R-TRACK 2X2: How To Record An Electric Guitar

Introduction

Recording an electric guitar in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is simple and can be done in multiple ways. This guide will walk you through:

• Mic'ing an amplifier
• Recording directly via DI (Direct Input)
• Blending mic and DI for a full sound
• Using multiple microphones for advanced tone shaping

This tutorial uses Logic Pro X and the Rockville R-Track 2x2 interface, but the steps apply to any DAW, interface, or operating system (Mac/PC).

Method 1: Recording an Amp with One Microphone

1. Connecting the Microphone to Your Interface

• Plug an XLR cable into your microphone and the interface input (e.g., Input 1).
• If using a condenser microphone, activate phantom power (48V).

2. Choosing the Right Mic Placement

The microphone’s placement in relation to the amp's speaker cone dramatically affects the tone:

• Center of the speaker cone → Brighter, more high-end presence.
• Edge of the speaker cone → Warmer, more bass-heavy tone.
• Off-axis (angled mic placement) → Reduces harshness and adds depth.

Tip: Shine a flashlight into the speaker grille to locate the speaker cone.

3. Setting Up the DAW

• Create a new track and assign it to the same input as your mic (e.g., Input 1).
• Adjust the gain knob on the interface to get a clean signal.
• Check your amp volume—it affects the signal strength.
• Once levels are set, start recording!

Method 2: Recording with a DI (Direct Input) and Amp Mic Together

A DI box captures the clean, unprocessed guitar signal while still allowing you to mic the amp. This setup provides more flexibility in mixing.

1. Connecting the Guitar and DI Box

• Plug your guitar into the DI box input using a ¼-inch cable.
• Take another ¼-inch cable from the DI box "Thru" output and plug it into the guitar amp.
• Take an XLR cable from the DI box output and connect it to the interface (e.g., Input 2).
• Place a microphone on the guitar amp and connect it to Input 1 of the interface.

2. Setting Up the DAW

• Create two tracks in your DAW:
  • Track 1: Mic input (e.g., Input 1).
  • Track 2: DI input (e.g., Input 2).
• Adjust the gain knobs for both inputs.
• If you hear buzzing, try using the Ground Lift switch on the DI box.
• Start recording and blend the two signals for a fuller sound!

Method 3: Recording with Two Microphones

Using two microphones on the amp allows you to blend different tones for a richer sound.

1. Choosing the Microphone Types

• Dynamic microphone → Captures punchy, focused tones.
• Condenser microphone → Captures detailed, room-filling sound.

2. Mic Placement for a Two-Mic Setup

• Mic 1 (Dynamic): Placed between the center and edge of the speaker for balance.
• Mic 2 (Condenser): Placed next to Mic 1, slightly off-axis for depth.

3. Setting Up the DAW

• Connect both microphones to the interface (Input 1 & Input 2).
• Create two separate tracks, setting each track to the correct input.
• Adjust gain levels evenly.
• Invert phase on one track if needed to prevent phase cancellation.
• Once levels are set, start recording!

Conclusion

Recording an electric guitar can be done in multiple ways, and each method offers unique sound characteristics:

Single mic setup → Simple and effective.

DI + Mic setup → Blend a clean and amp tone for flexibility.

Two-mic setup → Capture more detail and depth.

Experiment with mic placement, blending signals, and adjusting amp settings to find the sound that fits your music.