Must Have Accessories For Any Electric Guitar

by FRANK GLOVER

When you buy an electric guitar, you know that there are accessories that you can get that will make your playing easier or sound nicer. Just having the guitar itself is not enough.

Below we will discuss what some of the essentials are that you should purchase to go along with your electric guitar and why you might want to have these things. Read more »

How to Record Electric Guitar

By Fred Grazier

Recording in the home studio is done more and more these days. The electric guitar is well suited to being captured within the restrictions of this environment. Guitar amplifiers are naturally quite loud, so compared to recording violin, less soundproofing is required, not to mention the possibility of using the vast array of Amp Simulators. With Amp Simulators, a good DI or a hardware amp simulator is all you need!

So all you have in your home studio beside your instruments and amp is an MBOX, a few microphone leads, a dynamic and condenser microphone, computer, monitors and a stand! Not much, but more than enough to capture a great guitar recording. As two inputs are enough in most cases, some interesting techniques can help you get the sound you’ve always wanted.

One of the first things to do is make sure you have a great sounding instrument that is properly setup, has relatively new strings and of course, is in tune. An out of tune guitar is one of the remaining things that you can’t “Fix” in pro tools! Read more »

The Art of Microphone Placement When Recording Guitar

By Richard Marples

The biggest problem with many amateur guitarists is poor tone, and that’s the first thing you might want to correct before you start placing a microphone for recording. Get down and listen to your amp and guitar combination on microphone level – that is where the microphone would be placed when recording.

Adjust your tone so that you’re happy with it, but remember one thing: the low-end will be increased with a microphone placed close to the source, which is known as proximity effect.

Like any other piece of kit, the same microphone can give tremendously different results depending on how it is used. To get the sound you are looking for takes a bit of expertise and a lot of experimenting. Even the best microphones available can sound “boomy” and unusable if not used correctly. Read more »

What is the Difference Between Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar

Choosing the right guitar for you can be quite an ordeal. You want it to look cool hanging from around your neck, but you also want it to be comfortable and unique. You see the many different types on television and that makes it even more difficult to decide.

The first decision that you have to make is between an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar. Knowing a few things about both might help you to make an informed decision.

The difference between an acoustic and an electric guitar is simply amplification. An electric one needs an amplifier, but they are much easier to play. The electric guitar will cost more because you will have to purchase a good amp, and they both cost quite a bit of money. Read more »

How To Reduce Feedback When You Play

Written by ELMORE MUSIC

If you’ve performed live on stage or even a casual jam with your friends at band practice — one of the most annoying things guitarists have is a thing called FEEDBACK!

If you don’t know what feedback is — it’s that terrible high pitched sound that comes from speakers.

It usually happens when you place your microphone too close to the speaker or play your guitar directly in front of the amplifier. Read more »