almost everything I record, [even vocals]. I'm not familiar with the Audix i5. If the studio has a good condenser mike that is sensitive enough to pick up the sound from your amp from a few feet away, each mic can be recorded to it's own track, and blended together at mixdown in a way that might give the guitar more spaciousness... more ambience. EQing each track a little differently can yield interesting results.. You can experiment with two tracks better than with only one track... The tracks can be panned... one left, one right, one with reverb, one without, etc. Have fun... keep learning... Rod

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by String Tree

So when he tells you to turn it down a bit, he is doing you a favor, not putting you down.

maybe.......

You, that's funny you say that. And not just being my straight-man (does that still mean what it used to?). My boogie has a spot that I love. The sound guys would always come up at sound check and say, ok, now play at the volume you're going to play tonight. I'd say I am and they'd just walk away and shake thier heads. By the end of the second sets they'd be buying me drinks because I wasn't constatly turning it up....you know....like a "normal" guitar player. I might be asking them for more monitor (depending on if the keyboard player was drinking) but I didn't touch my volume. They loved me. Too bad my wife wasn't a soundman....person.....

[String Tree]

"My boogie has a spot that I love."

Lets put some mics on it and see how it sounds on playback.

[bigbandtele]

Originally Posted by T Prior

If you are happy with your sound, record with your own amp.

There is no such thing as use this or use that, recording direct is an art that many have mastered but it is a long learning curve, using an amp that you are not familiar with is even worse...

The purpose of recording is not about the gear but rather to capture a "moment" . Bring your MOMENT to the studio with you and let them capture it . It's that simple.

t

A big +1 on this!

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by String Tree

"My boogie has a spot that I love."

Lets put some mics on it and see how it sounds on playback.

Been doing it for 28 years. If I run into problems I'll let you know.

[Chud]

If you have a sound that you are comfortable with and want to hear, then don't let an engineer decide on your sound for you. That said, just because your friend's guitar sound wasn't to your taste doesn't mean that the same method will lead to the same result with you. I've recorded guitars six ways from Sunday and they can all be made to sound anywhere from horrible to great whether mic'd, direct, or in the box modeling.

Bottom line, you're paying for it, you bring what you want to record with.

[Where's Nick?]

if you are using an rp500 you should DEFINITELY have a go at making use of the stereo outputs, run on output into the amp and one into the engineers pre amp, or just run into two amps to get a big fat sound.

i bring my rp500 into the studio when im recording bands to do just that, sounds massive.