Recording is easier than ever before. As everybody can afford an audio interface and recording software is even, to some extent, free, everybody can start to create and record music that sounds professional. Guitar is one of the simplest instruments to record DIY. Still there are many traps and good practices that you should know before you start recording some riffs. In this post, I will provide you with the essential tips that you should follow when you record guitars.



Everybody can record professional sounding guitars

When I started playing guitar, it was not really possible to record guitars at your bedroom. Audio interfaces were expensive, there were no amp simulations that sounded nearly as good as a real cabinet with a microphone on it. Studio time was expensive too and so it was almost impossible for a new band to record a professional sounding song without spending some hundred dollars. Everything changed when the first prosumer interfaces came on the market and I discovered the first amp simulations that really sounded good even in metal and rock. Since then everything has changed. Every band can now record guitars and make them sound as professional as every producer in his expensive studio. I totally jumped onto the DIY recording bandwagon and I think every band should. In all these years, I learned what is important to get the best takes when you record your guitars in your bedroom or rehearsal space.



1. One thing never changed: Your guitar needs a good setup

That was the case when you were recording in a professional studio and it is the case today when you record in the tourbus: You need a good setup onyour guitar. Especially important are new strings. With new strings everything sounds so much more open and clear. But you should also look for intonation, action etc. How will you come up with the perfect takes when your gear is not set up the right way?



2. Learn your parts

This is also still so important. You should always exactly know what you are playing. Writing music and recording music are two totally different creative tasks and multitasking is a lie. When you are recording you should solely concentrate on that. That means also you should seek someone who handles the DAW when you are recording. If 10% of your mind and body are handling the DAW you can only get 90% focus for the playing of your guitar

3. Use a DI box

Even if your interface has an instrument input you should use a DI box. These instrument inputs are not designed with only guitars in mind, a DI box is. So you will get the best results if you record through a dedicated DI Box.



4. Play hard



Especially in metal and rock you should play the riffs like you really mean it. So play hard! Of course, do not play so hard that the notes go sharp. However, hard picking vs.soft picking can make a huge difference in tone.

5. Tune your guitar, often



You should tune your guitar really often. At least every 3 takes you record. No one can edit a detuned note out of a song. It is just not possible. Best thing you can do: Buy or burrow a guitar with an evertune bridge. Those go never out of tune and are perfect for recording.