There are two ways to record electric guitar at home. The quiet way: plug the guitar straight into an audio interface or a modeling pedal and let software or hardware imitate the amp. The classic way: put a microphone in front of a real amp. For most home players the direct route wins, because it works at any hour and needs less gear.
Either way, you need a computer with recording software (most interfaces come with a free version) and headphones or monitors to hear what you play.
Way 1: Record direct (quiet)
You need an audio interface with an instrument input, and either amp-modeling software or a modeling pedal.
Arturia MiniFuse 1 Black, $87
One combo input that takes a guitar directly, USB-C, and a headphone output. Pair it with free or paid amp plugins. #2 of 206 USB audio interfaces.
IK Multimedia AXE I/O, $305
An interface built for guitarists, with Hi-Z instrument inputs, an adjustable input impedance that changes how pickups respond, and a second input for a mic. #2 of 206 USB audio interfaces.
IK Multimedia ToneX One, $168
A tiny pedal with AI-captured models of real amps that you can record into an interface, or play live. One of the highest-ranked guitar preamps we track: #1 of 105 electric guitar preamps.
Line6 Pod Express Guitar, $167
A small amp-and-effects pedal that also works as a USB audio interface, so it's the whole recording rig in one box. #6 of 109 guitar multi effects.
Way 2: Mic an amp (classic)
You need an amp, a microphone, a mic stand and an interface with a mic input. It sounds great, but you need to play loud enough for the amp to sound right, which rules out late nights.
Shure SM57 LC, $124
The microphone on guitar amps in studios everywhere: point it at the speaker, close to the grille, and you're recording. #2 of 23 amp microphones in our ranking.
To hear what you record
Audio-Technica ATH-M40X, $120
Closed studio headphones with a flat sound, so what you hear is what you recorded. #4 of 105 studio headphones.
Questions
Can I record guitar without an amp?
Yes. Plug into an audio interface and use amp-simulation software, or use a modeling pedal like the ToneX One or Pod Express. That's how many records are made now.
What is the cheapest way to record electric guitar?
An interface like the Arturia MiniFuse 1 ($87) and free amp plugins, plus headphones you already own.
What microphone do I need to record a guitar amp?
A dynamic microphone like the Shure SM57 ($124), placed close to the speaker.
How we picked. Every product comes from an AudioFu ranking, scored on demand, price, specs and brand. Prices are Thomann's, converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate and updated every night, as are the ranks.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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