How to Record Music From an Electric Guitar Amp

The electric guitar is a staple in modern music in every genre from heavy metal to soft jazz. It is a versatile instrument, and as such, it can sometimes be quite difficult to record. Here are some guidelines to help you record music from an electric guitar amp.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Choose your mic. The typical choice is a solid dynamic mic such as a Shure SM57. Dynamic mics can take loads of volume and provide an edge for your sound. Also consider the Sennheiser E609 or MD421 as good dynamic mic options. Condenser mics work well for softer guitar amps. Consider an AKG 414 or AudioTechnica AT4050 for a large diaphragm condenser mic.
2. Position your mic. The first thing you need to do is find where the speaker or speakers in the amp are located. Some amps have a grill you can see through, while others make you guess a little. Next, you need to choose a speaker to mic and find the center and edge of that speaker. Sound does not come from the center of the speaker cone but instead from the outside. You want your mic somewhere between an inch or two from the center and the edge of the speaker. Getting closer to the center will give you more high-end while moving out will give you more mids. If you put the mic really close to the amp, you will get more bass due to proximity effect.
3. Make adjustments. Great tone from a guitar amp is often difficult to achieve and you never want to end up EQing a guitar track in the mix. Spend time making adjustments to make sure your tone is what you want before you record. Tinker with the settings on the amp and change your mic positioning until you are happy.
4. Look for an output. Some guitar amps and many bass guitar amps have a direct output that you can plug into your recording hardware. This will allow you to record the audio without the need to mic the amp. This is often a good solution for bass guitar as it can be difficult to capture the full frequency range with a mic or a few mics.
5. Take a direct signal to re-amp. If you can't quite get the ideal tone, but you're close enough to make it work or you are pressed for time, consider taking a direct signal and re-amping it later. To do this, use a direct, or DI, box between the guitar and the amp. This will let you split the signal, sending it both to the amp and directly to your recording hardware. Then you can send the signal back through an amp later and record it.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative. Half of the fun of recording is trying new things. Remember there are no rules for recording, only guidelines.
• When using more than one mic, remember to check for phase issues.