How to record yourself playing the guitar at home

Okay, first real blog post. Already getting self-conscious as you can see. So it's 2025 and you still haven't asked chatgpt how to record yourself or you still haven't found one of the billion videos on YouTube. Fear not! I'm here to help you with my own experience of failing and succeeding for almost 10 years of doing this.

There are two ways you can record yourself playing the guitar.

1. You can plug directly into an audio interface and use some kind of amp simulation.

2. You can use a real amp and put a microphone in front of it.

I'll cover both.

First version:

You'll need a guitar.

You'll need a cable. I hope you've been playing guitar long enough to know what kind of cable I'm talking about. (6.3mm or 1/4" jack, mono, instrument cable). You'll then need an audio interface. Most commonly used ones to buy (these are quite cheap and do a perfect job): - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (my favourite) - Universal Audio Volt (another amazing product) - many others, just Google it You'l need some kind of software to record in. Most preferably a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). For me, I've worked in Cubase for most of my life (ever since I was 15, which is getting further and further now...).

Free versions: - Cakewalk by BandLab (Windows Only) - Ableton Live Lite

Not so free versions: - Cubase - Pro Tools - Ableton - Logic - Reaper - many others, Google it and find one that works FOR YOU

You'll need some kind of amp simulation, otherwise it won't sound so good.

Free amp simulations:

• GuitarML Amped Roots Free

• Blue Cat's Free Amp

• ToneLib GFX

• STL Ignite Amps Emissary

Not so free simulations:

• Neural DSP

• Universal Audio amp sims

• Amplitube

• Guitar Rig 7

Second version:

Get an amp. Plug in. Use a Shure SM57 microphone and place it in front of the amp. Play... Profit. Jokes aside I'll do a deeper dive on this as I have had some time to face some issues and figure out the best way for me to solve them.

That's it! Now you have everything you might need. Or at least the basics. Please go to YouTube and check a video on your chosen DAW on how to record an instrument, and start playing, making music and having fun!

Or if you really like my writing, please hang around and check if I took the time yet to write a guide on exactly how to do it in Cubase. I should. Even if I can help one person on their journey, it will be worth all the time. Let me know if it's you! Cheers, Matyi