How to Record Electric Guitar—A Beginner's Guide

Learning how to record electric guitar to get that perfect guitar sound isn't all that simple. Things like the type and placement of mics, the amp you use, the audio interface, and a host of other factors can affect the sound of your guitar.

You may have nailed the tone during a jam session, but capturing that same quality when recording can often feel like a different beast altogether.Fortunately, with a bit of know-how and the right tools, you can create guitar tracks that sound as good as they do in your head. Home recording enthusiasts can set up their own recording space at home with the right setup. In this guide, we’ll help you understand your options so you can capture that desired sound every time.

Table of contents

What you'll need to start recording guitar

If you are used to recording acoustic guitar, you might think there’s some overlap. Guitar isn’t the same as acoustic guitar when it comes to recording. Acoustic guitar doesn’t require an amp or speaker, as it doesn’t run off electricity. Things like mic set-up are different as well for electric and acoustic guitars.

Whether it’s a bass guitar, semi-acoustic guitar, or a standard guitar, knowing how to record is vital for getting the right guitar tone and sound. Producing high-quality audio is easier than ever with modern computers and more easily accessible recording equipment.

A recording studio can also be a big help, providing you with all the tools and equipment you might need. A guitar should be prepared properly by checking its strings and tuning it as well.

Acoustic guitar works differently because of its acoustic guitar parts and not connecting to an amp, so for electric guitar, there are some extra things you’ll need. Here’s a list of equipment to get you started:

• The guitar
• Amplifier
• Speaker cabinet/guitar cabinet
• Microphone
• Audio interface
• Computer

You’ll need this equipment for the majority of your guitar recordings. Each piece of equipment plays a crucial role in your recordings. Here’s a little more detail on some of the equipment:

Guitar and guitar amp – Your guitar and amp are the cornerstone of how your guitar sounds. Make sure both are well-maintained and set up properly. Valve amps are a popular choice for many guitarists due to their warm, rich sound, but solid-state amps can be equally effective depending on your style.

Audio interface – A high-quality audio interface is crucial for capturing your guitar’s sound accurately. Look for interfaces with instrument inputs designed specifically for guitars to avoid signal loss or unwanted noise.

DI box – If you’re opting to record the guitar directly, a DI box (Direct Input) will help maintain signal quality as your guitar connects to the recording system.

Microphones – Decide between a dynamic or condenser mic. Whether you’re using a dynamic mic like the Shure SM57 for its durability and direct sound, or a condenser mic for more detailed guitar sounds, selecting the right mic is key to capturing the best tones.

Cables and accessories – Don’t overlook the basics. High-quality cables, stands for your mic, and good headphones will all contribute to a smoother recording process.

What's a recording chain?

A recording chain, or a signal chain, is simply the order of how you'll record a guitar with a microphone. Here's a basic chain:

• Guitar
• Cable
• Amp
• Cab
• Microphone
• Cable
• Audio interfaces
• Computer

If you're not used to recording your bass guitar, this might seem confusing, so we'll break it down for you.

• Connect your guitar to your guitar amp using an instrument cable.
• Position the mic in front of the speaker cabinet, ideally using a short mic stand.
• Use an XLR cable to connect the mic to your mic preamp in your audio interface.
• Connect your audio interface to your PC using either USB, Thunderbolt or Firewire.
• Create a new project in your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Create an audio track using the input that your mic is connected to.
• Practise a few chords and check the gain settings. Aim for -12dBFS.

When setting up, take your time adjusting the tone of your amp. Guitar amps need the right settings just like any piece of equipment.

Don’t worry about adjusting mic positions early on. It’s important to get the tone right at the very start so you don’t have to change anything later.

Make sure your recording software is all set up and ready too. Recording software can run on most computers and is key for recording guitar properly.

What's the best set-up?

The best step up is down to you, but there are a couple of things that will make a big difference, like the room size, what’s in it, and background noise.

For the room size, aim for something ‘medium’ sized, not too big, and not too small. Big rooms can echo while small rooms can mute your sounds. A regular, medium-sized room should do the trick. Furniture is also important for letting your sound bounce off things and adding an ambience.

Place your guitar amp on a rug or carpet so that it won’t rattle. Your mic could pick up on that rattling and ruin your recording. Any other background noise, like AC or an open window, could also ruin your recording, so find a quiet place.

What sort of microphone is best?

Microphones are, of course, vital to any good recording! Condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, and ribbon mics are the main mics to record electric guitars.

Whether you have a one-mic setup or are using a second microphone, you should know the key differences that’ll help you record high-quality audio.

Dynamic microphone – These are durable and can handle high sound pressure levels, making them great for close, loud guitar amps. They offer a focused, punchy sound and are less sensitive to background noise.

Condenser microphones – More sensitive than dynamic mics, they capture a wider frequency range with greater detail, especially in higher frequencies.

They work well for capturing the room’s acoustics or adding nuance to a guitar sound. They often require phantom power.

Ribbon microphone – The ribbon mic is known for its smooth and warm sound, ribbon mics have a more vintage tone, often used for a fuller, darker recording.

They’re fragile compared to the others but provide a natural, balanced sound that’s great for capturing the subtleties of an amp or guitar cabinet.

The Shura SM57 is a popular choice of dynamic mic and can handle most of your recording. Be sure to research which mics are best for recording, letting you get the perfect guitar sound.

Keep the noise down with an isolation cabinet

It can be tempting to crank your amp speakers up and blast your music, but sometimes that might not always be appropriate. Recording at home can cause some issues if you want to play loudly. You might also be struggling to find the right room acoustics too.

An isolation cabinet combines your mic and speaker inside a box. This gives you the same sound, whilst keeping the volume down. Iso cabs are great for home recording if you need to keep the noise down. Find a tutorial on the best way to set up your iso cab.

You could also invest in some high impedance headphones which can be plugged into an amp. This keeps the sound down by playing your sound directly through your headphones. Any instrument input will be played directly there, instead of out loud.

Recording using an audio interface

If all this setup might be a bit much, then you can forget about all that. You can simply run the cable from your guitar straight into your audio interface.

Here's a quick rundown on how to use an audio interface for recording guitar:

• Connect your guitar to the audio interface using an instrument input cable.
• Connect the interface to your computer using either USB, Thunderbolt, or Firewire.
• The input channel should be Hi-Z
• Start a new project in your chosen recording software similar to before, choosing the right input.
• Open your digital amplifier software so you can edit and tweak your sound.

This is ideal for quick and easy recordings, though the quality might not be as good. Find the best audio interface you can and record with that.

How to mic your guitar amp

When recording an acoustic guitar, its different guitar parts will produce different. The traditional method is to have the first microphone aimed at the chords, and other mics aimed at the body or hole.

For electric guitar, aiming a mic at a specific guitar part isn’t as important. Instead. you’ll want to aim it at a speaker.

If you’ve chosen to mic your guitar amp, the position of the mic can have a huge impact on the tone.

Microphone position – Place a mic close to the speaker, or against it, to capture a more direct, punchy sound, while a distant mic will add more room ambience and depth from your natural space. Placing the mic just off-centre from the cone is a popular technique for avoiding harsh, trebly tones.

Mic on-axis vs mic off-axis – When your mic input is on-axis (directly facing the speaker), you’ll get a brighter sound. An off-axis position will create a smoother, warmer tone with less of the high-end bite.

Dual-miking technique – Using two mics—one close to the amp and one further away—can add richness and depth to your recordings. Just be mindful of the 3:1 rule to avoid phase issues: for every unit of distance the close mic is from the amp, the second mic should be three units away.

Setting your guitar tone

Before hitting record, take the time to dial in your guitar tone.

Amp settings – Start by setting your guitar amplifier for a sound that fits the song. It’s important to remember that what sounds good live might need adjusting when recording. Reduce excessive bass, as it can get muddy in the mix, and ensure that your tone works well with the other instruments.

Pedalboard setup – If you’re using effects, like reverb or delay, be mindful of how they’ll affect the recorded sound. It’s often better to record a dry signal and add effects later in the mix, allowing you more flexibility.

Clean vs distorted tones – If you’re recording both clean and distorted tones, consider tracking them separately to have more control during mixing.

Choosing your recording method

There are a few different ways of recording guitar, and the method you choose will largely depend on the sound you’re going for.

Mic’d amp recording – Place a microphone in front of your amp to deliver a more authentic and natural guitar output. The key to this method is mic placement, which we’ll cover in more detail later.

Combination method – For even greater versatility, many guitar players opt to combine both direct input (DI) into an audio interface and mic’d amp techniques. This way, you capture the direct sound from the DI while also benefiting from the unique characteristics of your amp.

Editing and mixing your guitar recordings

Once your guitar tracks are recorded, it’s time to move to the mixing stage.

EQ and compression – Use EQ to carve out space for your guitar in the mix, particularly in the midrange, which is where most guitar sounds live. Compression will help even out your performance and keep everything consistent, creating clean sounds.

Layering guitar tracks – For a bigger, open sound, consider layering multiple guitar tracks. Double-tracking rhythm parts or adding harmonised leads can enhance the song’s depth.

Re-amping – If you recorded your guitar directly through a DI box, you can re-amp the signal through different amp modelling software or hardware to experiment with different amp sounds.

Conclusion

Recording electric guitar is an art that takes time to perfect, but with the right approach and gear, you’ll be well on your way to a producing great tone and professional-quality tracks. Whether you’re experimenting with different mic sets or refining your playing technique, the possibilities are endless.

This guide will hopefully have up ready to start a powerful electric guitar recording of your own.

TYX studios are designed for pitch-perfect recording

At TYX  Studios, we understand the importance of achieving the perfect guitar recording. Our state-of-the-art recording studios and experienced engineers are here to help you bring your sound to life. Whether you’re recording your next album or just laying down some demos, we have the expertise and tools to help you create stunning music.

Contact us today to book a session and start recording music that will leave your audience wanting more!