How To Record Electric Guitar With the N22

Audio Samples and Techniques Using the AEA N22

The N22 is ideally equipped to capture the sound of your electric guitar. With its near-field design, balanced low-end, and extended top-end, the N22 excels at capturing the true essence of your instrument while limiting room reflections. A bump in response at 3kHz delivers enough bite to make the N22 the only mic necessary to record electric guitar, eliminating the need to blend additional mics for top-end balance.

The near-field N22 delivers balanced sound 2 to 16 inches from the source with the help of internal mechanics which roll off the low-end of a signal before it hits the ribbon. This feature allows for better performance in close-up recording applications than one would achieve with more conventional ribbon mics due to their large amount of proximity effect.

Ribbon Mics
Close Miking
When recording an electric guitar amp, try positioning the N22 between 1 and 12 inches in front of the speaker’s center. Within that range, moving the N22 closer to the amp will increase the bass response while pulling it away or changing the angle will lessen that effect.
Listen to the N22 on electric guitar playing blues
Listen to the N22 on electric guitar playing jazz
Listen to the N22 solo with feedback

Listen to more audio examples of the N22 on electric guitar

Using Live

The N22 performs exceptionally for miking live guitar amps on the road. Bands as diverse as The Alabama Shakes, Alicia Keys, War on Drugs, The Districts, and Local Natives use the N22 as their main mic to amplify the true sound of their guitars whether in small clubs, music festivals, or stadiums.

In the same way that you would use an N22 in the studio, position it within 12 inches of the speaker to avoid bleed from other instruments.

Learn How The N22 Can Improve Your Recordings

How-To
How To Record Electric Bass With the N22
How-To
How To Record Vocals With the N22
How-To
How To Record Acoustic Guitar With the N22