11 Tips for Recording Guitar Like a Pro

Trying to capture the sound of an electric guitar on a recording can be difficult unless you have the right equipment and knowledge to do so. 

The good thing is, learning how to record guitar that sounds good is pretty straightforward to learn. 

Below I’ll be going through 11 easy tips to recording guitar that sounds professional.

Set-up

Before we get started, let's go through some gear that will help you when recording. 

1. An audio interface for connecting your guitar to your computer

2. Microphone

3. A Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW for short

4. Plugins, which are software you use within your DAW to add effects

5. Monitors or headphones so you can hear the audio without colouring the sound

If you’ve been producing music for a while, you’ll probably have all of this gear already, if not that’s ok too, you just need the basics like a DAW and a microphone to start.

Microphones

When you’re recording your guitar, it’s a good idea to record your amp. The best type of microphone for recording an amp is a cardioid dynamic microphone. 

When you record from home, the acoustics usually aren't the best. A cardioid dynamic mic can help with that. The cardioid dynamic mic blocks sound from the ear and they aren’t as sensitive to loud noises which makes them ideal for recording guitar. 

Cardioid dynamic mics pick up sound from the direction they are pointed at and block out any sound coming from behind. 

You can learn more about different types of microphones in this article from Musician on a Mission.

Check out the SM57 if you’re interested in purchasing a cardioid dynamic mic. 

Mic Positioning

As mentioned before, your mic should be set up to record your amp. Ideally, your mic would be placed close to the amp to pick up any unnecessary noise.  

Your mic will pick up the best tone 0-5 inches, or 0-12.5 centimetres away from your microphone. 

If you have two microphones, try placing one farther away from the amp. This will create a roomier tone when recorded

Finding the Right Tone

It’s easy to get excited when recorded and forget some important steps. It’s important to spend a good chunk of time adjusting the EQ (equalization) on your amp and the tone controls on your guitar. 

Your goal is to have a recorded guitar tone that needs no equalization in the mix phase. It may sound difficult but it’s pretty easy to achieve. 

One good tip to remember when trying to achieve this is, turn the bass knob down a bit, as you don’t need much low end on the guitar. 

Adjusting Position and Tone

When you adjust the position and tone, you want to find the speaker cone of your amp. If you look inside the front grill, you’ll be able to tell if it’s a cloth grill. 

Position the microphone close to the amp and about halfway between the centre and the edge of the speaker cone.

If you move the microphone back and forth between the centre and the edge, the tone will become brighter or darker. 

Here’s a diagram to illustrate this concept.

As you move your microphone around you will hear the sound become darker/duller towards the edge and bright or aggressive closer to the centre. 

Some things to keep in mind

• Use a brighter tone to record lead guitar

• Use a darker tone to record a supportive part

• Use a brighter tone to record low frets

• Use a darker tone for high frets
  
  
  
  

Finding a Tone that fits with the Mix

It's important to hear the tone of the guitar in the context of the mix. So try playing along with the track as you adjust the tone. Set the tone at a place where the guitar sounds good with the rest of the track, not by itself. 

Reference Tracks

If you’re struggling to find a tone that fits well with your mix, you can find a song that has the sound you’re going for and compare it to your sound. 

Listen to the song and identify the tone. Is it clean or distorted? bright or warm? Once you identify that, you can compare it to the sound of the guitar you are recording. Then adjust your equipment accordingly. 

Changing the Tone When Overdubbing

It’s not uncommon for one guitarist to play multiple different parts in one piece. This is called overdubbing. 

An example of this would be playing the same chord progression twice and then pan one hard left and the other hard right. 

If you want to create separation in your mix, try changing the tone a bit every time you record a new part. 

Use Less Distortion and Amp Reverb

When you distort your guitar for a recording, it ends up sounding way more distorted in the mix. 

A distorted guitar has its place in live music, but when you’re recording it’s best to use less distortion. 

When you’re mixing and decide you want more distortion, it’s easy to add with an amp simulator. 

The same goes for amp reverb. If you have it on while you’re recording, you’re stuck with it. If you record with no distortion or reverb, you’ll be able to add it if you need it. 

Amp Size

The size of your amp doesn’t matter when you’re recording guitar. Because your mic will be placed close to one speaker, it doesn’t matter if that amp has one speaker or twelve. 

Many musicians prefer to have a smaller amp while recording because they like the tone. 

Headroom

A clean guitar can be very dynamic so make sure your levels are set with plenty of headroom. 

BONUS TIP:

Recording Directly

Producing professional-sounding songs from home requires some compromise.

If you are recording from home, try recording the guitar directly and then using an amp simulator to capture a good sound. 

If you decide to go this route, make sure you have a proper DI box.

This video will walk you through what a DI box does.

If you end up wishing you had recorded using an amp, you still can. A re-amping box can be used to play a clean recorded guitar track out of your DAW and into your amp. 

This way, you can take your time adjusting the tone before recording.

However, re-amping boxes are expensive and not ideal in a home studio. If you are recording at home, consider every option you have and choose wisely, because it’s difficult to change your mind. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

conclusion

Recording guitar can is straightforward once you have the right knowledge and equipment to do so. Don’t get too frustrated though if you’re still having issues with it. It will take a lot of trial and error to get the perfect guitar sound.

Are you a guitar recording pro? let us know in the comments what tips helped you get better at it!

11 Ways to Record Better Vocals

Recording vocals can be a challenging and daunting task. It can be difficult to know how to prepare, if the acoustics in the room are good for the sound, which microphones to use, and then actually having enough confidence to hit record. 

It’s normal to be nervous the first couple of times, or even the 50th time you record vocals. However, there are things you can be doing to make this process easier on yourself. 

If you’re looking for tips on how to make recording vocals less stressful, keep reading. 

Create a Relaxed Environment

Whether you are working from a studio or home, it’s important to set up a relaxed environment for the artist or yourself. This will help the vocalist to be at the top of their game and ready to sing their heart out. 

Here are some things you could offer to make the vocalist more comfortable

• Water

• Clean room and equipment

• Studio Equipment set up before their arrival

• Comfortable seating

If you’re working with other people, remember to be professional and friendly. If you’re recording your own vocals, Still take the time to prep the room and get some water, it’s important to keep yourself comfortable too!

Be Positive

Throughout the recording session, constantly encourage the vocalist. Tell them that they are doing a great job, and if you have any suggestions or criticism to add, make sure it is in a positive and professional manner. 

However, It’s important not to share too much criticism. The singer most likely has their own idea on how they want the song to turn out and as the producer, you are helping fulfill their creative vision, not changing it. 

Remember, this is a nerve-wracking thing for a lot of people to do, so a person who chooses to get out there and create music to share with the world are incredibly brave.

Acoustics

Acoustics are a small thing that make a big difference in a track. It's important to pick the right room if you’re recording at home. 

The room you chose to record in should have lots of soft furnishings like a living room or a bedroom. It’s best to avoid rooms with lots of windows.

You want the room to be as dead as possible without being too dead. It’s all about finding balance. When there is too much sound being absorbed in a room, it can lead to muffled highs and an overall unnatural sound.  

Levels

Levels can be a tricky thing to get right. Ideally, your levels should maximize dynamic range, but still preserve headroom. Headroom leaves a certain amount of volume open to allow the mixing engineer to increase volume later that won’t raise floor noise. 

At the beginning of the session, have the vocalist sing a louder portion of the song so you can see how loud they will go and adjust accordingly. From there you can monitor the levels and change them throughout the session if needed. 

Check out this video from 5piece for a quick tutorial on levels. 

Record Everything

A vocalist may sing their best when they don’t have the pressure of knowing they're being recorded. So try recording while the singer warms up or rehearsing, so if they do their best performance then, you’ll be able to use it. 

Don’t use effects

When you’re recording the initial vocal tracks, don’t put any effects on it. You won’t be able to take them off if you end up not liking them. You can always add effects, so stick to recording dry. 

Use a Pop Shield

Pop shields are used to help avoid plosives. Plosives are letters like ‘p’ and ‘b’ that create a gust of air when you say them. Pop shields are placed in between the microphone and the vocalist to capture the air before it hits the mic. 

Watch this video to learn more about pop shields.

Mics

Knowing how a vocalist sings is crucial to recording their vocals right. 

Things you should know about your vocalist’s style

• Are they dynamic? 

• Do they tend to sing quieter? 

• Do they move around a lot while singing?

Different types of mics are better suited for certain styles of vocals. For example, if you are recording a punk band that has aggressive vocals, a dynamic microphone would work well. Dynamic microphones work well when the vocalist is up close to it so it gives a live performance feel to it. 


If you’re unsure what microphone to use, a cardioid dynamic microphone is a go-to for most vocal recording sessions. These mics work well at home or in a room that might not have the best acoustics. 

Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

You can learn more about which mic is right for you here.

It’s also important to adjust the microphone height and position. A microphone that is positioned under lip level will produce a brighter sound and one that is positioned above lip level will produce a duller sound. However, a lower microphone will produce more bass because of its proximity to the chest.

Most people position the mic directly at lip level but this can lead to a bland sound. Try placing the microphone at eye level and then pointing the mic downward slightly. This technique boosts the lower midrange as well as the highs from the mouth. 

Rotating the microphone can change the tone so try playing around with positioning before you record to find a tone that works well for your vocalist.

Monitoring

The vocalist you’re working with, even if that's yourself, will need to be able to hear the song as they record the vocals. This will help them stay on key and also make for a better recording overall. 

for the singer to hear the vocals the best, provide them with a good pair of closed-back headphones that don't allow any sound to seep through.

Comps

It’s also a good idea to do multiple takes and run through the complete song multiple times. This will allow you to combine the best parts of different takes together. 

Check out this video to learn more about vocal comping is Logic Pro X. 

Make it Effortless

If you prepare well enough, the actual recording process should be fairly effortless. Once you have everything set up and ready to go, you’ll be able to focus on getting the best vocals. 

Things to listen for:

• Is the vocalist clearly articulating the words?

• Is there emotion conveyed through the singing

• Is the vocalist singing in tune

You’ll be able to focus on getting a clear sound if you get the equipment prepared properly first. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

If you’re having a hard time recording vocals or you’ve never done it before, try some of these tips, they might come in handy. 

Once you prepare, recording vocals isn’t that challenging. Just remember to stay positive and focus on getting a high-quality sound. 

Any tips we missed? Let us know in the comments below.

7 Iconic Albums Made At Home

Throughout the last year, people have experienced much pain, loss and anxiety, as the dark shadow of a world-wide pandemic threatens to throw away anything normal. During this time, many individuals have turned to the arts as a form of escapism. Painting, music, poetry, any form of art, has now become more accessible than ever as people find themselves with more time on their hands. 

Before the pandemic happened, making music at home, while not widely popular, was still an effective way of recording and producing albums. 

Artists would isolate themselves from the rest of the world and create whatever they feltl like without being judged by the outside world.

Below are seven albums that were made outside of a typical recording studio, sometimes in a bedroom, garage, or even a manor in England. 

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago  

When Justin Vernon, the man behind the band Bon Iver, found himself with a lot of feelings to process about the breakup of his former band, the end of a relationship, and numerous other things, he escaped to his father’s hunting cabin. He hadn’t planned on recording an album, but luckily, he had packed enough equipment to make it work. 

The raw, unedited nature of the album helps create a feeling of intimacy with the listener, as they are transported to this cabin in the woods through the music. 

Listen to Flume, from For Emma, Forever Ago Below.

To read more about the making of For Emma, Forever Ago, click here. 

Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen’s sixth album had much darker themes then the ones that came before and after it. Influenced by the political and economic state of America at the time, Bruce wrote songs about, murder, hopelessness, and overall dark narratives. 

The songs for Nebraska were recorded primarily with a guitar, harmonica, and glockenspiel, on a Tascam Portastudio 144 tape recorder. 

The album was made at Bruce’s home in Colts Neck, New Jersey and it was originally meant to be demos to be recorded with the E street band. After rehearsing it however, Springsteen and his team decided that the lo-fi demos better suited the lyrical content of the album, so it was left the way it is. 

Listen to Nebraska below.

To read more about Nebraska, click here. 

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Wasting light is the seventh album from the Foo Fighters. It was recorded in front man David Grohl’s garage using only analog equipment. 

Despite being recorded in a garage with the goal that it would sound like that, the album is regarded as one of the Foo Fighters best, and went on to win 5 grammys.

Listen to Bridge Burning, from Wasting Light, below.

To learn more about Wasting Light, click here.

Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails’ second album, the Downward Spiral, was recorded in the same place where actress Sharon Tate was brutally murdered by Charles Manson and more members of the Manson “family.” 

This album, as if being influenced by it’s shady location, has themes of man’s internal conflict, isolation, and helplessness. 

Despite being released nearly 30 years ago, the album and its thematic elements remain relevant to many fans today. 

Listen to Hurt, from The Downward Spiral, here. 

Read more about The Downward Spiral here.

Radiohead - Ok Computer

While discussing the recording process for their second album, Radiohead guitarist, Ed O’Brian said “We were very insecure. Studios aren’t great places necessarily for making you secure.” Perhaps this feeling had an influence where the band decided to record their third album, Ok Computer. 

Radiohead began the recording process in an apple storage shed in the british countryside, then moved to an Elizabethan manor in the town of Bath, owned by actress Jane Seymour. The ambiance of the manor helped contribute to the sound of the album

Listen to Exit Music (For a Film), From Ok Computer, here.

To read more about the creation of Ok Computer, click here.



The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St. 

Exile on Main St. is widely regarded as the greatest rock and roll album ever recorded and it was filmed in guitarist Keith Richards’, rented house in the South of France. 

The recording process was determined by Richards and his irregular work habits. 

Listen to Shake Your Hips, from Exile on Main St, here. 

To learn more about Exile on Main St. click here.

Folklore - Taylor Swift

Folklore is a great example of an album created during isolation. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Swift wrote and recorded her 8th album from the confines of her Los Angeles Home. 

Swift even collaborated with making music from home expert, Bon Iver, on the album's fourth track, Exile. Despite recording this song together, the pair has never met in real life.

Folklore was released the same day the album was announced shocking fans and critics alike. Despite the recording situation and the surprise release, Folklore won Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammys. 

Watch Taylor Swift and Bon Iver perform Exile below.

To learn more about the making of Folklore, click here.

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

These albums, all made by different artists, during different times, all seem to have one common theme. They were birthed from isolation. Whether it was forced because of a global pandemic, or welcomed to get away from the harsh eyes of critics, every artist mentioned worked with what they had and made masterpieces.

Do you have a favourite album that was recorded in an abnormal setting? Maybe it’s one that didn’t make the list. Let us know in the comments below.

Ready to release your music to the world? Check out this guide first!