How I Record My Guitar Tones (Currently)

In this video i wanted to show you how i go about recording my guitar tones for the videos and music i make.
Its a constantly evolving thing but i feel like this is one of the more efficient methods i’ve found so far, whilst giving me flexibilty in the tones right until the last point!
I hope you guys find it useful!
00:00 - Intro Chat
02:08 - Twin Sister into Suhr w/ GGD Cabs
03:05 - Using NDSP Cabs
04:01 - Adding Reverb
06:06 - M0100 into Torpedo
06:40 - Adding Pedals
07:05 - SLO into Boss Tube amp expander
09:20 - JVM into UA Ox
11:17 - Using the Quad Cortex
15:13 - Summary
Video edited by John Hollingworth
#rabeaafro #recordingguitar #tones
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Feel free to read this ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hey guys, I’m Rabea. Thank you so much for checking out my channel. If you wanna follow me and check out my music, my collaborations with brands or my other social channels, check out the links below!
------------------// MY MUSIC \\-------------------------
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Dorje - www.dorje.tv
------------------// COLLABORATIONS \\-------------------------
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Chapman Guitars ML3 Bea - chapmanguitars.co.uk/
Bare Knuckle Pickups Silo - www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/...
Victory Kraken - www.victoryamps.com/kraken-se...
Riff Writing Course - www.musicisum.net/writing-pro...
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[@simonk833]

Rabea, I don't know about everyone else but I'd be super, super interested in (maybe a livestream) of you starting from scratch and recording a song. I mean like really from scratch, setting up your busses, setting levels, doing your top down mixing plugins etc etc. Obviously it can take a loooong time to write a full song, so even if you just throw any old short thing together I think a lot of us would find that super helpful, or at least super interesting. I watched a vid of Misha doing the same thing from 2019 and it was really helpful

[@Pokey7317]

GREAT IDEA... I would definitely tune in for that.

[@RabeaMassaad]

That Is a cool idea. The question is do I stream it or edit down a video?

[@simonk833]

@@RabeaMassaad up to you mate, I don’t think anyone will complain either way 😄. A stream might be good if you don’t mind answering some questions along the way, but if you’d rather just do it in your own time and edit it down that’s cool too, whatever works for you. As a beginner it’d be so useful to see how you choose your plugins, how you eq, how you use your compressors and all that good stuff.

[@Craigknz]

This would be killer. Also how you program drums, your overall production and mixing techniques etc. going into detail for each instrument, drums, bass, guitars, synths etc. would be sooooo cool!

[@Charners]

Make a "alt rock" Xmas Jingle :D stream is fine

[@RedCarRecords]

Interested in recording. Came for Rabea. Stayed for the riffs.

[@maxmenius9839]

Great sounds. The software amp & cab modeling available today are mind blowing.

[@papakefis4252]

I really appreciate and enjoy this kind of content. More please! Cheers.

[@rolandguilford8301]

Thanks Rabea! Really great stuff here! All the best.

[@107guitarguy]

I am currently using a hybrid rig at home with axe fx3 in center and 2 Syn2s in loops. This video has really inspired me to take my process in a whole new direction. Thank you so much for this.

[@MrKennBak]

awesome info 👍🏻 thank you so much Bea 🤘🏻

[@slasheadlabo]

I think we don't talk enough of these sick licks Rabea plays absolutely every time

[@oliviercognaux_official]

Thanks for sharing this! 🤘

[@royalmarine1011]

Solid Video my man. Lots of knowledge here.

[@Kaiman1962]

Very Great Rabea!!!!

[@josecarloscervantes4681]

Great to have a new video < 3 : )

[@mormegil85]

I’ve been using Archetype Plini since it came out, and I never knew you could deactivate each section! 😱 Thank you for the new bits of knowledge!

[@bennyelsensohn9299]

Thanks dude! Keep em coming :P

[@jdimeleegoku2971]

Awesome, thanks for make my day

[@larrydj549]

Dang Bea shredding it up in here!!!!

[@maltekraft6186]

Incredible man, this way to record is so handy we will record guitars for the next record your way :)

[@jaconova]

Your hard rock lead playing is very special and original, Rabea. Reminds me of the great Blues Saraceno.

[@ScottGailor]

Perfect timing. I have the captor and the TAE. This will help with my new record. I love Cali cab.

[@vedasticks]

great video, mic selection and placement has a huge impact on tone. being able to make adjustments later on can be very usefull.

[@kostischaveles]

I’m following the same process for about 2 years now, works great for me as well ;)

[@jcarb001]

That Strat is wearing nicely. I doubled back on your “Strat Journey” video and you’ve certainly put some miles on that one since then.

[@austinmidwest7062]

thanks. useful stuff

[@koheiokamura5024]

参考になります。ありがとう！Rabea！

[@yellowdudewithedibleshorts]

That Strat sounds wicked dude

[@fateunleashed9680]

I started doing this kinda stuff with my instance of the Nolly plugin recently. For heavy as fuck guitar with clarity I love to slide the 57 to .8 position at 0 distance for the left mic, and swap in the 414 at 0 position and 0-.15 distance 2nd or the 3rd cab doesn't matter! It does this tight fat cheeks, with a wide open top that I can't get enough of lol! I have even used my digital keyboard as a line out into Nolly without the cab and I can add the effects to the built in instruments of the keyboard as a cheap easy solution to get a lot of sounds to play with. Cheers and I loved all the parts of the Cali demo with Nolly too!

[@PhiI93]

Bea and TPS are the benchmark for guitar tones on YT for me

[@cortical1]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Hope you're well, buddy!

[@jankomuzykant8915]

Some idea for video: your approach to find good guitar tone using these methods mentioned in the video. How do you know that mix is good enough and you can move on?

[@beastlybeast2716]

That is an eternal battle man

[@LucasMastropasqua]

@@beastlybeast2716 eternal and internal.

[@nethbt]

I think it's instinct, a byproduct of trial and error, from years of practice

[@SalmanSuhail]

Check out Rabea on “That Pedal Show” where he goes into depth on high gain tones.

[@1siriuswolf]

Goddamn that Strat sounds good

[@thunderbirdbrown3002]

Thanx Bea!!!🤘😎😈🤓🤘Cheers!!!

[@kistophe]

The reverb in Arch Nolly is literally my favourite reverb plugin. I use it on so many different things. My saved project template has aux all set up with it already on it. I just wish Nueral would release it as an individual pulgin.

[@JakedTV]

yo... this is genius.

[@jcarh]

Whoa Rabea man… thank you for this look into your workflow. So much great info. Now just incorporate a midi switch controller like the MORNINGSTAR MC8 with your MacBook, and interface and this is a amp/plugin live rig setup. XSonic has an interface/midi switch control combined in the XTone Pro which could be added to a pedalboard setup.

[@GonzoGuitar]

Nice, Rabea could you please do a quick comparison video of all load boxes with the same amp into the same cab sim with the same settings???? Would be interesting if we could hear sound differences between the load boxes?..

[@aliplaysgtr]

Second ? Amazing video man.

[@sleepwait9613]

Yep that is the best way IMHO to record the part and then adjust the sound to your liking while mixing, considering the other instruments and vocals. The cab and speaker have a huge impact on the sound and is normally understimated.

[@Jesterhead21]

One can't have enough IRs. One amp, same settings, always a different tone just by changing the ir. Love that

[@almightytreegod]

I have a hard time not mic’ing cabs since I have such good mics and cabs, but recently ran my Tremoverb directly into my interface and used a cab IR I got from another guitarist in space designer (stock in Logic) and got a hell of an amazing tone. Also thinking about combining IR and a real mic (and time-aligning of course) in the near future. Also, good fucking lord the Totemist record is killer.

[@jayl5941]

Hey, tell us about that Fatso setting! Thanks for the rundown.

[@Lamarro]

hey bea! seeing you using some in ears ... try the new beyer DT 900 Pro X ... imho the best headphones for solo playing i EVER heard

[@KelsterVonShredster]

My neck would be killing me if I had that type of ergonomic setup.....in a perfect world, the top of your monitor (screen, not speaker) should be at level with your eyes when looking straight. Cool video, never thought of using plug ins like Neural just for their cabs....very cool.

[@hyperbolekid]

Sooo glad you did this! Thank you. Very helpful. I also have a bunch of reactive loads some Friedman tube amps and neural plugins. Does this mean I can sell all my real world cabinets?? Well I guess reamping is cool too.

[@acraigjr]

Great video - Wondering what Audio Interface you are using at present? What is the chain? Keep up with these vids! So useful.

[@jonbanks3341]

This is EXACTLY what I’ve been wanting to do myself!! I love my Neural/STL plug ins, as well as the Cali IRs, and have been wanting the option to use my own amps with my IRs at home! Thanks so much for the video. If you could recommend one load box to go with, which would it be?

[@blue_mountains28]

Nice instruction rebea all great info. I do something similar but only with plugins. What I take from this video is how cool the amp into the load box sounds. Have you used the revv g20 like this to record anything? I know you did a review of the g20 but am interested to hear if you ever used it for recording anything? If so how dose it compare to the big amps into separate load boxes? Thanks again

[@davidfournier3355]

Cheers Bea, As always love your videos and talent. Can you comment on what studio monitors your using?

[@GuitarAddict101]

I use Amplitube 5. The IR sim is amazing!

[@broomwinkle]

For anyone wanting really good IRs look into York Audio. I used to use the GGD Zilla Cabs IRs but the York Audio ones sound a lot nicer to me and only cost $15 a pack.

[@GonzoGuitar]

14,99 per speaker Type .. Zilla comes as a whole pack of cabs an speakers.. not to be confused

[@kylehowdy]

I agree, york audio IRs are freaking amazing. Much prefer them over GGD stuff I've tried.

[@broomwinkle]

@@GonzoGuitar Yeah agreed but the York Audio packs do come with like 300 IRs per pack. Albeit for one speaker but they do differ quite a bit. Not putting down the GGD Zilla pack just I noticed I got a lot better tones when using the York Audio stuff and can get multiple packs for the price of the Zilla!

[@benlyons1909]

Hey man, super interesting video. I'm recording in a similar way, but with the zillions of great cab options I get a bit lost. The reason being is that when you set up your amp, you eq it to the speak/cab you have there. How do you go about setting your amp eq when you're gonna use a virtual cab and the mic positions/selections having such a big influence on tone?

[@javporin]

Rabea, would you record on DI and add VSTs? or prefer to stay with amp->load box->IRs always?

[@DadBodGuitar]

Hey Rabea, you mentioned an amp switcher at the beginning of the video. I'd be interested in a bit of a rig rundown that details your signal chain and how you use the amp switcher. Any way we can get something like that? Great video as always!

[@PaulEFoxII]

I would love more info on the amp switcher also.

[@moderndaygrinch]

Rabea, how much does the improved neck heel on your ml3 affect your access to upper frets? Is it as good as a neck thru?

[@DaveBloomDrumsOnline]

Rabea, I’m actually very curious on the drum tracks you have going on for your songs. Are you just programming with GGD? I’d love to get a video on that.

[@CanYouForget]

Love the video Bea! What sample rate do you normal record at?

[@pjmtry7]

Thank you so much for secret spilling, don't get this from most youtubers!

[@alguitarchristie]

Great sounds! What are the pick-ups on your Strat, are they noiseless?

[@timflagstad8411]

Great as always. Correct me if I'm wrong, but did you have Zilla cabs before Archetype Nolly in your DAW in the signal chain? Does it make a differencec?

[@cali3168]

Hey Rabea, what desk / workstation are you currently using? it's driving me mad trying to find the right one. Some don't allow returns so the wrong decision can be final. Thanks and thanks for the video.

[@MartyV666]

Good video. Show your DIs next time in case of re-amping

[@Grant_Ferstat]

For a guy like me Rabea, who is playing Alt-Americana sort of stuff with Voxy & Tweed style amps, would the UA OX be one of the better options for the classic/vintage amp style tones?

[@donjohnson7550]

You are just a legend, not just playing for Real Madrid, but also playing guitar. Great, Marcelo!

[@Henry-pj1td]

Will chapman ever release a run of your old signatures? They were really sick and I'm still craving an ml3 with the old paduak neck :(

[@bulletproofprs]

Saw you using the FATSO in the video. What are you using that for compression? Colour?

[@cunninghammanor]

Which load box do you prefer these days out of your batch?

[@thirtytwoforty]

What would you recommend for Mastering plug-ins or programs? been tinkering a bit with aura and not completely sold on it.

[@whichgodofthousandsmeansno5306]

This was great but need something a little more comprehensive. Like showing what hardware you are using, how to connect and set it and using the software. Couldn't really see what you were doing or how in the vid but it showed the results very well. Like someone else suggested maybe record a song or clip of a song from scratch. I know easier said then done but I think you would get a lot of hits. Need to consider many of us are pretty clueless with this stuff. I had to look up "IR" for example.

[@bionno78]

After auditioning the sound on GGD for example, when converted to WAV and loaded on QC the sound Is at lower volume i must push the level on CAB ITEM in QC about 6 DB . That problem did not occured on FM3... I Hope neuraldsp Will improve the IR loading in QC ...

[@jayl5941]

I didn’t think you could load the ggd cabs onto the QC? Aren't they stand alone?

[@bandninkasimusic6484]

I'd be interested to know what studio monitors you are using in your home studio setup.

[@Giantsbran1227]

Sorry if this is a stupid question Rabea but can I use utilize stereo effects delay/chorus pedals if using a load box and only one amp? Or would I need two amps?

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

I now use real amps into torpedo and logic plugins. No aliasing distortion generated by amp models and real tube sounds. After 20 years running the best modelers (kemper, axefx)

[@djdanger9812]

Hey Rabea awesome content as always its so cool to see such experienced musicians show theyre process especially people that get great tone like yourself. Even if we only take away one new thing or it sparks an idea to try a different approach with our own gear that's a big win from watching your content. I have a question using an amp switcher since I haven't used one before. Is it possible to use one load box and still be able to switch through different amps on the fly? Cheers and keep up the content!

[@plummetplum]

Hi Rabea, can you advise cheapest solution to hook my JCM2000 to a load box then cabinet simulator. Is the archetype nolly just a plugin? I love the idea of picking the cabinets and mic and being able to position them.

[@caopgtr]

Hi rabea , how do you feel the latency when you load the ir in the DAW?

[@montelab2334]

Rabea, i guess from your video that you con send a DI signal from TAE to your DAW. How to do ThaT ? just deactivate the speaker sim on TAE ? Thanks

[@commandercorndoggakadvs3768]

We're you playing a bit from Mouth Full of Ghosts by Dillinger?

[@BeatBoy1991]

Last year you uploaded a video for black friday in which you shared some archetype:nolly presets you made. sadly the link in the description of the video is no longer working. is there any way to still get them? Would be highly appreciated.

[@19universe81]

Hi Bea! How do you mange the use of stereo fx in the loops of your pedalboard? Do you sacrifice those and use only plugins or do you reamp the dry signal amp+cab plugin into the pedalboard?

[@RabeaMassaad]

If I’m running the dual amp rig I can run stereo effects. With the amp switcher. It can’t switch my effects loop so I have to choose one amp for the effects loop basically

[@19universe81]

@@RabeaMassaad thanks for the reply! 😊 I love those in-depth videos about your process of recording-mixing-arranging. Hope you will release a lot of new music next year!

[@JoshCastleTCM]

This is useful if you have Rabeas skill

[@babaorumstudio6280]

I'm not sure, do you use cabs from archetype Nolly + cabs from Calli simultaneously ? as always nice video and sound thanks

[@liamchristenson9091]

Have been asking myself this question can’t find an answer anywhere

[@RabeaMassaad]

No, no at the same time, I’m just showing options, on or the other.

[@WesleyACDCRythms]

Do you have an exact signal chain starting from guitar? I just started learning how to record guitar. But really cant figure it out 😅

[@zeevshaff]

Best advice I could give is just start recording, mess around.. find the sounds that you like and don’t worry about plug-ins ( Eq’s and compressors) focus on making sure the tone you’re recording is as best as you can get it at the source. After a few months messing around I promise you’ll be recording like a pro. Once you’re comfy with your daw I’d advise using slates all including plug-in pack which comes with an in depth mixing course in every genre. Can’t go wrong

[@heythere6983]

How does one add an effect pedal to a daw? I don’t use irs. I was confused when he just started using pedals . I also noticed he had other plugins , I didn’t double check, maybe limiter or compressors? I hear his humbuckers and they sound so clean and round , Iv heard this in a few of his videos, it’s gotta be some setting in his setup as opposed to the humbuckers sounding that way. Iv seen other people on their channels get similar tones out of humbuckers . Idk about irs, they’re definitely convenient but when I heard tracks processed with them the guitars seem small and tight but they lack a naturally grit and bite to them. Plus despite all the irs and mic placements available it seems like most people’s guitars today sound the same . There isn’t much character left. Probably because they are all using the same software based off the same exact gear and maybe some compression coming from all the plugin formats . I would love the idea of an ir that convinced me but idk, it always sounds lacking. It’s good sounding on it’s own way But it doesn’t sound like guitars in real life to me or guitars from records that weren’t using irs. Close but no cigar

[@RabeaMassaad]

What you heard was raw into logic, there was noEQ or compression on input. I use comp and EQ after on my vocal. I sometimes monitor with some comp but depends on the rig. The thing with IR’s for me is low end. If it’s warm and plentiful I’m happy with my IR. Because for me the biggest telling of an IR done badly is the low end. Plus you have to try it with the right setup. It’s almost like any other effect, you have to tweak to find your fave sounds. I bet if you were sat in the room with me, you’ll have enjoyed the tones a bit more. But to each their own. This is the best case scenario for me when living in a terraced house. I can’t be cranking 4x12’s hahaha

[@mikeygoda]

Does using the QC sound better than just going straight in and using the NDSP plugins?

[@ryanshearer9110]

Possibly asking the obvious but I just want to make sure. I take it you are running your heads into the amp switcher and then going from the switcher into the loadboxes as though they are cabs?

[@RabeaMassaad]

Yeah exactly. The switcher has mini loads in them whilst not engaged so they’re safe, and you just switch between loadboxes just like a cab

[@sveinunghamre324]

How is GGD Studio Cabs compared to Wall of Sound?

[@Yohahn]

i have no idea on how you get these tones out of IRs.. Everything i record with AMP di sounds like crap. I have tonnes of IRs and WoS and everything just sounds bad.. Sounds flat and not saturated enough to match the SM57. I'm starting to wonder if something is seriously wrong on my end.. I use 2 captors(xlr output direct) and one Torpedo Live and yea it sounds awful..

[@DJMoralez]

Hi Rabea, can you tell the settings that you use on the JVM, and what channel did you use? Thanks

[@RabeaMassaad]

Hey! That was OD2 orange, with all settings at half way, except channel volume which was at 3 o clock, presence on master was at 1 o clock

[@DJMoralez]

@@RabeaMassaad Thanks!!! Keep your great work.

[@jeremiahwhittington1638]

Any chance you'd ask chapman when your models may hit the u.s. everything is backorder, and i was told 3 weeks-6 months maybe longer because of shipping. Maybe give a small update for us americans.

[@tomrandall6539]

Wow I'm out of touch with guitar recording technology now! So you pretty much put all of your amps outputs through load boxes, and line out into your studio gear pretty much? Then use virtual cab and mic placement to reach the tone? I think I fell asleep under a rock and woke up 15 years later.

[@RabeaMassaad]

Hahaha I mean, these are alternative measures to having your own ability to mic up a cab. If I had the luxury of a sound proof room or isolated area I could make lots of noise, I’d totally mic cabs. But there is a lot to be said for what can be achieved through methods like this. Over the years I’ve gone in on finding out how to get the best results, for myself! And if it’s useful to others in a similar situation then Awesome :)

[@tomrandall6539]

@@RabeaMassaad Definitely; can hear from this the results you get from what you're doing are incredible. I've got tracing paper between me and the neighbours and I've had a look on using load boxes directly into the computer before to try and reserve some of that tube amp quality but alas, I never made the venture!

[@planetsab]

This is like Ola's "amp in a room"-series... just without having to do it in a room...

[@badblood44]

So effectively, instead of re-amping a DI signal, you’re re-cabbing a post amp signal. Is that the correct way of thinking about this?

[@RabeaMassaad]

Yeah pretty much. It’s just a cool way I’ve found that works well for me. Hopefully others might find it a useful workflow as well

[@bilyfethers]

Not using your Kemper much these days?

[@simonk833]

I'm just starting to get into recording at home (your fault Rabea), can I ask (anyone really) what input level do you try and get in your DAW when recording guitar? I've read a lot and some people say to aim for -18db (which comes in pretty quiet but gives a lot of headroom I guess), some say around -12db etc etc. It's a basic thing but finding it hard to get a decent answer to be honest

[@jacob7225]

it's personal preference but between -9 and -12db is what I was taught and it does the job well

[@heartofodds]

Most important is that it never clip, so you might need to adjust to that. Mixbustv is really informative, often gives you that little extra info you really need. kzbin.infovideos

[@bulletproofprs]

I've had the same struggle, was aiming for -12db for longest time, but recently been aiming to record at -6db. Saw a neural demonstration and that's what they aimed for tracking. I'm definitely an amateur though, -6db could be too hot for gain staging

[@scottpeters4401]

Is there any latency playing thru the Nolly IR’s?….I run my amps into a Load Box,then into an AxeFXIII for FX and IR’s……very interested in going this route though….

[@RabeaMassaad]

Not from my experience. As long as your buffer size isn’t too big

[@scottpeters4401]

@@RabeaMassaad I may give this a try…That new plug-in that you did the video with Nolly looks awesome…I am a V30 nut too….I have 4 quads of V30’s from 87…93…2003…and 2019….Thanks for replying!

[@guitarzpt]

What load box sounds best for you?

[@RabeaMassaad]

It’s hard to decided now I’ve got the switcher and I can listen back to back. I think it’s between the Suhr and The Boss Tube amp expander. They feel closest and sound closest to the amp IMO.

[@ryanhayden9235]

What interface does he use?

[@nicolasvandermeer2145]

Probably the only context where capturing your twin sister is acceptable 😂

[@markkessels]

What is an M0100 again??? 😅😅

[@JoeyWesterlundMusic]

Any chance of you uploading that capture?!

[@RabeaMassaad]

It’s already out there! It’s the twin sister ones I just released

[@JoeyWesterlundMusic]

@@RabeaMassaad Must have slipped passed me on the app. Definitely downloading!

[@ArielEduardoAlba]

Fourth!