Hey, I shouldn't have told you about my up-coming my guitar legend friends.  Now I am inundated with: "how do you.....?" questions on guitar playing, guitar techniques.  I don't mind, you know me...I just love helping guys.  And by the way, spell was never my best subject!  Of course it's not Geoff Beck it's Jeff Beck.

Thank you, all those who corrected me...shows you were reading.

But I have to keep repeating: the real killer information is reserved for the Members of my 'Serious Writers Guild' at www.makehits.co.uk/swgintro.htm I purposely am careful about the info. I give in the 'One Minute' deals because it's FREE!  Can you blame me?  The Members pay good money and would kill me if I told all the 'One Minute' guys how to "Make a $Million From Your Music"

As with everything to do with the music game, guitar playing and money making guitar techniques have to be studied and learned.  There is no easy way.  And it's not a lot to do with the price you play for that incredible guitar you bought last week.  Or that effects board.  Just like that great synth., an expensive guitar will not give you a Hit record.  And, for that matter, great guitar playing and great solos do not make Hit Records...sorry!  We won't even start talking about the classic, ancient 1964 Gibson acoustic guitar you bought from this great player....in reality, it will sound like sh*t...but that's a whole different subject.

Great arrangements and great playing only 'frame' a good song and assist the singing performance to make the Hit Record.  A logic which only guys who actually make lots of Dosh out of music understand naturally.  Amateur bands will spend weeks months, years getting all the music of a band together and totally forget that it is the singer - singing the song [which must be a potential hit song] plus the great vocal arrangement, that is the top and bottom of Hit Making.

So.....

Guitar playing:

Guitar playing has got to 'add' to the excitement and jump of a record whether that is rock, R&B or straight POP....ooooops....Sandy has just put on a beautiful Spanish Ramirez guitar piece as I write this on a balmy evening on the terrace, 38 degrees....barbecue sizzling and the crickets chirping ....one of the benefits of a successful music life is that you can chose what you do and where you are....and a laptop helps, but keep it out of the sun!

I only say these things to spur you on to success in this wonderful Business...come on...it's easy!  It's only knowledge, persistence, dedication and grit.  Most of all knowledge.

The secret of great guitars is to make sure they add, if they take away from the excitement or sound amateur in any respect, then they will; detract.  Although there have been a few 'ropy' solos on the charts this year in the UK.  Mainly from a crop of young new guitar based bands...but then they 'sounded right' for the toon.

Typical questions asked me would be:

"Dec......

They're to do with recording guitar distortion (using a mike) into a 4 track. The queries are as follows:

1) Where is the best position to set the mike for best results in recording?

2) What is the ideal volume for recording at? (depending on the part I know, just a plain rhythm let's say)

3) Could you recommend a good quality recording mike for my purpose? (reasonably priced , no more than £100 if possible)

Thanks Dec. Could you reply moderately quickly I am in a little bit of a rush to get a 6 track demo recorded (on a 4 track). I have done 2 songs already using a goodish (£30) vocal mike. But it was hard getting the mike a good place to record.

Thanks again Dec

Regards Micheal, Ireland."

My Reply:

Hi Michael

I feel you are asking the impossible! That is, if you are hoping to make a full demo/recording for release using a four track machine.

To record distort guitar 'properly' you need a Marshall JMP1 module which is plugged directly into two tracks of the machine. This is what most studios use and is excellent. Call Marshall at Denbigh Road, Milton Keynes, UK for a brochure.  Hey, if you ask for Jim, tell him you know Dec you may even get to speak to the great man...he's a good pal of mine, and he is very approachable...loves the Business just like me.

1) Where is the best position to set the mike for best results in recording?

With an amp I would use three mics. One, three inches from the outside rim of the best sounding speaker, two inches in front. Another at the rear of the cabinet as close as possible and another as high up in the corner of the studio facing into the corner away from the amp. This is probably the best combination and a technique used by the biggest rock bands to get that HUGE sound. Of course, a Marshall stack is essential.  Borrow one for the session, it's worth it.

2) What is the ideal volume for recording at?(depending on the part I know, just a plain rhythm let's say)

Generally speaking as loud as possible to cover any inherent amp. noise.  Typically flat out.  Trail the guitar cord into the control room of the studio or use earphones in a different room...it's much too dangerous. for your ears. to be in the same room...don't even think about it.  Again, we would not use an amp for recording a rhythm pattern.  There are very few toons that can call for an electric rhythm part.  It will mostly sound odd, as all the great tracks use acoustic guitars to play those parts.  However you may have a track that will require electric.  A single mike in the position above would work as you don't require much 'size' to the sound.  Generally an elec. rhythm would be a broken pattern so you may add chorus, flanging or other 'pod' type effects.  Just be careful of the noise generated, the signal to noise ratio, and always remember that studio effects units are generally far superior to the usual kind of guitar pedals, so don't be afraid to ask the engineer to use the studio stuff.

3) Could you recommend a good quality recording mike for my purpose? (reasonably priced , no more than £100 if possible)

The microphone will not make a bit of difference in this situation but most studios will use a Shure SM57 or SM 58 for this purpose. Hard wearing, full frequency and Industry Standard.  They are perfect for handling the high SPL [Sound Pressure Level].  The third mike, the high up in the corner one, should really be a good quality condenser mike.

All these techniques are well covered in my 'Serious Writers Guild' course "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" at www.makehits.co.uk/swgapp.htm .  Now, that would be money much better spent, rather than worrying about microphone placement.

At the end of the day, it is best to invest in a good quality guitar preamp module with a high quality effects unit in a rack that you can use on stage and in the studio.  That way you don't ever have to worry about replicating 'your guitar sound' in the studio...you already have it.  And it will travel with you anywhere in the world on tour.  You can use a Marshall Valvestate amp module in the rack as well...that way you have powerful amplification of that great sound.....use whatever speaker you want on stage for you to hear and let your true stereo sound go to front of house mix....but I won't give you the killer stage techniques...whooops....gotta look after my Members.

"Never explain - your friends do not need it

 Regards