How To Record Guitar | Microphones For Guitar Players

Learning how to record guitar can be intimidating, when I was starting to record guitar in my home studio it took me years of bad results and experimentation to figure out what worked and what didn't. Microphones were one of the hardest things to wrap my head around, what are the differences between Dynamic, Condenser and Ribbon mics? Which microphone should I buy? Where should I place the mic on the speaker? This is a beginners guide to recording guitar at home, today we're focusing on microphones, how they work, the different types and how to use them to record great guitar sounds in your home studio.
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------Microphones used in this video------
Shure SM57 (affiliate link)
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
Blue Baby Bottle SL (affiliate link)
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Royer R-121 (affiliate link)
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Neumann U87ai (affiliate link)
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Earthworks SR25 (affiliate link)
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My Video Rig (affiliate links)
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-Universal Audio Apollo X4
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-Zoom H6 Handy Recorder
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[@hotwaff]

Rhett: "Kind of looks like an upside down heart" Me: I know a butt when I see one.

[@Finnvbot]

This guy knows what's up.

[@benoftroy]

came to the comments to say exactly this lol

[@JerryTheVeganRockstar]

“Cardio’ upside down heart pattern. Easy to remember

[@mediumshreddercheese]

Not to sound like a grandmother, but your videos are a real treat

[@KennyCarlile]

Oh, honey. Look at you. You need to eat something.

[@jom0bx189]

Who’s this young man? You’ve gotten so big!

[@alpha120689]

They do a thing

[@Andviseo]

Just eat some cookies and have a glass of milk while watching!

[@regard321]

Such a nice young man

[@Podcastage]

Rhett talking mics. I’m all in.

[@RhettShull]

Thanks man! Love your channel.

[@55billmarshall]

As a former sound engineer back in the old analogue days I can endorse this as a very clear and well explained introduction to mics and how to use them. Some of the brand names have changed but the fundamentals remain the same even in this digital age. Get the sound right at source and life is a lot easier than trying to correct it later. And the SM57 and the U87 go on and on!

[@Migler1]

I used to own 2 SM57s. Don’t think they sound that great. They sound like cheap plastic to me.

[@billtrieshmann5979]

@@Migler1 try one of the unidyne reissues, sound great

[@littlemeg137]

@@Migler1 What pres were you using? The 57 really benefits from high end mic pres. I've had great results with a 57 and a UA 610.

[@edwright6994]

Literally spent all day recording and getting mad at why my tone wasn't recording to my DAW the way I was hearing it in the room. This video was a god send. EQ and compression next please :))

[@petebrown3715]

Suggestion let's start with "What you need to have to record at home". From work area to hardware to software to set up for say a Helix or using your pedal board etc. What the cost is and some good beginner bundles etc.

[@OfirOrlinsky]

Hey. I think that your question is great but probably out of the scope of what Rhatt tried to explain. I explored a lot in your area of interest. I started small and scaled up to a full studio for recording and live band rehearsals. The answer is a little bit more complex I guess but I don’t mind investing the time and help you with options. Let me know if you want more.

[@5000rgb]

It really depends on what you are trying to do. Software is usually bundled with the interface. I'm assuming you already have a guitar and amp that produces a sound you enjoy. For the barest setup, you can get 1 microphone and a cheap interface, a mic stand, and a cable for under $200 easy. I used to record rehearsals with two strategically placed small diaphragm condenser microphones and they sounded good. Certainly not professional but you could hear everything and things sounded good. I think you should consider getting a decent microphone, cable and stand, and a cheap basic interface. SM57s and Sennheiser E609s are both about $100. The cheapest audio interfaces start at $50. You'll want to upgrade that interface soon but you will get $50 worth of education and fun out of it. Then, when you decide to plop down $200-$500 you will be making a much more informed decision.

[@5000rgb]

Also, if you are recording live, like a rehearsal, you may want some sound treatment. The natural reverb of the room generally seems much more intense if close miking is not an option.

[@MoreMeRecording]

@Pete Brown. It's said 100's of times on forums but you'll enjoy the process more and get more satisfaction if before you go all in on gear, pony up for some acoustic treatment. I built all my (12) 4'x2' 2" panels for under $200 and my bass trapping, for maybe $50. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

[@5000rgb]

@@MoreMeRecording What did you build the panels out of?

[@Drew_Gliebe]

We need an episode on how many guitarists with tinnitus are needed in order to hear all frequencies when recording.

[@notbraindead7298]

The sad truth is that the differences between mics, speakers and pickups can barely be heard by many of us old school musicians.

[@MoreMeRecording]

@@notbraindead7298 Very very true. I have pretty bad tinnitus in my L ear, but my R ear is more or less still pretty sharp - which for an old guy, I'm lucky. I have to swing my R ear towards both speakers quite often when I'm doing critical mixing as my 5K has been really damaged in my L ear...

[@notbraindead7298]

@@MoreMeRecording I'm sorry to read of your loss of higher frequencies in your left ear, it's certainly a handicap for someone who loves the recording processes. Most of the guys in my age group that spent considerable time in bar bands have the same loss of hearing that we have. I think the kids coming into the live music world have been better informed about hearing loss and certainly have plenty of old farts to learn from. Things are vastly different in todays gigging and recording. 100 watt and 200 watt amps (cranked) were desirable when I was a kid and you had to crank them to get them to distort. Kids today have amps that will do heavy metal at less than bedroom volume.

[@kristian7363]

Important thing to remember about the R121 is that even though it's figure 8, the backside has a significantly lower SPL limit at 115 dB, compared to the frontside 135 dB limit. The backside is a little brighter sounding, so a lot of people tend to use the different sides for different sound sources, especially for micing acoustic instruments. Avoid using the backside to close mic your cranked stack...

[@HerrMeier007]

From all the guitarists on KZbin I always loved your recorded guitar sound the most, because it sounds the most alive and “raw” somehow, so this video is really really helpful to make my own recordings sound a bit more lively!

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

What perfect timing! The band has been talking about setting up a recording studio. Better yet, band practice is in a few hours from now. I will make sure to show them this video.

[@matthewkuttruff3045]

Rhett, you and Rick Beato are an absolute wealth of invaluable information for us home recording axe-slingers. Thanks for everything you do, man!

[@johndubchak]

I couldn't agree more.

[@OniDasAlagoas]

Rett, I love that you started this guide series. One of the things the always gets me is how to use daws for adding effects and eq if (and when) needed. I would appretiate if you took the time to talk about this next time. Cheers.

[@williammyers9209]

This. Please more of this. Details like avoiding clipping, balancing EQ, balancing a mix, recording with a mic and amp vs something like a Helix/ iridium. All some stuff that would be great to hear about. Love your content man!

[@kevinterruption]

This video meets me at a perfect time in my home-recording development. Thanks for all the the helpful detail and practical perspectives, Rhett.

[@theclearytheory7169]

This was fantastic, thanks, Rhett! Easily the best youtube video I've found on the subject so far.

[@hoop416]

As a gigging guitarist in a rock trio your explanations and demonstrations have given me more to think about on how to mic my amp when playings and doing some minor home recording. Thank you so much!!! Very helpful and infomative!

[@srsanders455]

Thanks Rhett, all good to know stuff here, you are saving people a ton of time and heart ache. Been doing this a long time and still picked up a trick or two.

[@johnsheehan756]

That was very helpful, especially the sound comparisons: mic vs mic, placement vs placement. Actually hearing the differences takes it from the theoretical to the practical. Thank you very much.

[@fleshdestroyerr]

Just in time! I buying some stuff for my home "studio" on my kitchen and info about mics was really useful! Thank you Rhett, greetings from Russia!

[@FabrizioCalderara76]

Your videos are always amazing, interesting and plenty of good suggestions. Thanks a lot for sharing your great experience, Rhett!

[@dustinthiessen]

Fun fact! Most multi pattern microphones will have differing frequency responses per pattern, so not only do you have a tonal shift from more/less ambience in the room, but the mic itself usually will change tonally as well. If you were in an anechoic chamber and you switched patterns on the mc, you'd still hear a tonal shift.

[@ericwelin]

As an aspiring self recorder this is a great and really informative video. Would love more deep dives into what you need to record at home. Thank you for a great video!

[@matthewscheiper6973]

Thank you Rhett! This is exactly where I am right now in first time guitar recording.

[@therealme2879]

This video answered every question I had about cab micing. Thanks for breaking it down and making it easy to understand. Excellent examples too!

[@roywalton3981]

One of the most concise and clearest informational videos (on any topic) that I've seen, thanks Rhett!

[@davidpepper442]

Hey Rhett, thanks so much for this video. You put a subject that has always mystified me into simple, straightforward terms. This vid will be the perfect reference that I can keep coming back to when I start recording. Invaluable!

[@AlbusBand]

Excellent video per usual. I’ve always enjoyed messing around with different mics and this video did a fantastic job showing the “Why & What” of each mic. In news that surprises no one, Rhett has again made a fantastic video. Love ya brother, hope all’s well and you & the family are staying safe.

[@picksalot1]

That was one of the best videos I've seen as a practical guide and introduction to using microphones. Much of what Rhett talked about also applies to Modelers and the simulated mics inside of them. I have an HX Stomp, and the excessive highs, and fizzy, sizzling overdrive/distortion tone was really irritating on many of the Presets. After adjusting all the usual suspects (sag, bias, biasX, high/low cut, etc.) which did help some, I discovered that it was the "57 Dynamic" mic, i.e. a Shure SM57 being used in the Preset. I switched that out for the "Ribbon 160" mic, and finally got the tone I was looking for.

[@bloomer.musicuk]

Thank you so much for the attention to detail with this video! I've saved this to my playlist and will continue to use it as a guide until the knowledge is fully cemented. Thanks again

[@Gusramosferreira]

This was so interesting I was grabing my chair not to miss anything, scrolling back severall times. Very nice and thank you very much. You're a great musician but also, even if without knowing, you're a great teacher. Your passion for the gear and music shure helps bring the message across. Once again, thank you!

[@georgespencer3973]

One of your best videos yet, Rhett. Thank you for the lesson!

[@washingtonbob49]

Thank you Rhett for another outstanding video. I would like to hear more about setting up a simple DAW and how I can start to record my songs. Thanks so much.

[@louis6331]

Really good information for people to know it’s very important when you’re recording especially when you’re recording otherwise things end up not coming out the way you wanted them to to begin with. Great job explaining that.

[@banchyy09]

Finally decided to start recording a bit. I know nothing of the basics of interface/DAW. Would really like a continuation of this series that just outline the basics of how to actually capture the sound in a DAW and basics of eq/compression/reverb. Would be really cool to also spread some focus to the acoustic players!

[@humbuckercafe]

Great tutorial 👍 Thanks Rhett! Really awaitng an episode on mic preamps/interfaces and how to set them properly when recording electric or acoustic guitar.

[@gfunkk]

This is one of the best videos you have made Rhett. Great job.

[@brunoromiti7708]

you’re on a roll rhett! great videos you’ve been doing! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ScottMcdonaldMusic]

Love this new series, just the information I needed.

[@joelluth6384]

So much great info packed into 20 minutes. Looking forward to part 2, please cover which of the three mics will make me play better

[@ipelegeng]

Great stuff Rhett! Very interesting information very well presented! Love it, thanks!

[@scottdematteo]

Great video. I just started using a R10 and a SM57 live and this video helped me out. Thanks so much.

[@modernmusicstudio303]

Such a great lesson! Great explanations on the differences in dynamic and condenser mics and how they operate. Thanks for sharing!

[@hardlygrooving4221]

great way of showing how mic placement matter! as a newbie experimenting myself on the topic I appreciate the effort that went into making this video. thanks!

[@jonsguitarlessons2500]

Very good video, very entertaining to watch. I've focused on technique so much over the past couple of years but learning about music technology really is the next step

[@thesavagefactory7781]

A crash course on using/comparing DAWs would be awesome. Btw, excellent timing on this series. We’re getting ready to record at home for the first time and this was super helpful!

[@andreweasombentley4703]

There is complete lack of content from most of the major guitar channels on basics of home recording. Please keep this coming!

[@jethro_bardot]

I finally just bought a new interface yesterday and I need to piece together the rest of my recording rig. Looking forward to this.

[@stacey_1111rh]

Thanks Rhett there is so much good info in this video! Keep up the good work!

[@rjguitbox3267]

Thank you, Rhett, that was a good refresher on mic technique. Yes, I would like to see a video session on DAW's, there's been some new advances along with all the home studios being created.

[@chrisrussoroos6091]

Amazing job Brett you are a great teacher as well as musician

[@scottbomberg7904]

i needed this. great video, rhett has fostered the next generation of guitarists

[@greghee2109]

GREAT video sir! I'm actually in the market for my first mic and this helps a lot. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@filipsikorski1821]

I've seen a lot of videos on mics, placement etc. I thought that I would skip this one - I'm glad i stayed! Great vid!

[@darron1178]

been into music recording and production for a while, but love learning new things. more videos like this please!

[@niekvanwensen]

Man this video is so well built and you explain everything so clear, really helps as someone who’s starting to record and create music, there’s so much gear and possibilities out there and it all seems like total abracadabra to me😅 I’d love to directly copy the sound that comes out of my amp instead of plugging the guitar directly into the interface. The presets on logic sound absolutely horrible to me compared to the sound from my amp

[@phillipasby9202]

Super super helpful - starting to get into home recording and this is a really great primer.

[@tonyhill2318]

This video explained so many things I've been wondering about.... excellent.

[@wilbergroen]

Superb guide man! Not only for real life recording, but also for amp simulation!

[@2ndEditionBryce]

As someone who knows a lot about mics you did a fantastic job explaining everything and your examples were great! Very well spoken and you were concise and clear. Also I just realized that I've watched maybe 20-30 of your videos without being subscribed. I fixed that for you.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Recording guitar is definitely important to getting and making music together! Great information!

[@91niconob]

Is that you Magic?

[@audiofrank6747]

Wow very clear and precise! Straight to the point! Thank you!

[@daviddupree1155]

Your in the prime of life Rhett and your really homing your skills.

[@federicovalverde2192]

Just today I was thinking on searching a tutorial on how to do this and before you know it, Rhett popped up with this video today. Thank you for the info man!

[@concretebadger]

Awesome! This is definitely one of those "I wish I'd seen something like this when I was starting out" vids. What I think would be great as a follow-up to this is a quick run-down of the interface options, but personally I'd be really interested in how you use eq on recording guitar.

[@andymartin740]

I learn so much from your videos. I have been afraid to jump into buying tube amp because I am or was intimidated by all the tech stuff, pedals, microphones etc. I am purchasing a tube amp this weekend and ready to use it thx to videos you’ve made

[@frankricci8904]

Awesome video man. Really good stuff for beginners. I would love to see a video continuing the signal chain through the Pre amp,compressor,eq and into the daw. Maybe showing different flavours of preamps compressors and eq’s. anyways you’re awesome. Love your channel.

[@steverok67]

Great job on this. And great guitar playing too. You've got it down, man.

[@JonMackenzieGuitarist]

That was so informative. Excellent and totally worthwhile video. Thank you.

[@sheridanlindee2219]

It's so great to hear the differences to clearly! How much difference do choices made in the rest of the mic signal chain change the sound? Mic preamps/compressors/in the box gear etc.

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

Great video Rhett, this video will hit over 1m views I guarantee. Very helpful to a lot of people.

[@blueishmondayproject3491]

Thank you for that great video, Rhett! Been looking around for such a comparison, with a descent quality, and they're really not easy to find... The unfortunate collateral lesson about the temperature of the light you throw into the grill was pretty sad, but also very relevant! Cheers!

[@samusbros66]

Hey man, great video, really enjoyed everything, u summarized all this process pretty well, and it couldn't get more clear, thanks and greetings!

[@scottpickett9779]

Awesome video and perfect timing we are going to start some recording seesions in the next few week. Thanks Rhett!

[@Johnson_T_Picklerod]

Great job, Rhett. Very nice breakdown...learned a lot.

[@alicegarner7840]

Really clear explanations and demonstrations, thank you!

[@jeffwithajay42]

Seriously great video thanks Rhett. Very informative 👍🏼

[@JLSGuitars]

Thanks Rhett. Very good info and presented very well.

[@KeganVanSickle]

Awesome video, this is so helpful. Thank you Rhett!

[@scottgibbs5903]

Thanks Professor Shull. A great way to spend my Saturday morning.

[@user-me2tp1tn7f]

Great video, Rhett! Thank you, very enlightening!

[@lizhassack]

I am primarily starting to record acoustic guitar and voice at home but found this info really interesting and informative. Thanks

[@mumfie4936]

So helpful man!! Thank you so much for knowledge and good advice!

[@JohnTurner678]

This is such a helpful video I’ve been using an sm57 to record my DRRI and didn’t know any of this so thanks :)

[@vividvulpe9842]

Terrific video, Rhett! I'll try to apply what I learned to amplitube today after work.

[@briancrabaugh6966]

This video was great and easy to understand! Keep on killin’ it!

[@wepsicola]

Nice work Rhett! Recording (among other instruments) guitar upcoming weekend. Using a sm57, or an md421 in combination with a condenser. This vid is inspiring!

[@kevincothron5089]

All condenser mics use phantom power. The figure 8 is called bi directional. Good to hear the different sounds from them. Been a recording engineer for a long time. Love your work Rhett.

[@flockabutt]

I would love to see a video in the series on what is compression and what are the many ways you can use compression for recording at home (from your guitar tone to mic compression to mixing). (:

[@vechap]

Good thing you were holding a match up to it! :) Thanks Rhett, I thought this was really well done!!!

[@greddoch95]

This video was such a good use of 20 minutes. Dense with good knowledge for a beginner. Thanks!

[@waller06]

Amazing timing Rhett was just looking to buy myself an audio interface and mic. Thanks for the tips!!

[@FistPie]

Holy moly this is a great video. Tons of clear information.

[@ChryskylodonInstitute]

You are a real inspirational & educational man. Cheers to your talents!

[@p_lawls]

Thanks for posting. I’d love to see something on outboard mic pres. I’ve been recording mostly with profilers and plugins. Just this weekend got a SM57 out, a cheap mic pre, and the deluxe reverb. Had a blast and enjoyed it just as much if not more than doing the profiler/plug-in thing. It would be cool to see recommendations on pres for entry level, middle of the road, and high end. Cheers man!

[@lennartwei2693]

This is a topic I have been very interested in lately, thanks a lot. More recording videos would be awesome

[@sugatooth]

Awesome video, thanks Rhett

[@danielvillarreal_musician]

Wonderfully explained mate! Great video as always

[@zahanmehta5726]

I would love a beginner's guide to recording straight into an audio interface and using software like Guitar Rig in your DAW to get a tone. I'm trying to make music in an apartment with thin walls and that seems to be the only feasible way to go about it at the moment. Really great video! When I graduate to recording with amps and mics. this is going to get repeat viewings. Thanks for all the information.

[@khrislord6234]

Great stuff… I am just starting to record, and this has really helped me make some purchasing decisions.

[@whitec59]

Wow the quality of your vids and editing is really getting pro. Keep it up