Why Do I have to Mic a Speaker? Guitar Amp Recording Basics

[@RudyAyoub]

Thanks for having me! Im tilted im not first tho

[@CA-ml3iv]

Did you wear your crocs to this session too? #crocgang

[@thomasmiezenbeek6710]

Sorry Rudy pls forgive me and keep the memes coming \m/

[@alm000]

Dude this is so cool, :)

[@INeedAttentionEXE]

MY BOI RUDY!!! PROUD OF YOU!!

[@TheSaske85]

Omaigad rudy you are hereeee

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

But, it's balanced!

[@HanYhak]

That is so quotable!!!

[@capnzilog]

Balanced or not, it's actually based off the headphone output so yes, it's cab-emulated. Not a great one by today's standards note, but it's not a raw DI.

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

@@capnzilog B-but... but, it's balanced.

[@DarrenLandrum]

That's the next t-shirt!

[@rapscallion52]

the direct out sounds like a lo-fi effect you might use for an intro before the full band kicks in

[@MarioMario-my5ib]

Dude as a rock / metal fan since I was 6 I don't get tired of saying that the sound of a distorted electric guitar is one of the most majestic sounds in this world.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Agreed!

[@MrVadymMykh]

Asked this question several times and didn't get a response as clear as you gave in this video. Thanks for being awesome and for teaching us! Que te jodes, Glenn (analogy of F.Y. 😂), cheers from Spain 🇪🇸!

[@lfox02]

De dónde eres? En Madrid, por lo menos, es que te jodan/que te den.

[@MrVadymMykh]

@@lfox02 Valencia

[@johnwallace2319]

Finally explained, with examples. Great vid

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Glad I could help!

[@gearmoe9066]

Pure truth and fact, a lot of people have never donned headphones and swept a mic across a speaker. I know when I have done this for guitarists they often look like a deer in the headlights. Try stuff.

[@janvirtanen6199]

I really like it that you spoof yourself! That proves you are awesome. A balanced and humble person can laugh at oneself

[@lespaul678]

This channel is fucking gold! Finally, I found a dude I can relate to that likes the same kind of music and I can learn from all your tips and tricks! I'm a musician and a recording engineer and I find it's a constant uphill battle. Things get so overwhelming and this helps.

[@tylerjohnson7971]

“But, it’s balanced!” needs to be a shirt now lol

[@therugburnz]

Written twice one and flipped for Comon Mode Rejection. Woman's only and you know where to print both of them..........?....... Hey maybe black yoga pants..?...?.?.?.??

[@themetalmaniac1111]

Glenn i thank my lucky stars you make these videos. Not only did i learn the importance of why you mic an amp but i enjoy those nasty sounds in terms of an effect (ie a pre-riff part) please keep making content

[@valium-fm7236]

Sounded ok on my phone. What’s all the fuss about Glenn?

[@DigitalxFe3r]

I almost fell for that

[@0x777]

No it didn't. It effin' didn't. NOTHING sounds ok on a damn phone!

[@loetbraamkolk6483]

@@0x777 nice Glenn immitation. Get an opinion of your own.

[@valium-fm7236]

@0x777 Obviously your phone isn’t as metal as my nokia 3310

[@0x777]

@@loetbraamkolk6483 I'm quite capable of having my own opinion, if it happens to be the same of someone else, I guess that someone else has a good opinion, too. :)

[@F0restRang3r]

WOW THAT CABNET DIFFERENCE!! so much more clarity between notes and the muted riffs! Glad i learned this early :)

[@timesink8947]

Glenn, just fix it in post like a real engineer!

[@benpettit4281]

lol

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Noooo!

[@JesusArmasOficial]

@@SpectreSoundStudios things should be recorded with the sound designed already before mixing. I agree with your NOOOO

[@dustrider9306]

that was a joke... @@JesusArmasOficial

[@aienbalosaienbalos4186]

Dust Rider everyone said he was joking, buts that exactly what glen did in the video...? Why you acting like its a problem to fix it in post? That's what they do with the IR effect. They are fixing the sound. In post. Just happens that is also works live and they are, perhaps, using it live. But it is still a production tool to use after the recording.

[@kingatheist7231]

This was one of the first things I wondered too. Great video! It really shows the clear difference between both methods and it sounds like 2 complete different amps. I guess it also shows a good chunk of your guitar's sound is in the speaker itself rather than the amp.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Exactly

[@DKGCustom]

About fucking time someone talks the fundamentals. Most avoid it because they dont realise that some basic stuff is just not discussed.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Thought this might be helpful

[@DKGCustom]

@@SpectreSoundStudios thats the point...it is useful. Sometimes the basics are passed over without a decent explanation. I've been moaning to people about this for years to guitarists and musicians etc. It's kind of hard to know to know what people dont know.

[@flacidhouse350]

@@DKGCustom It's weird the way people go into the studio without watching one of the hundred album "making of" documentary's.

[@ashave9100]

No need the swear !

[@flacidhouse350]

@@ashave9100 There is no need to be a little bitch either but that isn't stopping you.

[@capnzilog]

Oh, The GK 250ML - love of my life, owned three of these. Brilliant!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Awesome! I upgraded to the MLE in 1992 and stil have it. Wickedest little amp ever!

[@mycreations4527]

As a metal head musician myself, I definitely made this mistake before. I remember being so tempted to try and get the exact sound coming from my amp to the computer, but I didn’t realize at the time that your entire recording environment & the all monumental blunders that effect the sound quality combine together to make the guitar sound good.

[@RoyishGoodLooks]

Hey Glenn, I know you and others are touting Pulse as the only free IR loader for Pro Tools, but that's a bogus claim. There is also an AAX (and AU and VST) version of Boogex by Voxengo - comes with IRs, IR loader, a basic amp sim, and and EQ - all FREE! Hard to find it, maybe not as popular, maybe not the sexiest of plug-ins, BUT it's been around and I use it every day. Maybe do a review on it and see for your self! Best, Roy

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Ok, how about "free stand alone" IR Loader. :P

[@wookieblaster]

Also, Poulin LeCab 2 is also free and stand-alone!

[@StephenBecker]

Not Pro Tools, but on the completely open-source side of things, I've been using Guitarix on Linux for a few weeks now. I managed to find a site with a whole bunch of free bass amp impulse responses (many with same amp but different mic and/or location) that I've been using. Works great!

[@davidm6387]

@@wookieblaster I had trouble with LeCab2 crashing two different DAWs, using an excellent computer. I switched to using Pulse for simple things and Wall of Sound for when I want to blend lots of things.

[@borndrumming1972]

@@davidm6387 Same here. Le Cab had a Le Crash...lol

[@edwin260]

Hah, seeing Rudy out of nowhere was a pleasant surprise. Glad to see him getting plugged. Definitely the best up and coming youtuber in the metal niche.

[@darcmanschlosser]

i'm binge watching these videos. love the info my dude. thanks so much for sharing your knowledge you've solved so quickly many of the issues I've been having!

[@JorgeSalasGuitar]

Hey Glen, a lot of us live in apartments so turning up a tube amp is not the best way to record. I have found great results in using my Marshall JVM emulated out as a silent recording.

[@chiefindisguise]

In the SM57 example i hear a lot of bass boost from the proximity effect and the 4k to 5k boost the microphone naturally has, and still that's really similar to how it sounds in a room. The direct signal sounded sterile and almost kind of "bracketed", maybe it can be used as a layer.

[@OrlandoAponte]

Holy shit, I didn't know this could be done. I finally have a justification for buying a 5150/6505 amp head.

[@Dirt_Serpent]

Orlando Aponte have fun sounding exactly the same as almost everyone else then lol

[@OrlandoAponte]

@@Dirt_Serpent I don't care. I love the way they sound. The sound of a 5150 has so much character and attitude, it sounds good even for the thousandth time.

[@Dirt_Serpent]

Orlando Aponte meh, they are ok. Nothing special imo.

[@goddessintriptych7046]

@@Dirt_Serpent Special costs extra $$$. Any high gain amp that doesn't is generally designed around the same circuit, so it really shouldn't matter- especially if you can write music.

[@jasonrhodes5034]

Try the diezel stuff

[@HugoKairos]

Rudy not memeing in a video? Disappointed

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

He had to run off to work. No time for memes!

[@javonaziz5323]

Great video, this is definitely something I wish I had seen when I started out! One thing I will say is that sometimes a direct signal from an amp or pedal can be a great layer (especially when you want a slightly trashy/aggressive element). It is something I haven't tried with metal though so maybe it's not as applicable to some genres... Definitely try it out through!

[@frederickkaul2557]

)

[@charleswood2182]

Sir. This is great information. The only thing I don't like is metal. But I can endure it to receive your wisdom. That's a measure of your excellence, profound if profane.

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

I still love your tip of blending 2 mics through a cheap mixer panned to each extreme side. In that spirit. I love playing through my dual rig orange micro dark and 6505 + for the sound that each amp is missing. bass and low end from the orange and the crispness and mid push of the 6505 mixed is soooo tasty. My other band, we both uses peaveys. Dude scoops a bit and i push mids for a similar effect live. Hails from Tacoma WA

[@GodlessCommie]

The direct out just sounds like knock off Swedish death metal

[@nielsschimpf8712]

Austin Waldron kvesjnykzjf

[@gevurgeldi5423]

Sounds like a 1 guy in mom's basement black metal project

[@KapowBand]

I'm so glad I learned how to record a real amp and not rely on sims all the time. Thanks for all the info, Glenn!

[@vonbleak101]

I use a Palmer ADIG-LB to record my JCM2000 in my flat - its a load box/speaker sim in one and its 100% analogue and passive. The thing rocks and sounds amazing - its like having my cab in the room it sounds that good...Rock on

[@mouteegames]

Thanks for the great video Glenn. It's good to really understand the basic stuff

[@ollycobb4398]

I use Cab IRs all they time - they're a game changer in the world of modern recording!

[@TargetHHH101]

This was very informative, for tracking demos ive been going over to my bands space and putting a mic on the cab and record to my laptop then take them to my desktop for processing, and at one point I was using a marshall code ( Yeah yeah I know, don't worry I took it back) For silent recording in my apt, it did ok for a demo to send to the band, obviously not for a release. Anyway now that I see there are better ways to track ideas, life gets to be fun again, greetings from ohio

[@avjake]

Wow. Point taken. I have always mic'ed amps live, but this really illustrated the difference for studio in all caps. Thanks! Just moved to LA? Awesome!

[@josephalvarado4080]

Really love your Content I’m just starting out with recording you have helped me with my Journey on recording

[@JonathanFisherS]

I love these shorter videos about nailing the "absolute basics" more than anything else

[@matttaylor1449]

I'm using pulse and i now finally have my own unique tone. Thanks

[@TheSchane]

Best of luck in L.A. Hope it proves to be a smooth and prosperous transition.

[@davevandetta]

Good luck in L.A.!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Ty!

[@wampler_pedals]

Great video Glenn! I'm bookmarking this because I get this question myself quite a bit

[@JTroskaTV]

Here’s a mixing question: What do you think about mixing in mono? A lot of engineers swear by mixing in mono to ensure good separation. But here’s the problem: most guitar music relies heavily on doubled tracks panned hard left/right. These doubled guitar tracks usually partially phase each other out when summed to mono. So when I mix in mono, I have to compensate. And then the guitars are way too loud when a bring it back to stereo and the phase cancellation is gone.

[@JunkBondTrader]

I mix in stereo and just check the mix in mono occasionally

[@konnorfoxworth9632]

How to get one of the 80’s Judas Priest guitar tones: 1: Guitar amp-Direct Out 2: Flanger (chorus-sounding) 3: Slap echo (Not sure if it was Glenn Tipton or KK Downing who has that overly fizzy tone or how exactly he set it up, but the Direct Out sound reminds me of Judas Priest a little bit)

[@L.Scott_Music]

I once, long long ago, recorded a song through a BOSS DS-1 direct onto tape. Imagine THAT tone!

[@SC4211]

I'm planning on using fortunate Christmas money to invest in a tube amp and a Two Notes very soon. I tried a tube amp for the first time recently, and I could immediately tell a difference between it, and a sim. Of course, I no longer have that tube amp, because Guitar Center likes to sell busted used gear. Gained and lost my first tube amp within 24 hours. Thanks, GC

[@tnwnl]

I think that amp mikeing is a result of being an easy way to accommodate both the sound engineer and guitar player. The guitar player can play his amp as he is used to and the sound engineer gets the sound the guitar player wants with the least amount of postprocessing. It's simple and it works in most situations. You see it even live, if the mike is close enough and the sound pressure high enough there is not a lot that can overpower or even audibly influence the signal.

[@warrenxiii6721]

I'm commenting a lot haha but I love these videos. As a musician and home sound engineer, I enjoy the takes and advice you bring every video.

[@smoreshaunted]

I love Pulse. Very informative video Glenn!!

[@petebrown3715]

I am a guitar player as well Glenn and again you are a free education for me.

[@Deamonition]

also, an Impulse Response (IR) also includes the power amp that was used to drive the cabinet. So it's essentially a screenshot of the sum of: power amp + speaker + mic + mic preamp. As such, if you create two different Impulse Responses (IR) using the exact same combination of speaker + mic + mic preamp, but use a different power amp to drive the cabinet, it's going to sound slightly different. It is not going to be a major difference though. Almost not audible to some, but still some difference. Thought it was worth mentioning.

[@oliverbaier4415]

Hi Glenn! I love your channel! I have a lot to learn, your videos are greatly appreciated. Thanks. Metal Up!🤘🏻

[@nodrip1]

Another great video. Thanks Glenn

[@somberknight28]

That’s so cool and so good to know! I’m going to take this knowledge throughout my recording career!

[@mdoyleproductions9358]

Awesome explanations and examples. Learned a lot!!

[@Salien1999]

Learned this the hard way when I tried to do some home recording with an amp with a direct out. Convinced myself it sounded good, next day I had to whip myself with my own belt.

[@gainonten4031]

its better just to get a multieffects or modeller

[@TimOost]

If you're really on a budget like me, and you have an tube-pre amp with a solid state power section you could run the send of your amp through Pulse and archieve great results. (turn the master of your amp completely down.) This works rather well because a lot of your amp tone will be created through the pre-amp section and your amp's send output will ..well send you that signal

[@kinstane]

This right here is the video I've been looking for.

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

Solar guitar, 5150 head, prs 412... Thanks using great gear! Half expected a first act through line6 ;) love ya man

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Your new lighting looks very good.

[@jabileeric5061]

Hey Glenn, I wanted to know what the difference and the pros and cons of using a 2 by 12 versus a 4 by 12 cab. Also could you go into what different types of speakers and why they’re so good?

[@SgtPnkks]

direct in without any kind of cab simulation can be useful... depending on the sound you are going for... look at pretty much any industrial rock/metal act from the 90s

[@royglennie]

Yep I asked myself this question... until I tried micing the speaker, and realised just why thats the done thing. Just goes to show this is why we need to try things out, you never know what you can find.

[@tristanyokom1542]

Ok, it honestly sounded really cool when you switched between the direct and the mic. I feel like you could do something cool with that.

[@gonzorudeboy]

Very informative. As always, awesome content.

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Best of luck for ya in LA brotha!!! It's not easy being in the music biz in LA.. you gots Cajones boy! Rudy playing a Solar....nice. I use my Reload and IR's. Havent mic'd up any of my 12 cabs in almost a year. Its a shame too. SOOOO many fantastic vintage speakers just sitting around. About a dozen mics too...LOL

[@BeingAMonkey]

I like having some guitars miced, and some direct. But I like to add some harshness to my recordings at certain moments. Also I'm not making music for other people to listen to.

[@MCatwar]

wow, one of the only times where second-hand sound makes it sound better!

[@claudioaveiro8574]

Hey Glenn, Just tried to record a metal guitar with that bright mic / dark mic technique. It sounds great right off the bat! Thanks for sharing it with us wannabe producers. Greets from Portugal

[@RedHeadGuitar]

Impulse Responses are a huge game changer. Getting an awesome tone is barely possible in most home recording situations. You need a good room, a great cab, a great mic, what do I say, better get multiple great mics, and a looot of volume. At least the volume problem makes micing a cab on a regular basis impossible where I live.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Agreed! Definitely a serious option. For me, I love the hybrid setup of a real amp with a cabinet IR.

[@RedHeadGuitar]

@@SpectreSoundStudios You mentioned this before in some videos. Using an already very good sounding IR and blending in something of your own gear to add some character, to make it a little more interesting. I might get a used SM57 or one of the t-bone copies and simply try that with my Stonehead and 2x12, even though my room is far from perfect and I can't crank the amp much more than monitoring level. Or do you think this is a sure waste of money under these conditions?

[@melkorvast]

Taking it to a new level Glenn...keep up the good work :)

[@malavparmar7694]

I subbed to Rudy when he had very few subscribers im so fucking happy to see him getting more recognition

[@kmatthe4]

So here’s my newbie question, why do we even have a line out in an amp? Thanx!

[@iangarner6240]

that is so fucking cool. Ive never seen that strategy for guitar recording before. I really need to try this out.

[@parkerhatcher224]

Oh man. I want one of those auto cab mic stands! I usually mic my cab with two mics. An SM57 or a Sennheiser 906 E, and an SM7B. I've also got a beautiful 12 watt clean head that I line out in conjunction with a mic or two. I don't always use the line out. I just like having multiple options to play with. Sometimes I'll use the line out guitar to add insane effects but keep the volume down. Just a bit of soundscaping. Take care Man!

[@Skypor]

Hey Glenn, very informative video! Happy New Year! Quick question - have you ever preferred a combo amp over a 4x12 cabinet for leads?

[@smoreshaunted]

Recently discovered a breakthrough for my songwriting/practice tone, since I only have one tube amp(Engl E325) I do not want to be using it 3-4 hours a day for just practice. So, I have some Lepou amp sims open with Pulse as well some Celestion IR's. My computer SUCKS so I was experiencing cpu overloads with Lepou's Lextac open, as soon as I put it away the cpu went down, I could still have Pulse open. (I work with FL studio and already tried the macros - switch all plugins to smart disable.) So, I'm thinking. What to use in place of the amp sim since I cannot use it... That's when it hit me. A BOOST PEDAL. I grabbed my Cameron Maynard overdrive Airis pedal threw THAT in front of my interface and blended the pedal tone with my IR's. The results were nothing short of amazing, FAR better than any amp simulation I've tried, it just works. I haven't tried this with a distortion pedal but I'm sure it would sound great with the right combination. :)

[@KevPez-IS]

Direct out from amps works fine for demos and sharing ideas. I do it all the time. Sometimes I use a Two Notes load box which offers pretty good DI Out. But yeah, Mic is the way to go

[@CineMusician]

Thank you so much for your wisdom man \m/

[@samcmusic3031]

Hey Glenn! I just got the Apex ribbon mics from your drum tutorial and love the sound. Also you should review the wa76, it’s an affordable comp that has pro sounds

[@MrOnihige]

When my friend and I were young teenagers, he picked up the guitar and one day we decided to record him playing. We headed over to my house, 'cause I had a computer and a mic. He brought the guitar and a practice amp. I started up the recording software (don't remember what it was, but I had something fancy for some reason) and then experimented with the mic placement and... it was suprisingly good (considering what we had). I fiddled around with the recording (while having NO idea what the hell I was doing) but ended up sounding better... I think. Years later, he recorded a demo with his band and shared his experience with me. We were quite suprised we were doing it the right way... only with a shitty mic and amp. xD

[@CaveMonkey72]

Since most IRs are recorded from the FX return of the amp you are getting the Power Amps flavor as well as the Cab... knowing this you can technically run your pedals into a DI and Impulse loader... just include everything that you use Pre FX Return... this works best on analog amps as you dont need a load on the output.

[@sharkuel]

Direct out has it's uses, for example, if you want to record some lo-fi black metal or crust punk. The tinfoil tone is actually pretty cool for that.

[@THEzTROLLlz]

Do you need anything else between the guitar and interface besides your amp head and loadbox, and are there loadboxes that do more than 100W? Also can the loadbox be used for bass too? Very informative video btw I didn't know there was such a thing as a loadbox.

[@Silas-lc9op]

Augh.. weres the rest of the video!? That was awesome

[@pulsewhitey]

Hi glen i use marshall avt 275 i got it about 15 years ago it sounds very good.I record from my pedalboard into the amp out of line out into the scarlett 2i2,You said to always use the speaker cabinet and mike thats fair enough.Ive miked my cabinet up a few times it sounds good.taking it out of the line out works fine with me i got the mids the lows it doesnt sound to treblely with me.The line out works for me so i'l continue with that..

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

It has a speaker emulator

[@mohanlee2492]

Hi glenn I have been recording my guitars on my home studio on a 50watt solid state amp because I don't have an tube amp and a cab yet. The thing is some people say that solid state amps already have a "processed" sound and should be recorded directly and should not mic it. What are your thoughts on that? Also I have a boss metalcore pedal and a sm57, should I run my metalcore pedal to my amp and then mic it? Or use the built in distortion channel on the amp and then mic it? Sorry for the beginner question I just started out and really want to make a good guitar demos. Thanks for all the honest videos and greetings from Philippines.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

I think those people should shut the fuck up!

[@allanallan4791]

I'd say always mic the amp solid state or not nothing beats the sound of air moving past a mic.

[@JuveriSetila]

1:56 hey, wouldn't it be fun if we could blend those two signals?

[@allanallan4791]

No its not fun. that direct out tone is shit and doesnt add anything but noise into the mix

[@nasticanasta]

Resistor load boxes suck....Weber makes attenuators that use the speaker motor (voice coil)with direct input. I use one for an attenuator sounds far more natural than any resistor based load box or attenuator, I've used Ultimate, Sholz, Rivera, etc...they really change the tone. Stay away from resistor based load boxes and attenuators

[@alm000]

That snark won't soon forget the gaze of Rudy, :)

[@andreeuuetoa282]

Hi Glenn! If I would like to practice my guitar alone in my bedroom, is it preferable to listen through the amp speaker and not headphones because of the nasty sounding direct sound? Love your videos! Greetings from Estonia, Andrew

[@daleonov]

Important thing to mention though is that some loadboxes make extra noise. A friend of mine has a loadbox and when plugged into it makes sounds similar to what happens at 1:30. And yes, the sound comes from inside the box - no idea what do they use for power dissipation, but that thing drives me nuts. I even suggested to mount that thing outdoors lol

[@lunawroblewski]

I go back and forth, but when I go direct, it's not the preamp out of an amp, its my tech 21 sans amp. I got it for bass but it sounds really good on my guitar too. It helps when you're someone like me who sleeps most the day and is up all night and can't use the speaker/mic set up. I really enjoy both setups though

[@michaelleybon2100]

Hey glen, Love the channel very informative. Just like to know your thoughts on newer amps that come with line out with “speaker emulator”? I have a good friend that records direct out from a Roland jazz chorus and honestly doesn’t sound so bad but it’s a solid state amp, would it be the same for a tube amp? Also what about recording a tube amp with an attenuator with a mic? Would it affect the “tone” in any way? Get that saturated tube sound without bothering your the neighbors.

[@peterk.rosenthal1417]

I always bypass the cab block in my Axe FX because the shunt from the amp block is balanced.

[@TheHungrySurgeon]

Thanks for the answer! It appears I have much to learn.

[@brads3104]

Both sound sick, not gonna lie

[@BigDangerousDan]

Got to pull ya on this Glen. The Laney l5 can be used with out a cab!

[@Joybuzzard]

I've always gone direct, it's always worked, without an expensive studio room it sounds hollow. In your video I think you're being subjective, the first one sounded better to me.

[@brianjohnson9802]

You're joking right?

[@johnreilly9748]

Dude good vid! I dont mind the direct sound but I would certainly mix it with the miked cab something else to try is two mikes on the cab one close one several feet away

[@cleansed_in_pestilence_3004]

Fantastic explanation for idiots like me, thank you for the best explanation I’ve received on this subject \m/