2.2. Splitting

-If you record in a professional studio, ask the engineer to setup at least two guitar amp with different sound character (for instance Randall RG100 distortion channel with Behringer GMX210 set at californian drive) feed by your guitar via an active splitter, then miking them and print to individual track for mixing session later.

Why avoid bounce the entire track and prefer to print it individually? Because you can change the mix level individually later during mixing stages, phase reverse each other (you might need it if hear phase cancellation) or apply individual effects and mess around with it. With hard-disk digital recording era, record lots of tracks raise no problem.

Talking about signal splitting, why don’t uses Y-cord to split guitar signal then send them to each amp inputs? Good question. Here's the explanation:

When a signal spited to feed different amp (or console) inputs, the input of each amp provides additional path for electric current, makes the amp will interact each other. Other nasty thing is so-called Ground Loop will occurred by parallel splitting makes 50 Hz AC hum (or 60 Hz those with different AC system standard) radiating via ground line connected each other. Passive splitting (Y-cord method) also adds capacitance and increases susceptibility to RF interference.

Active splitter, in the other hand, buffers the guitar pick-up signal to more consistent frequency response, improve signal-to-noise ratio, featuring ground-lift switch to break AC hum cycle and helps eliminate amp interaction loading due to signal splitting since the output are buffered by amplified electric circuit. Electronic drive to each transformer can be designed to be extremely low impedance in nature which further improves noise rejection and response, especially bass frequencies.

Other alternative is transformer splitter, the microphone is wired straight through to a "Direct Out" and also to the input of a splitting transformer which has a 1:1 turns ratio and its output side is connected to the second or "Isolated" split output. The transformer will pass the microphone's AC audio signal but will block DC voltage in either direction. This helps prevent interaction between the consoles/amps. A disadvantage of this type of split is the added expense of the transformers. High quality transformers are essential for providing proper shielding and for preserving the frequency response of the mic signal.

Plain English, using active/transformer splitter will not degrade your sound quality even your guitar line spited out by two, three or six (depend on splitter specs) loading to different amps.

Bounce all signal from each amp (preferably during mixing, not tracking stage) and pan it hard left and right (75% or more) to create bigger sound as if two guitarists are playing together. What's pan? bounce? hard left-hard right? Point your question to the creature behind the mixing desk. Spank again if he (again, preferably she) doesn't know.

2.3. DI-Boxing

-Same as bass recording techniques featured in BugJet other article, DI-Box is your friend. By print individual track of DI-Box out, one close-mic, one distant-mic, and then mix those to create jaw-dropping distortion guaranteed to kick major ass.

To recall our memories, "Direct Injection" as their main purpose is to convert unbalanced and/or high impedance instrument signals into a format suitable for direct connection to a mixing console's mic input - without the use of a microphone. A DI serves several basic functions:

-It converts a high impedance signal to a low impedance signal (although it will also accept a low impedance signal from a preamp, keyboard, and active pickup or other electronic device).
-It converts an unbalanced signal to balance.
-It reduces a strong instrument or line level signal (and sometimes even speaker level signal) to a mic level signal suitable for connection to the mic input of a mixing console.
-It isolates electronic equipment on stage from the mixing console, which can help eliminate interference and noise caused by electrical interaction or ground loops.

With DI-Box your tone will add definition since DI-Box will capture every tiny details of the sound coming out of your guitar. Some of DI-Box also serves as splitter so you can combine splitting technique above with the DI-miking technique pictured below: