How To Record Guitar on a PC computer, Laptop, iPad or Mac

One of your most frequently asked questions is how do you record a guitar on a PC, Laptop, iPad or Mac. How do you record the best, most engaging guitar sound?

Once you have mastered the basics of how to record your guitar you will be able to: share your songs; create YouTube videos of your playing; maybe even teach guitar online. Or just listen to how you sound so you can improve and perfect your guitar playing.

Electric or Acoustic Guitar?

In this post, I’ll start by examining key ways to record your electric guitar on your computer, and then move on to how to record your acoustic guitar..

But before we start. To get your perfect guitar recording, you will need to experiment, listen, tweak, and try again.

There is no single way to get a great guitar sound. However, there are some standard ways to record your guitar, so don’t be afraid to try them all, and keep experimenting until you get the guitar sound that really moves you! You can use the same guitar recording interface and a few items of recording gear to try them all. So watch the video below, then read on for more detail!

How To Record Electric Guitar – Video Tutorial

1: Record direct from your guitar into instrument input on audio interface

You may not like the sound – in fact you almost certainly won’t! However, what you do is enhance the dry signal from your guitar with various plug-ins. These will allow you to get a really decent guitar sound by adding distortion, delay, chorus etc. or by simulating amps.

The great thing about this is you can keep tweaking and changing the sound of your guitar after you have recorded.

There are literally hundreds of fantastic fx and amp simulators to choose from. Start with Garageband for free, and work your way up. Or try is Guitar Rig from Native Instruments.

2: Record direct from your guitar via guitar-usb interface

3. Connect your guitar into your amp, then connect your amp’s line output to the line input of your audio interface

This is a good way to record your guitar if you love the sound of your amp, but you don’t want to go to all the expense and trouble to mic up the speaker. You simply connect your guitar to your amp as usual, then take the line out of the amp into your interface, and you are ready to record in the software of your choice.

When you follow this method, you have three volumes to tweak and control: your guitar, your amp and your interface. So you will have to take some time to tweak all the settings until you get the sound you are looking for.

Top tip: start with the volumes low and gradually increase them. Saves the risk of blowing anything!

4. Record the sound of your amp with a microphone

This is the old standby approach, because you get to record the actual sound you’re used to hearing from your amp. And if you love that sound, then this might just be the best way to record your guitar. To get the best sound, place mic between 2 and 12 inches away from the cabinet, with mic pointing at the centre of one of the amp speakers.

Option 1: Dynamic Mic

The easiest mic for this approach is a dynamic mic. This is the most forgiving type of mic as it is not so sensitive and so you are less likely to need acoustic treatment to get a pristine recording. It is perfect for getting a nice punchy rock guitar sound.

If you use an XLR mic, such as the Shure SM57, then you need an XLR lead to connect the mic up to the microphone input of your audio interface. For this to work you will need an audio interface with XLR microphone input. Starting from scratch? Then you could buy a complete recording studio package with interface, mic, software, XLR lead and headphones.

Another option is to use a dynamic USB microphone such as the Samson Q2U. (And the benefit of this one is it is dual format so it doubles up as an XLR mic too).

Option 2: Condenser Mic

You will get a nice clean sound with a small diaphragm condenser mic such as the AKG C1000s – and this is a nice compromise between dynamic and condenser. In fact, a small diaphragm condenser is like the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of mics and is perfect for a whole range of home recording situations.

Or for a warm, full-bodied sound try using a large-diaphragm condenser mic. This is your archetypal ‘studio mic’ but because it is more sensitive you may find that it picks up more of the ambient sound of the room. To get a good recording you might also have to consider some acoustic treatment of your home recording studio too.

You will need to experiment with mic placement, and again the various volumes of the guitar, amp and gain control on the mic input.

5. Connect your guitar to an amp simulator, then from the amp simulator to the instrument input

6. Consider a Portable Digital Recorder

This is not so much a different method to record your electric guitar. However, you could use any of the above recording methods and combine with a portable digital recorder such as the Zoom H4N Pro, rather than an audio interface. The benefit of this is you do not have to have your computer or tablet switched on and connected to make the recordings. You record then transfer the recordings later into your recording software.  The Zoom has built-in high quality mic pre-amps, you can connect your guitar direct, you can record line in too. And it has built-in mics as an alternative to purchasing a separate microphone.

In any case, the Zoom also doubles up as an audio interface, so you can use it that way too.

How To Record Acoustic Guitar (4 Ways)

1: Record with a large-diaphragm condenser microphone and audio interface

What you’ll need:

• A good large-diaphragm condenser mic
• XLR lead (more information about audio cables)
• An audio interface with XLR mic input and phantom power
• A microphone stand

A large-diaphragm condenser mic is a great way to capture the depth of a guitar’s tone. You can position the mic in a number of ways. Each position accents certain aspects of the instrument’s sound. You will have to experiment quite a bit to figure out exactly where to put the mic to get the sound you want.

Start by placing the mic about 3 feet away from the instrument and point it directly at the sound hole. At this distance you will capture the rich sound from the sound hole, and the attack of the strings. However, you may find that you get some ‘booming’ and so subtly adjust the mic so it points slightly more toward the neck.

Also remember the room plays a role in the sound you end up recording. So once you have become familiar with your new recording equipment, consider whether you need to think about acoustic treatment.

2. Record direct from your acoustic guitar output into instrument input on audio interface

What you’ll need:

• audio interface with instrument input (… eg the BEHRINGER UMC22 audio interface)
• guitar lead (… learn more about audio cables)
• recording software (… read more on music making software)
• plus an acoustic guitar with 1/4″ output)

If your acoustic guitar is an ‘electro-acoustic’ and also has a 1/4″ output, then you can record direct from your guitar. Do this by connecting it to the instrument input on an audio interface.

The disadvantage is the signal you record will be quite ‘dry’ and probably won’t sound the same as the way you hear it when you play. Nor will you capture the sound of your fingers attacking the on the fingerboard.

However, the advantage is you don’t have to worry so much about the acoustic difficulties of your recording space.

3. A combination of 1 and 2 – record using a condenser microphone AND the 1/4″ output of your guitar

For this method you will need the same equipment as method 1 above:

• audio interface (must be at least 2-channel have instrument input AND XLR input, for example the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface)
• large-diaphragm condenser mic
• XLR lead
• mic stand
• electro-acoustic guitar with 1/4″ output
• 1/4-inch guitar lead to connect to the instrument input of the interface

You will require an interface that has BOTH an XLR mic input and instrument input. And it must be at least 2-channel, so you can record both signals at once. The beauty of this method is you capture a nice clean signal direct from your guitar, which you can combine with the tone coming direct from the sound hole, plus you will pick up the sound of the fingerboard.

4. (A good budget option) record your guitar with a USB microphone

What you’ll need:

• A good quality USB Condenser Microphone such as the Audio Technica ATR2500x
• A microphone stand
• Acoustic Guitar

If you are on a tight budget, then purchasing an audio interface, microphone, cables etc might be too much. In which case you could purchase a good quality USB microphone. The beauty of this is that you do not need any other equipment, it’s all built into the microphone.

So no need for an audio interface etc. The advantage of this is the price, and you should get a decent recording. The disadvantage is it is not quite so versatile. However, a USB mic is a useful bit of kit to own, even if you go on purchase an interface and XLR mic in future.

More Information on How to Record Your Guitar

There are a range of ways to do this. Depending on your budget, you could purchase a simple computer guitar cable. Or better, a dedicated guitar recording interface. Here are quick links to the different ways you can record your guitar:

1. USB Audio Interfaces for Recording Guitar
2. Using a Microphone to Record Your Guitar
3. Listening to your results
4. Our suggestions to buy now so you can easily record guitar

USB Audio Interfaces For Recording Guitar

Although the computer guitar cable is a simple and cheap solution, there are a whole range of dedicated devices which will offer massive improvements in quality. For the guitarist with a slightly bigger budget seeking a higher quality solution, there are a tremendous range of USB devices which have been specifically designed from the ground up to with your recording needs in mind. All of these eliminate the need to use your existing sound card for recording and provide a dedicated external solution with all the hardware and software you need to record your guitar. We are big fans of these dedicated devices, they are easy to use and install, have special inputs for guitar, usually come with a great software package and will massively improve the quality of your recordings.

If you need more information before reading on then we have a whole article that explains exactly what an audio interface is for complete beginners.

If you are right at the budget end, and just looking for a simple connection, then you can buy guitar-USB linking cables which will easily and cheaply enable you to connect your guitar (electric or electro-acoustic) directly to your computer. You’ll then be able to record, add effects etc and you will get much better results than just going straight to the generic line-in on your computer.

However, many guitarists also want to be able to record vocals, so prefer to look for a device which will successfully record both guitar and mic. Fortunately there are plenty of dedicated interfaces available especially designed for guitar and microphone to USB recording and there is something to suit every budget.

All the USB audio interfaces that have guitar and mic input can be used to record guitar alongside a dynamic vocal mic. (Look for devices which also have on-board phantom power if you want to use a condenser mic too or instead – see below). These all-in-one devices offer great value because you need very little additional equipment to get started – just the device, a guitar cable, a decent microphone and then a pair of headphones or powered speakers and you’re away. The idea is they are all the computer hardware a guitarist needs to record guitar and vocals and most come with software too.

If you want to build a small guitar recording studio around a studio condenser mic, you’ll need to spend a bit more and be sure to purchase a device with phantom power. The condenser mic will also cost more than a dynamic mic. For studio recording, if you can stretch your budget this far you will get a good result .

Don’t forget, these USB Audio interfaces bypass your built-in sound card to give a great result, but you will need to listen to them through headphones or powered speakers (monitors) , as the sound will no longer come out of your existing computer speakers. Newbies often plug them in, start recording, then contact us because they can’t hear anything!  The added benefit of buying one of these USB audio interfaces for recording your guitar and/or vocals is you can also set it up as your default audio output device (or sound card) so it gives your whole audio set-up on your computer a complete upgrade. Great for YouTube video and general music playback

Using a Microphone to Record Your Guitar

Another option is to use a microphone to record the output of your amp (in the case of electric guitarists), or your acoustic guitar. A dynamic microphone is usually the first choice if you want to record your amp. Although choice of mic does depend on the sound you want to get. For real ease, choose a USB mic then you don’t have to worry about any other equipment.

Our pick is the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+. The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone is also particularly good choice because you can use it either as a USB or a standard mic with XLR output, and you can monitor what you’re doing with the headphones it comes with.

Any of the devices we have already looked at that take a microphone as well will be just as good for this recording scenario. If you want to record your acoustic guitar then you should buy a condenser mic and an audio interface with phantom power. Or consider a USB condenser mic such as the ever popular and newly improved Samson C01U Pro Studio Condenser USB Microphone.

More information about recording using a microphone can be found in our sister article on connecting a microphone to your computer.

Listening to the results

With all the above guitar recording solutions you can monitor your results using headphones , but sooner or later it is likely you will want to play your masterpieces to your friends and family. Again, dedicated speakers will greatly enhance your music making experience, and there are speakers at a range of price points which will work well whichever route you opt for.

Guitar Recording Software

Once you have a satisfactory recording from your guitar, you can think about the best software for recording. This is when you can add backing tracks, plug-in effects etc. There is lots of fantastic music making software around, some of it free or very low cost. Take a look at our article where we look at some entry level recording software. Most come with huge libraries of loops and riffs to help you create complete performances behind your killer guitar tracks.

If your main aim is to improve your playing then we think that it’s really worth giving guitar tuition software a go. Especially as you can get a whole course for the price of a couple of lessons. So much easier than just working through books.

Our Suggestions To Buy Now So You Can Easily Record Guitar

Budget Guitar-USB cables – choose if you are on a very tight budget and want to start recording your guitar. Below are the current best-sellers in this category.

Last updated on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images via Amazon Product Advertising API

Further Reading

• Which Guitar Software? The Best Guitar Learning Software in 2020
• How To Record Your Acoustic Guitar and Vocals (At The Same Time)
• Guitar-USB Interfaces – How To Record Your Guitar On A Budget
• Guitar to MIDI connection | The Best Guitar MIDI Controllers in 2020