Question by : Should I use an interface directly into my amp or should I mic my amp to record guitar at home?
Im trying to get into recording my band at my house but im not sure which is better, to mic my amp to record or send it through an interface. Im using Ableton by the way.

Best answer:

Answer by jimmy j
In that situation, most studios would use a direct box to record both a clean guitar track and a mic’ed amp signal. If the results are unsatisfactory with the mic’ing, the clean track can be sent back into the amp (or a different amp, different mic) later via a re-amp box. However a good direct/reamp box set can cost several hundred dollars.

I would mic the amp only if:

1) The amp/cab/mic can be left in the same exact spot until recording is completed – bumping the mic even half an inch halfway through tracking changes the tone and you gotta redo everything for consistent sound.

2) You’re recording a 4×12 cab and prefferably a tube head. That is the sound we’ve come to expect as natural.

3) You are familiar with, or have read up on, amp mic’ing techniques. Here’s a good two-mic technique: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/production-tips/719696-your-face-massive-guitar-tone-cab-micing-tip.html

If you want consistent sound from track to track, ability to tweak later, less money and less hassle, then you can just go direct through an interface into a good amp sim like the free ones at http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com/ — amp sim tech has come a long way and this is one of the best.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!