Electric guitars have become very famous for music recording. Individuals and recording studios have become the most frequent users of electric guitars in their work. The beauty of using electric guitars is that they are quiet, and you can use amplifiers to connect as long as you understand how to record an electric guitar.
Electric guitars are some excellent models for recording because they maintain the best sound quality. It is possible to get the best microphones that will do guitar recording conveniently. A condenser or dynamic mic makes the best models.
We have done research that will make the recording work simpler. However, before discussing the primary connection and recording process, we need to know how to handle a few things.
Managing various settings with electric guitars
Guitar tuning
Before you get to recording using the electric guitar, you have to start with tuning. The strings and other instruments should be such that you have an easy time doing the recording. After tuning, you will notice that there is less noise from the strings.
To tune the guitar effectively, you need to know to have a tuner app or the guitar tuner. An alternative is to tune using an automatic tuner. It is vital to ensure that the tuning you do is effective and covers all the points that pertain to sound quality and note identification.
Getting the signal
You also need to get the signal right. During the recording session, it is vital to ensure that you get all the aspects right. Ensure that all the cables are in place and working.
Check the pedal to ensure that it is far from the microphone not to have any physical interruption. The interface should be as far as possible but able to perform as you expect. When there is too much noise from the environment
Choose the right amp
It is essential to have a proper amplifier if you have to get the most productive recording session. The right amp has less exposure to damages, making the chances of having a complete session very high. If you have to go to the market, it is good to ensure that you get the models that have a higher ranking.
Another thing you need to check closely is the latency. To ensure that you don’t fall out of time, it should maintain less the 10ms. Finally, your amp should offer simplicity in management and, if possible,do the various operations without having to stop playing the guitar.
Put the mic on the amp
After choosing asuitable amplifier, you need to have the right microphone. The good thing with choosing the right microphone is that you have assurance that the sound will maintain high quality. You need a condenser microphone in this case.
The good thing with condenser microphones is that they can eliminate all the background noise hence maintaining sound quality. In addition, condenser mics have a large base that allows capturing the sound to cover a wider dimension.
Structure the gain
Gain structure is another thing that you need to have a close look at. It is an art that allows you to ensure that while recording, the signals do clip. As a result, you will have the song having clarity and less exposure overlapping and noise. The song does not get too loud when playing the guitar.
Gain structure is effective because it minimizes the amount of noise that comes from your play. In addition, you have an option to see how the sound production becomes clear without making the guitar silent.
Fix everything at the design stage
Do not attempt to fix issues at the mix stage. The recording stage is the best to ensure that everything is orderly and in place. If you have to add other instruments to make the music more enjoyable, then the design stage is the best one to consider.
Some of the things you may add at this stage are the drums and rhythm instruments. They are essential because they enhance the quality of the audio. However, you need to take some care to avoid adding too many instruments as they will lower the audio quality.
Things to check before you record the electric guitar
There are some things you need to look at before you get to recording the electric guitar. By doing so, you will have the sound quality remaining enhanced and the whole process a success. Some of them are as follows.
Control room
Some people prefer to have a separate room for all their recordings. For example, even recording the guitar works best when you do it in a control room. However, the control room is not essential because you can work comfortably without it.
All you need to set in place is having a comfortable environment that will facilitate the recording process. The placement of the guitar with regards to the positioning of the amplifier is vital. Despite the room you choose to use, you still have to observe the distance between the two.
The room environment
Now the room environment comes in at this point concerning the structure. When recording the guitar, you are likely to have a room containing some noise. If there is noise in the room, then the condition remains disturbing.
The room should not have background noise because it makes the audio have funny noises. If you do not have control over the room, you will need to ensure that the microphone gets closer to the guitar.
Give a close ear
Now you need to ensure that you give the recording process a close ear. It becomes essential to check on the sound that the guitar produces to rectify before the actual recording. There is a very convenient method that you can always use to check on the sound quality.
All you need to do is ensure that you have set targets and preview the kind of sound you want. You can then proceed to do the various settings. Measuring the sound, you get against the settings is a very sober way of doing things.
The outcome is that you get the high-quality sound that matches your specific needs. You have to get it right at the design stage as it will make the final result remarkable.
Marking
You need to do marking for the various points of recording. Marking comes with the placement of the microphones in the determination of the optimal points. As you set, you need to ensure that you do markings of the various points.
The purpose of marking the points is to ensure that you get the specific points that record the highest sound quality. Such marking saves your time as you place the microphone straight away to the place you want it to work from. For example, if the microphone has a griller, you can skip this point because the rest of the work has to do with just placing the guitar.
Dual microphones
It is widespread for people to choose to use dual microphones during the recording process. The importance of using the two microphones is to create a balance between the two so that the sound is also balanced. Therefore, you will notice some differences in the tonal characteristic when you have two microphones.
The placement of the microphones is such that one records on the higher end and one on the lower end. This means that one mic will record the high volume while the other will pick sound at the lower side. So you end up having the volume standing at the middle and in the balanced position.
Which microphone do I use
Another challenge comes with the choice of microphones. Each microphone comes with features that make it best for specific functions. A good example is the condenser microphone that eliminates the background noise.
Dynamic microphones are suitable for recording but are not the best if you have to get the best capture. Condenser microphones make the best choices because they pick the major sound without the sound from the environment. Furthermore, the condenser microphone’s characteristic is such that it eliminates all the background sound, hence retaining sound clarity.
Condenser microphones have a very high quality of tonal characteristic, which supersedes that of the dynamic microphone. Therefore, it is essential to pick the best microphone. However, if the budget for the microphone is not adequate, you may have to settle for a cheaper microphone.
To eliminate background noise, you have to place the microphone closer to the guitar.
Model behavior
We have done a lot of work to capture the sound with the guitar and the microphone. However, it is not complete until you get now to the actual job of recording. We have recording software that guides the effective recording process.
The work of the software is to allow for mixing and recording. You have an option to do the duplication of the files so that you have a common and solid sound. It is essential to choose a software witha good reputation for recording as it makes the sound production.
If there are missing notes, you will have to get the errors and then correct them during the recording. It is dangerous to correct the mistakes during the mixing process. You have to correct it at the design stage during the recording.
Managing the sound
Now you also need to look at the controls so that you manage the sound. The sound should be well and balanced such that the quality remains the best. You need to ensure that the volume and all the things you add are under control such that none of them goes beyond measures.
The first thing you need to ensure that there is an order for is the amp’s controls. As you do the recording, you also need to check the effectiveness of the software. The choice of the tools you use is essential in making the recording maintain the quality you desire.
Choice of amps
The choice of amps is another thing that we are likely to ignore, but it is essential. The amplifier you choose to use must also have good quality if you need to record high-quality pieces. Therefore, you need to check the wattage of the amplifier before you pick it for use.
Sometimes the budget can be straining leading to having a bad amplifier. But it is still very wise to ensure that you get the model with the best features and quality within your budget range. Again, getting advice from recording experts is the best idea as you will get the models that have been under real-life testing.
Most people who do guitar recording choose small amps because of their potential and compatibility with guitars. They are also very good at promoting the big sound and good quality. The intensity and production when you focus them in one direction is excellent.
Using speakers with overrated amps is committing suicide. Instead, you can use a smaller amp with a huge speaker and then do the sound balancing. Achieving the high sound and proper volume is quite simple in such cases.
The choice of an amp is another thing that needs you to give a close eye on. We have seen that smaller amps seem to do better, but the quality depends on your chosen model. Some amps are small, but the quality of the sound you will get from them is devastating.
Choice of the electric guitar
Now you need to choose the proper electric guitar for recording. Various models come along with different features to boost their performance. Some make good choices for recording, while others are perfect for live performances.
Those that are good for live performances may also serve for recording but are not the best. It is also good to look at the type of recording when choosing the guitar. Classical music will need to have independent and very high-quality guitars. Jazz and rock will need heavy models that deliver excellence.
Player position
Finally, we have an essential thing to look at. The positioning of the player is essential as it makes the playability and accuracy of the notes achievable. As you play the guitar, you need to ensure that the microphone is in place and pick the sound you need.
Movements during recording bring about fluctuations in the sound you get. It is important to ensure that you are using a comfortable position not to have to shift looking for a comfortable position. Choosing the best position before you start the recording process is good.
Recording process
Now we have to do the whole recording process. We have looked at the many factors and settings that we need to place before starting the process. Once you have done all the parts and things are in order, you need to begin the process.
Prepare the guitar
The first thing you do before recording is to prepare the guitar. You need to ensure that the guitar is in a position to do the recording. Strings are some of the things you need to give a close eye on. Checking on their cleanliness and their rigidity is essential.
You then need to look at the whole status of the guitar, including the settings. It will help you not to stop recording because of minor problems.
Assemble the whole set
Now, this is a crucial stage. You need to have everything in place. Ensure that you have assembled everything such that everything is ready for the work. If you have anything to add apart from the guitar, it should be in place before the process begins.
Make sure that all the parts are working and connected to the proper ports. The microphones should be in the position that they will adequately pick the sounds.
Balance the parameters
Now you need to do some balancing of parameters. The purpose of creating the balance is to have the recording maintaining a balanced outcome. You need to ensure that you have the guitar and the beats at per.
Moreover, you need to ensure that you have all the things working as a team. If you feel that something is not working as you expect, you need to fix it up nor do away with it.
Take the tests
Now that you have set everything and there is order, you need to do the first test. The test involves checking on the quality of the recording and the outcome of all the balancing. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have taken several tests and then correct any mistake.
The sound quality should maintain at its best after doing several tests. Work on everything that is not working right during the tests.
Do the actual recording
The actual recording is the primary step you have to achieve. It is good to ensure that the rhythm is okay. Record several times so that you get a solid sound. If you have to record complex and straightforward pieces all at once, you must do them separately.
It is good to have common records together and separate records apart. You can then combine the files during the mixing so that you get the final copy. When mixing, it is good to ensure that you don’t make significant corrections.
If you need to correct anything at any stage, it sounds better to do it during the recording. You better take some time doing the record than doing it during the mixing.
Conclusion
Recording an electric guitar is not a complicated task. You only work on the parameters so that they meet your needs. You do the recording process after you do the setup. Considering the various factors and conditions is helpful as it will make the process easier and the quality best.