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Advice for recording Electric Guitar

Hi there, here is a blog article for guitarists and people who record guitarists on some of the recording techniques for recording electric guitar that I have learnt over the years. Firstly before you start to record yourself or somebody else playing guitar think and discuss the sound you want to record, is it an upfront sound cutting and direct or does it need to be softer or more ambient? Knowing what you want will help you determine where to put the microphone or microphones or whether you use a microphone or not.

Secondly, new strings will always give the best results because you can dull the sound by cutting the mid range but if the strings are old you cannot really brighten them up and the attack will be slow as old strings do not react as quickly as new ones and are impossible to tune properly. Which leads us on to an even more crucial issue.

Tuning, is the guitar out of tune? Tell the guitarist to tune up and make sure they have referenced their tuning with the song they are recording because sometimes a tuner can be defective or the keyboards are tuned up or down a little. Remember out of tune guitars stick out lick sore thumbs! If the guitar is going out of tune while recording then get the player to stretch the strings in by bending each string up and down the neck then tune repeating this process until the guitar stays in tune, this may take ten minutes but will save time and heartache in the long run.

An often neglected aspect of tuning is intonation. Check the intonation on the guitar and if it is not good then get it sorted as it will create weird tuning issues particularly further up the neck. If the guitar is a dud then find one that is not. If you do not know how to do the intonation then you tube it!

While the guitarist is sorting out his tuning and warming up his fingers get some boom stands set up around his amplifier. For starters mic the amp close with a dynamic microphone such as Shure SM57, there are plenty of inexpensive dynamic microphones that will do a good job. Move the microphone around until you find the sweet spot or best sounding speaker, having someone move the microphone while the guitarist plays and you monitor in the control room is the easiest way to detect it, obviously you need to let them know when they have found it so they can get the microphone on a stand in that exact spot. A forty five degree angle pointing in towards the center dome an inch from the grill usually works well but experimenting is important and helps build experience.

Micing the amplifier from a distance (ambient micing) will produce softer rounder tones so at first try six feet away maybe five feet from the floor with a large diaphragm condenser microphone (you do not need a Neumann to get good results) pointing towards the speaker. Move the microphone further or closer to the amp according to the sound you want to capture. Again monitoring in the control room while someone moves the microphone is a good move.

Think about where the amplifier is situated in the room, what surfaces is the sound reflecting off? Impromptu baffles such as sofas and mattresses can tame nasty reflections. You can even create a tunnel for the speaker using blankets chairs etc, this keeps down noise and reduces reflections and you can usually close and ambient mic it too giving you good options in the mix with a cleanly recorded sound. Also try putting the amplifier on a crate or a platform as this will change the character of the sound as the sound hits and reflects off the floor at a different rate. If the amp has an open back stick a microphone there, it may sound good.

If you have the tracks spare then DI the guitar so if you are not convinced of the guitar sound you can rerecord it by sending out what you have recorded into a different amplifier this allows you to play with the settings when you have reflected on things a bit more. This is also great for trying amp simulators as a clean signal works best for such plugins. And remember recording direct into the desk with the trim well up can give you amazing distortion but not all mixing desk pre amps were born equal so do not expect the guitar sound from The Beatles’ Revolution from a 60 buck Behringer 4 channel mixer.

If you mic the amp close and far equalize and blend the two tracks in the mix to taste, usually on top of each other so they become one sound, one will probably need to be more prominent. And do not forget that if you are using multiple microphones always check for any phase issues.

Some engineers will close mic the actual guitar to get the sound of the plectrum hitting the strings and place it under the main guitar in the mix, this can change the perceived dynamics and attack. It is worth remembering that you don’t usually need to record electric guitars with compression and that recording electric guitars with no equalization (aka Flat) is not usually a problem. Remember the guitarist will probably know his sound better than you do so do not try to do his job for him. Also do not squash the sound: try to leave plenty of headroom when recording so that any dynamics and fast transients are not lost: peaking at -6 decibels is not the end of the world in this digital age.

Analyze the guitar sound as you go along and determine if the guitar sound is effects laden? If the sound is great then print it, if you are recording a direct signal too your options will still be open. If the guitar sound is a mess try to persuade the guitarist that applying effects after recording may be the way forward. Also determine if the guitarist knows his parts? If he does not you are probably wasting your time as well as his.

Route one stuff but try double tracking a part for fuller bigger thicker sounds. Or try double tracking a part with a different guitar for fuller bigger sounds. A lesser known technique is to double up any riffs on an acoustic guitar, if you want more weight, and place it under the main guitar in the mix, this too can change the perceived dynamics and attack; acoustic guitars have enormous dynamic range with fast transients.

With the advent of digital recording creating another track has never been easier but this does lead many towards complacency so always label parts and tracks properly: Take 005_17 may not mean a lot to you in six months time but if it is the killer solo you deleted by mistake you will soon start labeling things properly.

If you record a great performance but it is a bit out of time then digital editing can easily fix monophonic timing issues. Remember if you have several tracks for one Take edit them in blocks (all together) and always cross fade your edits! This will eliminate annoying pops and clicks.

Always try to make the guitarist feel comfortable, do not criticize his playing especially if he is paying you. As ever drink and drugs do not usually yield the best result and neither does redoing the same part fifty times. If it is not working then move on or try something different. Try to keep the mood light and positive and keep the work rate up: it is easy to get over analytical when recording guitars – as Joe Meek famously said: If it sounds right it is right.

If the guitars sound like mush try less distortion as this often gives a heavier more powerful sound – check out ACDC’s music and know your pears from your apples: sometimes a single coil guitar with gain sounds better than a humbucker guitar with gain for certain parts; the solo for Stairway To Heaven was played on a Fender Telecaster! And lastly, whether recording guitar or playing guitar for royalty free music, music on hold or Radiohead always do your best and after you get it down know when to quit: less IS more.

Free Xmas Music Gift for White Beetle Customers

Christmas is fast approaching and we putting the final touches to our Christmas gifts for all our customers. Our Xmas gifts will be delivered online on Wednesday 16th December. What are they? Well, that is a secret but what I can tell you is that, naturally, it is music and it can be used as Royalty Free Music or Music On Hold by our customers as much as they like.

Now if you are not yet a White Beetle customer you can receive our Xmas present without even making a purchase. Yes, that's right! All you have to do is register your basic details with us and subscribe to our newsletter before 18.00pm GMT Wednesday 16th December.

All subscribers will be kept up to date with all our activities and be eligible for all our exclusive offers and free gifts.

Subscribe here to White Beetle Ltd.

Alternatively, if you prefer to follow us on Twitter or Facebook:

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Thanks,

John Milner

Blog Directory

White Beetle Music On Hold Xmas CD Sale

Hello Everybody,

today marks the start of 2009 Winter sale which will continue through to the middle of January 2010. This sale is exclusive to four Music On CDs including our best seller Guitar and Piano Music On Hold CD.

The Other discounted Music On Hold CDs include:

Customer Care - Music On Hold CD

Soft Moods - Music On Hold CD

Guitar Themes - Music On Hold CD

There is approximately 25% discount available on all these four CD compilations therefore offering you great savings on great products.

Remember, White Beetle Music On Hold CDs are complete MOH solutions and no further fees or licenses are required to use these products : they are off the shelf solutions... forget about paying fees to BMI, ASCAP, PRS, MCPS etc.

So if you need to update your Music On Hold system or are sick of paying high annual fees for licensing to use MOH then NOW is the time to come over to Whitebeetle.com and save yourself some money and improve your MOH.

Thanks for you time,

John Milner

White Beetle Christmas Medley

Get your clients in a seasonal festive mood with White Beetle Ltd's sixteen minute instrumental medley of Christmas music. It is said that a little bit of thought can go a long way sometimes so changing your music on hold every now and then has to be a good thing especially if you have to put your clients on hold on a regular basis. Yes we all know Christmas is on the way but have you thought about spreading a little Christmas spirit to your customers while they are put on hold? It is a small detail but customers notice details.

The eight piece medley we have compiled is instrumental and the pieces are popular and brief so as not to annoy. The White Beetle Christmas Medley play list and instrumentation list is as follows:

1. Away In A Manger (Fantasia)
2. Ding Dong Merrily On High (Church Organ)
3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Fanatasia)
4. The Holly And The Ivy (Fantasia)
5. Jingle Bells (Fanfare)
6. O Come O Ye Faithfull (Fantasia)
7. While Shepherds Watched (Fantasia)
8. Once In Davids Royal City (Fantasia)

Vistit the White Beetle Christmas Medley product page here.

The recordings of the White Beetle Christmas Medley are owned by White Beetle Ltd and are suitable for on hold music or music on hold hardware and software : see the White Beetle Music On Hold Agreement.

Modern Business - Music On Hold CD

White Beetle Ltd is very proud to announce its latest Music On Hold CD release. The compilation called Modern Business - Music On Hold CD is perhaps one of the finest Music On Hold CD compilations available on the open market today. We are extremely excited about this release because we feel the quality of the music and its suitability for its purpose is exceptional, but rather than talk to much about it White Beetle Ltd has provided links to the individual music pieces below as well as brief written descriptions. Also please feel free to browse our music on hold categories and music on hold cd collection.

Track listing and short descriptions:

01. All In Good Time - 3m44s - A chic, modern sounding and business like funk instrumental. This piece of music on hold has a nice array of sounds creating a groovy and funky vibe. Medium tempo featuring tight funk guitar and swelling electric piano, good percussion and overall tight production.
02. Champagne Spring (Extended) - 4m46s - This peice of music on hold is a soft, warm and sparkling laid back Lounge-Jazz piece. Contemporary sound and very well produced, creating a happy, laid back feeling, featuring filtered electric piano, funky drum groove, and catchy analogue synthesizer melody and jazzy piano solo. Sounds like Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk.
03. Lounge Couch - 3m42s - This piece of music on hold is a soft, warm and sparkling Lounge-jazz instrumental. Medium to slow tempo. Spacious and lush textures using ambient sounds and samples. Excellent production with a seductive and exotic feel.
04. Hola, mi amor (Extended) - 4m47s - This extended piece of music on hold is very much a Latin styled track with a contemporary Bossa Nova style and sound. A medium quick tempo of one hundred and forty two beats per minute for Hola, mi amor and an instrument line up of Spanish guitar, chimes, piano, electric bass guitar, acoustic drums and an assortment of Brazilian hand held percussion items.
05. Beach Ball (Extended) - 3m55s - This piece of music on hold is very much a medium slow Reggae Pop instrumental (90 beats per minute) with a happy go lucky feel. Featuring instruments such as Vibra Melody, Guitar, Percussion, Marimba and Organ. Listen out for the Dub middle eight. Full of feelings of sun, vacation, beaches and sand.
06. Jump It (Extended) - 4m47s - This piece of music on hold is very much a classy Jazz-Funk instrumental with organ and synthesizer solos. Strong drum groove and funky electric guitar. Chilled out, contemporary with a Seventies 70's edge.
07. Landscape - 4m02s - This piece of music on hold is an excellent soundtrack type instrumental with tasteful guitar and piano parts, gently developing and using a subtle and well chosen array of sounds and instruments with a slow tempo and is dreamy, ambient and gentle.
08. Call Me - 4m25s - This piece of music on hold is a clever ambient piece of music based around telephone sounds. Using a nice array of electronic synthesizer sounds and electro beats this piece has a positive melody with a modern and corporate sound.
09. Dancing Bear (Extended) - 3m24s - This piece of music on hold is a Pop Jazz Funk piece of music with a beautiful Piano melody, Funk wah-wah Guitar, tight drums and synthesizer bass line.
10. Slow Motion In Green - 4m48s - This piece of music on hold is a gentle instrumental based around acoustic guitar arpeggios. Thoughtful, meandering and calm this piece develops using drums, fretless bass, percussion, strings and piano. Sounds like Sting. Has an air of pensiveness in a soft jazzy and European style and features has a medium slow tempo.
11. Ballad Of A Swinging Bird - 3m28s - This piece of music on hold is a soft gentle pop ballad with a melodic, relaxed, and warm feel. Featuring a mellow saxophone line, acoustic guitar, fretless electric bass guitar, acoustic drums, piano, hand percussion and occasional synthesizer strings. The tempo moderately slow at eighty two beats per minute and the running time is three minutes and twenty eight seconds. A romantic, sentimental and positive feel run through out the piece.
12. Painter's Dream - 3m41s - This piece of music on hold is a contemporary ambient piece of music blending eastern/Asian flavors with Western style drum beats and sound effects. Dreamy and melodic Painter's Dream has a running time of three minutes and forty one seconds and slow tempo of one hundred and eleven beats per minute.

Chirstmas Collection - Volume One

It is here and it is massive offering incredible value for money. Our largest ever CD compilation is a library collection of Christmas music aimed at the media producer and contains thirty seven royalty free music tracks that have been arranged in several different ways to provide the media producer more choice even with classic music pieces such as Jingle Bells. Different arrangements vary from using Church organ sounds right through to music boxes, harps, pianos as well as some special digital sound scapes such as Fantasia and Fanfare which provide atmospheric glistening sounds. Also, the first two tracks included on this compilation are original pieces from White Beetle's own composers and we felt that as they convey such a Christmas feel we had to include them.

Track listing and short descriptions:

1 Christmas Waltz - 3m53s - A mid tempo and very festive waltz with a running time of three minutes and fifty three seconds pre minute. With an irresistible melody and and lush arrangement Christmas Waltz captures the romance and fun of ice skating and other winter sports. The mood is gentle and the sound almost glistens like snow and ice, strong musical imagery helps creates a sense of the outdoor festive spirit.
2 Bonny Reel - 1m38s - A racing, upbeat orchestral piece of royalty free music based around a Scottish type reel. Shades of Handel with a very festive sound. Celebratory in feel and reminiscent of Celtic riffs. Conveys all the excitement of a Scottish Christmas
3 Away In A Manger (Church Organ) - 1m52s - This version of Away In A Manger is one minute and fifty seconds long and, of course, is a very well known as the first Christmas Carol young children learn. This royalty free and copyright free music version is performed on a simulated church organ.
4 Away In A Manger (Fantasia) - 1m25s - This royalty free and copyright free music version was recorded with a digital sound effect known as 'Fantasia' which produces bell sounds in stunning quality.
5 Away In A Manger (Harp) - 1m24s - This royalty free and copyright free music version was recorded with a digital harp which produces very soft string sounds in stunning quality.
6 Away In A Manger (Music Box) - 1m38s - This delicate royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a Music Box for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement.
7 Ding Dong Merrily On High (Church Organ) - 2m09s - This version of Ding Dong Merrily On High is two minutes and nine seconds long and is performed on a simulated church organ.
8 The First Noel (Music Box) - 2m46s - This delightful lullaby like royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a Music Box for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement.
9 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Church Organ Long) - 2m24s - his royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated Church Organ for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement for recreating a Christmas scene.
10 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Music Box) - 1m35s - This delightful royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a Music Box.
11 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Fantasia) - 2m13s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that delivers bell tones and sympathetic organ tones.
12 The Holly And The Ivy (Chimes) - 2m37s - his royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that blends bell chimes with soft bass tones.
13 The Holly And The Ivy (Fantasia) - 2m38s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that blends bell sounds and chimes with soft bass tones and subtle pad sounds.
14 The Holly And The Ivy (Music Box) - 2m05s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a Music Box for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement.
15 Jingle Bells (Fanfare) - 1m37s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated 'Fanfare' that delivers soft orchestra tones and sympathetic organ tones
16 Jingle Bells (Fantasia) - 1m37s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that delivers glistening bell tones and sympathetic organ tones.
17 Jingle Bells (Piano Jazzy) - 1m19s - This witty and light hearted adaptation of Jingle Bells is one minutes and nineteen seconds long.
18 Jingle Bells (Piano Short) - 0m53s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a piano for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement for recreating a Christmas scene.
19 Jingle Bells (Grand Piano) - 2m22s - This version of Jingle Bells is two minutes and twenty two seconds long and includes the music for three verses, three choruses as well as a short introduction.
20 Jingle Bells (Upright Piano) - 2m20s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on an upright piano.
21 Jingle Bells (Vibes) - 0m52s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on the vibes.
22 Oh, Come All Ye Faithful (Church Organ) - 2m10s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated church organ.
23 Oh, Come All Ye Faithful (Cathedral Organ) - 2m14s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated church organ.
24 Oh, Come All Ye Faithful (Fantasia) - 2m15s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that blends bell sounds with soft organ sounds.
25 Oh, Come All Ye Faithful (Piano) - 2m16s - his royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a grand piano.
26 Oh, Come All Ye Faithful (Music Box) - 1m37s - This lovely royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a Music Box.
27 Once In Davids Royal City (Chimes) - 1m51s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that blends crystal clear bell chimes with bass vibes.
28 Once In Davids Royal City (Fantasia) - 1m53s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that blends bell tones with with soft bass tones.
29 Once In Davids Royal City (Organ) - 2m01s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated Church organ.
30 Once In Davids Royal City (Piano) - 1m51s - his royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a grand piano.
31 Silent Night (Music Box simplified) - 1m06s - Practically monophonic, only the melody is played on a Music Box for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement.
32 Silent Night (Music Box Long) - 2m12s - A two minutes and twelve seconds long version of what is a very well known traditional Christmas Carol.
33 Silent Night (Organ) - 2m01s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated church organ.
34 Twelve Days Of Christmas (Music Box) - 3m43s - This royalty free and copyright free version which includes the music for all twelve verses is played on a music box for the specific purpose of offering the media producer/film maker an interesting choice of arrangement.
35 Twelve Days Of Christmas (Church Organ) - 3m40s - This royalty free and copyright free which includes the music for all twelve verses is played on a simulated Church organ.
36 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (Organ) - 1m52s - This royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a simulated Church organ.
37 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night (Fantasia) - 1m53s - his royalty free and copyright free music version is played on a digital sampler that blends bell chimes with soft bass tones and subtle pad sounds.