Recording Guitar
DI, mic placement, tone shaping
Recording Methods
Two main approaches to recording electric guitar:
DI (Direct Input): plug your guitar directly into an audio interface. Use amp simulation software to shape the tone. Advantages: silent, consistent, infinitely tweakable after recording.
Microphone: place a microphone in front of your amplifier. Captures the real sound of your amp and speaker. Advantages: authentic tone, natural room ambience, amp dynamics.
For acoustic guitar, a microphone is almost always preferred over the built-in pickup, which tends to sound thin and "piezo-quacky."
Mic Placement Basics
For electric amp: a dynamic mic (like a Shure SM57) pointed at the speaker cone, 1-3 inches from the grille cloth. Aiming at the centre of the cone gives a brighter sound; moving toward the edge gives warmth.
For acoustic: a small-diaphragm condenser pointed at the 12th fret, 6-12 inches away. This captures the balanced sound of the guitar. Pointing at the soundhole gives too much bass boom.
The room matters: even a little reverb from the room adds life. A completely dead room (closet full of clothes) sounds flat.
Tips
- DI recording with amp sims is the most practical option for home recording
- SM57 on the speaker cone is the classic electric guitar mic technique
- For acoustic, aim the mic at the 12th fret, not the soundhole
- Record a clean DI signal alongside your amped tone — you can re-amp later
Practice Exercises
- If you have an audio interface, record yourself DI and experiment with amp sims
- Try recording the same part twice and panning left/right — hear the huge sound
- If you have a mic, experiment with placement: close vs far, centre vs edge of speaker
- Record yourself playing a song and listen critically — what would you change?