Recording direct means plugging the guitar into an audio interface and shaping the tone in software. It is quiet, repeatable and works at any hour, which makes it ideal for a home setup.
The signal chain
- Guitar into the Hi-Z instrument input on the interface. A normal line input loads the pickups and sounds dull.
- Record the clean, unprocessed signal to its own track.
- Send a copy through an amp simulator and cabinet impulse response for monitoring.
Keeping the dry signal is the trick. It lets you change amps later without replaying anything, which is called reamping.
Gain and latency
Set the input gain so the loudest peaks land somewhere around -12 dBFS. There is no bonus for hitting the top of the meter at 24-bit.
For latency, a smaller buffer helps playing feel, at the cost of CPU load:
| Buffer size | Latency per buffer at 48 kHz | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| 64 samples | about 1.3 ms | Tracking, if the machine copes |
| 128 samples | about 2.7 ms | Tracking, the usual compromise |
| 512 samples | about 10.7 ms | Mixing, where feel does not matter |
Increase the buffer size before you mix. Plugins that were fine while tracking often are not once the session grows.
A rule I like
Do not use a plugin you cannot explain in one sentence. It keeps the chain short, and short chains are easier to fix.