Tracking Guitars

[rock-fied]

Alright i'm new to the world of recording.. Currently recording guitars using a M-Audio Firewire Solo via Audacity.. using a free guitar VST ( LePou plugins) and guitarhack impulses.. So i've played around a bit (i dont really have much time) and the sound (distortion) that I have would at best be 'decent'.. So now i'm deciding if i should just invest in a mic and mic up my guitar amp and track with it. I'm just using an entry level practice amp w an Orville les paul and some pedals. Or should I invest in better quality plugins.. Any suggestions? Any other advice with regards to tracking guitars would be more than welcome and much appreciated. Cheers!

P.S. i believe mic'ing up my amp would produce better sounding distortion definitely but then I would be pretty much limited to the varied array of sounds i can get by tweaking with my settings here and there. Then again with a good guitar software program (amplitube, guitar rig).. i get a multitude of effects/cabs/amp sims..

I'm also pretty much limited by a v small budget ( < 100-150 )

 

[blueprintstudios]

can't go wrong with recording using Shure SM57

the rest is all mixing after that.

 

[ankursamtaney]

I think you should look at the Behringer V-amp 3, or some Line 6 gear. Many of them come with some pretty neat modelling sounds, to emulate cabs, amps, and stomps. Those can link up to your computer through your interface, and get you nice 'stereo' FX for your guitar.

I'd keep miking your amp as a second option (although worth trying; maybe borrow an SM57 from someone and try it first!), given that it's a simple practice amp, and you'll have very limited range of tones to play around with. Besides, to get the best sound, you'll really need to crank the amp and wake up your neighbours or annoy the hell out of your landlord / flatmates / family. Furthermore, this would be a great way to go if you have a great amp, or some sweet-sounding tube amp, but if we're talking a mediocre amp, I'd recommend going with one of the aforementioned multi-FX pieces. The advantage of those, over say, amplitube or guitar rig, is that you can take them with you wherever you go, and plug them into any amp / PA and dial whatever tones you want with or without your computer.

Happy recording!

EDIT: I always check out reviews on MF before even considering purchasing any gear. Here are the reviews on the Behringer V-amp3. Seems awesome, and should be under SGD200. Or try getting the V-amp2. Line6's pods are good, but might be more expensive.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...p-2-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor?sku=480674
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-VAmp-3-Guitar-Multi-Effect-Processor?sku=583046
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Line-6-POD-2.0-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor?sku=150448