Tips for Guitar Recording/Mixing/Close Micing?

[Rampage]

Yes, it does sound different. Whenever I tried the 96kHz setting on my interface I had to use its direct monitoring feature instead of direct monitoring from Reaper because the interface drops from 4x4 to 2x2, allowing you to either record only (using the 96R setting) or do playback only (using the 96P setting). That is where I noticed the difference in monitoring tone. Whenever I am listening to the playing with the interface's direct monitoring feature, the tone is noticeably better than whenever I monitor an armed track through Reaper or play a recorded take. And yes, I played back tracks recorded at 96kHz with the 96kHz playback setting and the tone was worse than it was via direct monitoring.

The amp definitely wasn't blaring while finding the mic position. It was maybe at moderate TV volume. Also, as far as isolation is concerned, I tried using my junky Sony earbuds with the Beyers on top of them with my ghetto foam barrier put up and I couldn't even tell the amp was on without monitoring, so I am fairly comfortable saying that I have mitigated bleed to the best of my abilities.

Tomorrow I'm going to uninstall/reinstall the interface's drivers and try a different DAW to see if I am just screwing something up with Reaper.

[Meelocheck]

Yea, recording guitars is a PITA. I have found the settings that work best for me while recording sound like "butthole" while sitting here in front of the amp. I mess with the sounds until the recording sounds right to me, not the sound coming directly out of the amp. I dunno if that makes any sense but it seems to have helped my sound while recording. Right now the amp sounds low and muddy as shit. The recording sounds pretty good though - not the warm tone I am looking for...but it has a decent sound I can live with for now. My cheapo mic seems to record the highs better than the lows so I also have to take that into consideration. There is so much trial and error involved with this it does become a huge pain in the balls sometimes.

[DNW]

Stupid question, but when you're comparing the direct monitored sound to the recorded track in Reaper... the Reaper track is dry and being played back at about the same volume, yes? Obviously having a bunch of EQ and compression on the track is going to make it sound different, and possibly shit. But even just listening at different volumes (i.e. loud to drown out the cab when direct monitoring, but quieter later on) can change how you hear it.

[thefyn]

Here are some suggestions to get rid of the crackle/fizz:

1: Try turning the output to headphones down. Sometimes with cheaper headphones (sub $80) when you tax them loud with guit freq's they fart out a high end white noise that sounds like shite.
2: Place the mic direct center, but take it backwards about 5 inches from the cone. If you still get it, twist the mic slightly but don't go beyond 45 degrees.
3: Place all the tone/gain knobs on 5, vol around 3 and record that twice and pan it side to side then play back. Then you can tweak it from there to taste.
4: Make a blanket tent over the cab and mic. Some rooms sound like shit and you get all sorts of crap slapping off walls or rattling something that bleeds into the mic.

Higher gain tones don't transfer well recorded and often sound heavier because of multitracking and panning.

[Meelocheck]

I wouldn't have even thought of step #4. That's good stuff. The room I play in has plaster walls and hard wood floors - I will definitely try that blanket idea to see what kind of difference it makes. Thanks for that tip.

[thefyn]

I wouldn't have even thought of step #4. That's good stuff. The room I play in has plaster walls and hard wood floors - I will definitely try that blanket idea to see what kind of difference it makes. Thanks for that tip.

No prob! You can buy a soundproof blanket on ebay for pretty cheap (that is what I used to use).

The guitars in my vid were done under that bad boy haha.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQoQgpMooyY[/video]

Some peeps put them on bass drums to form a tunnel for seperation/reduce boomyness too. Paramore have one of the best drum sounds and I know they did that shite on at least one album.

[NinjaRaf]

I made this a while back...maybe itll help...

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivjocfUQ7Y4[/video]

[Meelocheck]

Good stuff. I have been experimenting with mic placements and it does make a huge difference when recording. It's just a matter of finding that sweet spot. Thanks for the vid.