Recording distorted sounds with your Pc

[Dominik Gräber]

So I've tried multiple Times recording my playing by directly plugging my amp into my PC. I tried with the Boss Katana Mini, the 100 mk 2 and a Fender Mustang 1 V2. The last two mentioned we're directly connected via USB. I record with audacity.
While this works Well with Clean Tones, as soon I am using a distorted Channel my recordings Sound WAY fuzzier than what I hear in Person from the amps. That's to a Point I rather use my phone than even bother to record the Sound seperately.

Now I Wonder, is that my amps fault? Or my ears or is this Just Not the way you should record?

 

[Filip Tomiša]

It's not the amps fault it's just the matter of the output of your sound. In your case it's only a USB cable and that's probably why it sounds like that. Usually you either record with a mic + amp or with an audio interface + amp simulator. That way you'll get way better sound quality but I understand that if you don't have either you gotta to use what you have. You can try adjusting the settings on your amp so that it doesn't sound that fuzzy when you record it or you can try to record only a clean signal and then use a guitar VST and add effects to it.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

It's not the amps fault it's just the matter of the output of your sound. In your case it's only a USB cable and that's probably why it sounds like that. Usually you either record with a mic + amp or with an audio interface + amp simulator. That way you'll get way better sound quality but I understand that if you don't have either you gotta to use what you have. You can try adjusting the settings on your amp so that it doesn't sound that fuzzy when you record it or you can try to record only a clean signal and then use a guitar VST and add effects to it.

Damn, I was afraid you would say that. Yes I don't have a mic / interface and I can't adjust the settings so much that it doesn't sound fuzzy but still decent.

 

[idssdi]

If you want to record a classic amplifier you are need a mic just like Filip said. The other option is getting an interface and a decent amp emulator in a daw. I spent some time figuring this out too. For example the Axe-fx, line-6 helix and Kemper can be used for this too because they are effectively very good amp simulators

 

[Dominik Gräber]

If you want to record a classic amplifier you are need a mic just like Filip said. The other option is getting an interface and a decent amp emulator in a daw. I spent some time figuring this out too. For example the Axe-fx, line-6 helix and Kemper can be used for this too because they are effectively very good amp simulators

Problem is that there is no real point in spending equipment for recording right now. I don't write songs, I don't really do professional covers so I like to spend my money on gear I use permanently like my guitar and amp.

 

[Filip Tomiša]

Problem is that there is no real point in spending equipment for recording right now. I don't write songs, I don't really do professional covers so I like to spend my money on gear I use permanently like my guitar and amp.

Then use your phone. I mean it DOES have a microphone but it's not really used for professional recording but it can capture the "true" sound of your amp & it will capture the "room" sound so that's a plus .

 

[Sayonil Mitra]

I had the same problem. I just got an audio interface. I don't know what is going wrong there but i read somewhere that USB cables don't handle distorted sounds from the guitar properly. So if you can, get a dedicated audio interface and avoid all usb connections in the rig

 

[Calvin Phillips]

I highly doubt it's the cable. I recorded through USB for YEARS. Still do. You could buy a cheap interface and work that way instead it probably will fix whatever issue that is. It could be that your computer isnt fast. My new PC is slow as fuck and I'm limited to what's open when I play.

I also noticed when I play sound over.recprding through the new PC the sound dies out. Its possible that your PC is like mine and cant handle play back while recording.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Then use your phone. I mean it DOES have a microphone but it's not really used for professional recording but it can capture the "true" sound of your amp & it will capture the "room" sound so that's a plus .

Thats what I did to Date

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I had the same problem. I just got an audio interface. I don't know what is going wrong there but i read somewhere that USB cables don't handle distorted sounds from the guitar properly. So if you can, get a dedicated audio interface and avoid all usb connections in the rig

But don't I need a Microphone as Well?
Don't know much about Interfaces..

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I highly doubt it's the cable. I recorded through USB for YEARS. Still do. You could buy a cheap interface and work that way instead it probably will fix whatever issue that is. It could be that your computer isnt fast. My new PC is slow as fuck and I'm limited to what's open when I play.

I also noticed when I play sound over.recprding through the new PC the sound dies out. Its possible that your PC is like mine and cant handle play back while recording.

Well my PC definetly isn't that slow, it's a good gaming PC. And I Had the problem with two totally different amps with USB Option.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

Inhad a good gaming PC too. And had the same problem. It just didnt happen everytime. With this new PC is happens everytime. That leads me to believe that even good sound cards cant always handle the stress we put them under. This PC is only dual and it barely does the job. I had a quad before and it wasn't always 100%.

 

[Lindsey]

Have you tried GuitarRig yet? It's a free program. I use an interface now but I once got a good sound with just an audio cable.

 

[Ed Seith]

The other possibility is that your USB output doesn't emulate a cabinet. Cab emulation is a HUGE part of a dirty tone, and without it, the tone can definitely sound how you describe. There are a number of free options out there so you can experiment and see if that's the problem. Start with this to see if it fixes the problem:

IK Multimedia - AmpliTube Custom Shop

AmpliTube 4 is a guitar and bass tone studio for Mac/PC that works as a standalone application and as a plug-in for your favorite DAW

www.ikmultimedia.com

 

[Sayonil Mitra]

But don't I need a Microphone as Well?
Don't know much about Interfaces..

You can get microphones with 1/4" inch jack

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Have you tried GuitarRig yet? It's a free program. I use an interface now but I once got a good sound with just an audio cable.

Again, I don't really know anything about interfaces. Would this digital interface replace my amp then? Because that's not the direction I want to go really

 

[Filip Tomiša]

Again, I don't really know anything about interfaces. Would this digital interface replace my amp then? Because that's not the direction I want to go really

When you get an interface you can either get a mic and plug it in your interface and record your amp or you can plug your guitar directly into the interface and then use a VST guitar simulator such as bias fx or guitar rig to get the effects

 

[Dominik Gräber]

The other possibility is that your USB output doesn't emulate a cabinet. Cab emulation is a HUGE part of a dirty tone, and without it, the tone can definitely sound how you describe. There are a number of free options out there so you can experiment and see if that's the problem. Start with this to see if it fixes the problem:

IK Multimedia - AmpliTube Custom Shop

AmpliTube 4 is a guitar and bass tone studio for Mac/PC that works as a standalone application and as a plug-in for your favorite DAW

www.ikmultimedia.com

That would also replace my amp, would it? Not sure if I understand how it works. Would it be like a digital amp or can I combine it with my usb signal to emulate a cab?

 

[Dominik Gräber]

When you get an interface you can either get a mic and plug it in your interface and record your amp or you can plug your guitar directly into the interface and then use a VST guitar simulator such as bias fx or guitar rig to get the effects

Oh, okay, I missunderstood Lindseys answer

 

[Dominik Gräber]

You can get microphones with 1/4" inch jack

Point is that I am not willing to spend the money on interface and microphone right now. I just bought the Boss Katana 100 amp.