The Top 3 Methods For Recording Electric Guitar In Logic Pro

When it comes to recording electric guitars, there's one crucial question you need to ask yourself: "Where is my tone coming from?" This is the foundation of capturing great guitar recordings. If you’ve ever tried plugging your guitar straight into your audio interface and felt disappointed with the sound, it’s because the tone isn’t being shaped properly. You need an amp simulator or external gear to create that iconic electric guitar sound.

In this guide, we’ll explore three recording methods to help you achieve the perfect tone. Whether you’re working completely in the box, blending external pedals with Logic, or using fully external gear, this step-by-step breakdown will have you recording electric guitars like a pro.

Method 1: Recording Completely Within Logic

If you're working fully in the box, all you need is:

• Your electric guitar

• A quarter-inch instrument cable

• An audio interface connected to your computer

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Connect Your Gear

   • Plug your guitar into a DI (instrument) input on your audio interface.

   • Connect your interface to your computer and power it on.

2. Set Up Your Logic Pro Session

   • Open Logic Pro and create a new project.

   • Select an audio track, choose Guitar or Bass, and hit Create.

3. Configure Your Audio Preferences

   • Go to Logic Pro > Settings > Audio.

   • Select your audio interface as both the Input and Output Device.

   • Set the I/O buffer size between 32–256 for minimal latency.

4. Set Your Input Channel

   • Press I to open the channel information panel.

   • Select the input where your guitar is connected.

   • Enable Record Arm and Input Monitoring.

5. Adjust Input Levels

   • Turn off all plugins and set your fader to zero.

   • Play your guitar and adjust the gain on your interface to keep levels between -6 dB and -12 dB.

   • This ensures the amp sim responds correctly to your playing dynamics.

6. Choose Your Tone

   • Press Y to open the Library panel and navigate to Electric Guitar and Bass.

   • Explore presets for clean, distorted, or crunchy tones.

Once you’ve set everything up, hit record! The beauty of this method is flexibility—since the tone is processed in Logic, you can tweak amp and pedal settings even after recording.

Method 2: Hybrid Recording (Pedals + Logic)

Want to add real-world pedals to your signal chain? This method combines the best of both worlds: analog effects from pedals and amp sims within Logic.

What You’ll Need:

• Electric guitar

• Two quarter-inch cables

• A pedal (or multiple pedals, your full pedalboard)

• An audio interface

Missing Something? Get what you need HERE.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Set Up Your Pedals

   • Connect your guitar to the input of your pedal.

   • Power the pedal, and use a second cable to connect the pedal output to your audio interface.

2. Create a New Track in Logic

   • Add a new Guitar or Bass audio track.

   • Select the same DI input on your interface.

3. Manage Effects

   • Disable any duplicate effects in Logic’s pedalboard that match the real pedal you’re using.

   • For example, if your pedal is a compressor, turn off Logic’s built-in compressor pedal to avoid doubling the effect (unless you want that sound of course)

4. Adjust Levels

   • Play your guitar and check input levels in Logic.

   • Increase the output of your pedal or the gain on your interface until levels are back in the -6 dB to -12 dB range.

5. Record and Experiment

   • Keep in mind that any sound created with external pedals is printed onto your recording.

   • Be intentional with your settings, as they can’t be changed later.

This method is great for blending the character of real pedals with the flexibility of Logic’s amp sims.

Method 3: Fully External Recording (Pedals + Amp or Modeling Gear)

For guitarists who prefer working entirely with external gear, this method involves recording the tone from your pedals and amp (or a modeling device like a Helix or Fractal) directly into Logic.

What You’ll Need:

• Electric guitar

• Amp or modeling unit (e.g., Line 6 Helix)

• Microphone (if using an amp)

• XLR or quarter-inch cables

Missing Something? Get what you need HERE.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Connect Your External Gear

   • If using an amp, connect a microphone to your interface and place it in front of the speaker.

   • If using a modeling device, connect its output (e.g., XLR or quarter-inch) to your audio interface.

2. Set Up Your Logic Track

   • Create a Mic or Line Input audio track.

   • Select mono or stereo input, depending on your setup.

3. Adjust External Gear Settings

   • Set the gain on your amp or device to prevent clipping in Logic. Aim for levels around -12 dB.

   • Dial in your tone carefully—what you hear is what you’ll record.

4. Record Your Performance

   • Since the sound is fully processed externally, no additional effects are needed in Logic.

   • Double-check that you’re happy with the tone before hitting record, as it’s committed to the track.

This method is ideal for players who love the tactile experience of real amps and pedals or those using high-end modeling gear.

Final Thoughts

Recording electric guitar in Logic Pro offers incredible flexibility, whether you’re working entirely in the box, blending pedals with amp sims, or committing to a fully external setup. Each method has its pros and cons, so experiment and find what works best for your music.

If you found this guide helpful and would like to learn more about music production, recording, or Logic Pro in dedicated, private classes. Check out my coaching service. Want to see this topic covered in a video? Click HERE.

Happy recording!