Recording Overdriven Guitar ...issues

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:27 am

I recently bought a fairly low budget set up for sound recording
This includes a:
Behringer fca202 soundinterface, leading to a Behringer mic100 preamp, with an MXL DRK mic.

I'm a sound recording novice but was assured with this set up I should be able to get decent sound even with overdriven guitar.
Not really the case.

Im recording the overdrive through a new Marshal 45 watt amp.

I've tried having the mic at close range, foot away, metre away.
Up close with sheet over the top. Against the wall, bit out from wall.
Gain up, down. Reverb up, down etc etc. No I dont have any experience in recording!

The mic pics up vocals, accoustic et all bar overdrive very well.

I'm just getting an unclear sound...unfocused, and lacking character

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:09 am

hey dynamojo.
you should try recording your overdrive with a dynamic microphone up close- for example- a sure 57 or something of the like. i use 58's to record and get pretty good results.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:38 am

Typically a dynamic microphone will work better for recording a guitar cabinet. (I agree with jordy) Large diagram condenser microphones add a lot of their own character to the sound, especial at high SPL. Even though the microphone is rated to 134dB does not mean it will sound clean up that high. Normally this is 1% or 0.5% THD which is actually quite audible. (1%=-40dB)

With this in mind, it may be the overdrive and the character of the microphone to not match well. Lower volume, and less distortion may give you a more focused sound.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:25 am

hey...also.
just a suggestion.....
once you record a rythym track, record it again (maybe change the eq or gain/drive a lil bit for the second take).
once you have your two seperately recorded tracks of the same part (do not copy and paste), pan them opposite of eachother. -one like 75% right, and the other 75% left.
this should give you a nice fat guitar sound.
p.s. if you copy and paste the same track, you won't get the same thick stereo effect as you would if you take two different takes on the same part.
good luck!

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