adding effects after recording?

[epilps]

I have read many threads that say to add effects after recording and after you have it on your computer with a recording software program. does this include distortion, or just other effects? In other words, should I record in clean and add distortion later, or record in distortion and not worry about it?

[Lateksi]

It can include distortion. I record guitars clean and add distortion later. But it may be little difficult to play riffs that are meant to be played with distortion with out it. Good soundcard would eliminate that, because you could heard the effected (and distorted) sound in real time.

[moaner]

I tend yto disagree.

For best results, record your ound exactly as you want it into the mic. then, you can use effects to improve the tone.

If you want to use computer FX because you don't have any normal ones, thats ok. Just don't expect CD quality. If you haven't got a very good amp, adding distortion later may be a good idea. Careful you don't use vocal FX for your guitar, like the ones built in on audacity.

[RushHourSoul]

I record guitar like that ^

I dunno why but putting distortion on after the recording seems a bit weird.

[epilps]

so, does audacity have effects on it? what kinds?

[jarviss]

i record guitar as is...distortion...included
but go easy on the verb..
add other "coloring" effects later...
but..if you have your sound down and want to record as is...tahst fine too
i think its weird to record clean and add distortion later too..

an alternative is to..
1. record your normal distorted sound..
2. record another track clean...tweak this one after with cpu effects..

and i disagree with the comment about "not getting cd quality"....there are soooo many good plugins..t.hat you can get really good sounds..i.f you ahve the time to tweak them

-G

[theabstract]

ok, i reckon that the best way to record is to get the best sound possible going to hard disk, and fix as little stuff in the mix as possible. Thats the way to go