Similar to acoustic guitar recording, an amp and DI can each play a crucial role in the final result, and recording both (if possible) can provide some cool options. A microphone on your guitar cab or combo's speaker captures the air movement produced by the drivers and introduces your room's tone into the recording—how much room depends on mic type and placement. The electric guitar pickup serves as the electronic sound source emitting from the instrument. Among other things, pickups can boost and/or cut signals coming from the guitar. Pickups come in active and passive configurations and differ greatly in quality, behavior and affordability.
All that’s required to record guitar is you, your electric guitar (or acoustic/electric), a cable and a computer with some freemium digital recording software. However, amps, mics, external preamps and other gear play a crucial part in crafting a great-sounding record. Let’s break down some reasons to look at these additional tools. Depending on where you are in your journey, we also have some tips for success when recording with a minimal setup.
Many like to use both a mic and a DI (direct box) when recording acoustic guitar. However, each can serve a purpose individually as well. It all comes down to the intent. The primary reason to use a mic is to capture the tonal qualities the human ear hears when the instrument is played. On the other hand, a DI converts string vibrations (from the magnets in a pickup) to electrical signals and can have a sound more similar to an electric guitar. Certain types of pickups, like piezos, function more like actual microphones, converting the physical vibrations of the instrument to a voltage, which produces a less “electronic” sound.
After getting our hands on the brand new Technics SL-1210GR turntable, we connected with some of the most respected DJs in Hip Hop culture, the Beat Junkies, to give the new decks a spin and help teach us how to scratch, live from their newly built Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.
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