In the not-so-distant past, capturing professional-quality metal guitar tones meant handling loud tube amps. It also required using oversized cabinets and fragile microphones. Often, there were complaints from neighbours. Modern digital modellers like the Line 6 Helix and the Kemper Profiler have changed that. High-end plugins from Neural DSP or STL Tones also contribute to this shift. Today, it’s entirely possible to record crushing, studio-ready metal guitar tracks from a modest home setup without sacrificing quality.
You could be recording melodic death metal rhythms, atmospheric blackened leads, or tight modern metal chugs. This guide walks through the entire process of crafting your guitar sound at a professional level. It covers everything from tone design to recording strategy, all without touching a single microphone.
The Setup: Gear and Signal Flow
Amp modellers like the Helix and Kemper are key to the home recording revolution. Plugin suites like Neural DSP’s Archetypes also play a significant role. These tools simulate amps, cabs, and pedals. They even simulate studio mic placements. This lets you go straight from your guitar to your DAW.
- Helix doubles as an audio interface, offering a full pedalboard-to-amp-to-cab chain in one.
- Kemper captures the tone of real amps via profiling. This allows you to record with any amp sound you can dream of.
- (These are the amps I have, so I’m focusing on those two…)
- Plugins like Neural DSP’s Fortin Suite or Archetype: Gojira let you build amp chains directly in your DAW.
The basic signal chain looks like this:
Guitar → Modeler/Interface or Audio Interface + Plugin → DAW
Always monitor your input levels—peaking between -10 dB and -6 dB is ideal. Avoid clipping at all costs. Use studio monitors or good headphones for accurate tone judgment.
The Foundation of Tone: Amp and Cab Choices
The amp model or profile forms the backbone of your tone. For metal, the usual suspects apply: 5150/6505, Mesa Dual Rectifier, ENGL, and Diezel. These are popular for a reason. They offer saturated distortion and focused mids. They also give the low-end punch that makes rhythm guitars slam.
But it’s the cabinet that truly defines the final tone. You’ll repeatedly hear this from pros. The speaker cab and mic model/IR account for 80% or more of your guitar tone. Use quality IRs of 4×12 cabinets loaded with Celestion V30s, often mic’d with an SM57 or MD421 equivalent.
If your modeler supports it, experiment with dual-cab setups (e.g., Helix dual cab block with different mic positions). Plugins like Neural DSP often include curated IRs designed to slot straight into a mix.
Boost and Gate: The Metal Guitarist’s Secret Weapons
Almost every modern metal rhythm tone includes a virtual overdrive pedal before the amp: usually a Tube Screamer-type boost. Set the drive low or off, level high, and tone around 6. This tightens the low end and adds clarity to palm mutes without adding unwanted gain.
A noise gate is essential too. Place it right at the start of the chain. Adjust threshold so it mutes unwanted hiss when you’re not playing but doesn’t choke sustained notes. If you’re using Helix or Neural plugins, try the Horizon Drive or Fortin Zuul gate emulations for high-performance results.
Rhythm Guitar Recording: Punch, Precision, and Power
Rhythm guitars need to sound massive, tight, and wide. Here’s how to achieve that:
Double-Tracking (Mandatory)
Record the same riff twice and pan one take hard left, the other hard right. This simple move transforms a mono tone into a wall of sound. The key is tight playing: each take should be nearly similar in timing and dynamics.
Quad-Tracking (Optional)
If you want an even thicker sound, record four takes (two per side). Use a slightly different tone on the second pair (e.g., different IR, different guitar volume) to prevent phasing.
Pro Tip: Never copy-paste one take to both channels. It only increases volume, not width.
EQ at the Source
Avoid excessive bass on the amp. Set bass around 4/10, mids around 6–7, and treble/presence to taste. Add a low-cut around 80 Hz and a gentle high-cut at 10–12 kHz to reduce rumble and fizz.
Lead Guitar Recording: Clarity, Character, and Width
Lead tones should cut through the mix and often gain from subtle effects.
- Delay: A short delay (100–300 ms) with a low mix level adds space.
- Reverb: Keep it subtle. Plate or room reverbs work well.
- Mid Boost: Leads gain from more mids (700 Hz to 1.5 kHz) to stand above rhythm guitars.
- Stereo Imaging: If you’re layering harmonized leads, pan them moderately apart (e.g., 30% L/R) or use stereo effects to create separation.
Effects During Recording: What to Print, What to Skip
Always print:
- Noise gate
- Boost/OD pedal
Optional:
- Delay or reverb on leads (if essential to performance)
Avoid printing:
- Compression (unless it’s part of a pedal effect)
- Time-based effects on rhythm guitars
- Modulation (unless used creatively for ambience)
Recording dry ensures flexibility during mixing. If in doubt, monitor with effects but record a dry signal.
DI and Reamping: Safety and Flexibility
Whenever possible, record a clean DI signal along with your processed tone. Both Helix and Kemper allow you to do this. If you’re using plugins, split your input in your DAW to record the raw signal.
This lets you:
- Reamp later with a different tone
- Add effects or correct tonal issues post-performance
- Keep futureproofing in case you get new gear or plugins
Performance and Precision
Metal demands precision. Sloppy playing ruins even the best tones. Here are key tips:
- Use fresh strings
- Tune before every take (seriously)
- Practice to a click track before recording
- Don’t hesitate to punch in corrections
Take breaks often to avoid fatigue and keep your tone and timing sharp.
Final Tips for a Pro Sound
- High-pass rhythm guitars around 80 Hz to avoid muddiness.
- Low-pass around 10–12 kHz to tame fizz.
- EQ cuts around 300–500 Hz if you hear mud or boxiness.
- Double-check monitoring: use headphones and studio monitors to catch tonal flaws.
- Save your presets and make notes about guitar settings so you can re-track later.
Conclusion
Recording metal guitars at home is no longer a compromise: it’s a creative advantage. With the right tools and techniques, you can produce tones that rival professional studios. Whether you’re a melodic death metal veteran, you might be exploring blackened atmospheres. Alternatively, you could be diving into technical death grooves. In any case, focus on thoughtful tone shaping. Guarantee a clean capture and deliver a confident performance.
Trust your ears. Play tight. And let your riffs speak for themselves.
Jarmo Puolakanaho 