Recording guitar, to a PC

[MDV]

On input I'm a huge fan of too much frequency wise, too little effects wise.

You record with such and such reverb and find later that its in the same place where the snare sounds good and they're on top of each other and theres $%&# all you can do with it, or you change your mind about whatever effect but your stuck with it - better to add it later IMO, unless youre certain of what you want (from prior experience, if you have a system for building your mix).

Frequency wise - loads more on input and take away what you dont want sounds FAR better than too little and trying to amp up whats there.

[GuiTony]

Here's an effort.  A first effort.  A first-take, first effort.

External mic placed in front of my JTM60, mic going into a BR-600.  I've added no effects to the guitar, nor to the recording - trying to capture the sound out of the amp as my ears hear it.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=975799

3 clips showing the variation on the sounds of the pickups in my new (Mr Wez) guitar.

I'm really not after comments about the playing, but comments about how the recording sounds would be most appreciated.  Tips for how I could improve the recorded sound?

[MDV]

Well, listening now...

Its rather fizzy and shallow, theres a lot of the room in it, not a terribly nice room either, sounds small, not much guts or drive to the sound. Lower the gain and presence, increase mids and bass (watch that one, probably need to isolate the cab or lift it off the ground), increase the volume to get the speaker moving and distorting (if practicable where you are), try moving the mic more towards the edge of the speaker, and angle it a bit as well, set up a couple of amp/cab height props around the cab and drape a heavy blanket or a duvet or something similar round the cab and the mic, make sure its pulled tight.

The cleans are really nice, no complaints there (but cleans are way easier)

[MDV]

Oh, the playing was pretty good :)

[Lew]

Turn it up really loud and snake your lead out of the room and play outside. On track 1 I could hear you acoustically playing the guitar, the only signal being caught should be the amplified one.

Sounds good  8)

[Dr. Vic]

I don't have any mics, or mixers, (nor access to a studio!), but I do have plenty of PCs, a couple of interface devices, and some suitable software.  But that's where it gets frustrating ... as soon as I plug guitar into PC, through (eg Guitar Port or my Pocket Pod), the associated software gives me all sorts of amp/cab simulation and fx options ... none of which get close to sounding like the original sound I wanted to capture.

The software changes the sound of the guitar.  Ok, so the real-life amp and speakers are changing the sound too, but that effect sounds a lot more natural, pleasant and satisfying than do the software equivalents. 

Anyone got an answer, or comments, or suggestions ... ?

Just look at the Zoom H4 N  handy 4 track recorder (24 bits) with built in quality microphone : the best money can buy

http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1994

 PDT_003

[Twinfan]

I've got a Zoom H4 - really, really useful piece of kit.  I've recorded my band with it, plus I use it home as a scratchpad.  One of the best £100 I've spent on gear.

This is me straight into my Martamp Deluxe with my CS Tele.  It's using the in-built mics on the Zoom.

http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Deluxe.mp3

[Dr. Vic]

that's one nice recording : the in-builtl microphones are indeed very good.

may I ask what do you call a "scratchpad" ?
(Still need to improve my bad english !  :lol:)

[Twinfan]

Sorry Dr Vic, didn't realise you weren't English!

A scratchpad is a notepad, or something to put ideas down on?  In my example, I use the Zoom H4 to hear back how my tone sounds or to compare two guitars through the same amp.

Thanks for the kind words.  That particular amp is perfect for recording with.  The volume was only around 'loud TV' level.

[Dr. Vic]

Thanks for the tip twinfan !

As for me, the H4N will stay my "only one" device for any home recording situation, as a result I'll use it as a scratchpad or dictaphone for some events as well as my "little home studio", while pushing his capabilities to their max !