Confusion: Recording Guitars

Discussion in 'Guitar Gear Talk Forum' started by rickkkyrich, May 18, 2011.

  1. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Hey guys..
    I was wondering if i should mic the amp for recording the guitars or just use my interface for recording.

    In simple words:
    A) Guitar-->Pedalboard-->Interface-->DAW
    B) Guitar-->Pedalboard-->Amp-->Microphone(SM58)-->Interface-->DAW

    Should it be A or B?

    I am using a Roland Cube 15X.
    I don't have a mic stand so i haven't tried option B yet.
     
  2. deepsal

    deepsal New Member

    B naturally but thats with high end amps
    i havent seen anyone doing tha with cubes
    also u shouldnt have bought a sm58 its better suited for vocals sm57 is better for instruments because it has a flat frequency response
    also the signal chain in a is wrong either you should add a cab sim pedal in the chain or add cab sim after the daw
     
  3. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Even i was thinking that cube will not do justice...I use a sansamp GT2.. won't it act as a cab sim?
    btw Is there any VST plug-in for Cab Sim? Please suggest..

    and i bought the SM58 for vocals only...
     
  4. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    Yes it will.
    Direct out from GT2 will record much better (in 95% of cases) compared to micing the amp.

    Remember micing the amp (actually speaker) has several nuances, and if you get involved in that - you are actually eating into the time that you would've put into guitar practice and simple direct recording.

    SM58 can s(h)urely do justice compared to SM57 IMO (you may not even notice the difference).
     
  5. flood

    flood New Member

  6. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Forget the miking thing...I'm better off with option A...Will save me a lot of time
     
  7. thehundredthone

    thehundredthone Well-Known Member

    The reason people mic their amps is because they've found a tone they really like and want to reproduce it on the recording without too much hassle.
     
  8. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Maybe it makes sense only with high end amps..at least a tube amp..
    Man !!! somebody buy my guitar please so i can buy a t00b amp...
     
  9. deepsal

    deepsal New Member

    Yes there is forgot the name just google,you'l find it
    and if your gt2 has a cab sim,i.e if there is an emulated output you can
    and whoever says you can get a better quality with option a
    **** off
    even those shitty dsp's have a mic option in them
    btw go on youtube and watch how to record metal guitars at home by fearedse
     
  10. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    I am here saying that You can get better quality with option A = going direct to mixer.

    As Rickky here says he has GT2. He can go direct to the board without worrying about adjusting the amp and microphone(s).
    There is a reason why that pedal is KNOWN as SANSAMP. (Sans=without)

    And my bet is that if he does engage in time (and money) consuming activity of buying a new SM57 (in spite of already having a decent SM58 - again based on your suggestion) - he will still not be able to better the tone he would by going direct via Sansmp.

    Can you tell me the reasons why going direct will sound bad compared to micing the amp?
    In fact why do ppl mic the amp?

    100th has already mentioned it but let me add to it:
    The reason people mic their amps is because they've found a tone they really like and want to reproduce it on the recording without too much hassle. And there is no other way to transfer that tone to the mixer except by using a microphone.

    Ultimately the sound technician listens the mixer via studio monitors or headphones, and then tries to get the same tone as he heard coming off the amplifier by playing around with microphone placing.

    Do you think unless you are in a recording studio with all the equipment to capture and monitor the sounds accurately - it even makes sense to use mic?

    (Of course if you have no other way of recording the amp - you simply have to use a mic)
     
  11. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Thanks for your detailed response alpha and hundredth...I think with my current setup its better to record without the amp.. Let sansamp do it for me... Moreover i think miking makes more sense when done in studio environment..
     

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