Tremolo Wizard
Illustration generated by AI.

How to Record Your Tremolo for the Wizard

You do not need any special or expensive recording equipment. This comprehensive guide offers multiple methods for recording your guitar tremolo.

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📱 Recording with a Phone

Most smartphones have built-in microphones that can capture your tremolo with adequate clarity.

🍏 iPhone (Voice Memos App)

  1. Open the built-in Voice Memos app on your iPhone.
  2. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  3. Tap the red Record button at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Play your guitar tremolo for about 30 seconds.
  5. Tap the Stop button (red square) when finished.
  6. Tap your recording to rename it (e.g., "Tremolo 3rd and 2nd strings 80 BPM") for easy identification.
  7. Use the Share button to send the recording to your computer or export it. Since you will be recording and analyzing dozens of tremolo samples as you master the tremolo, set up an easy-to-find folder on your computer in which you will save all your recorded tremolo audio files.
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For better sound quality, place the phone 1-2 feet from the guitar. Avoid recording in rooms with a lot of echo or background noise. Record at normal or louder playing volume.

🤖 Android (Voice Recorder App)

  1. Open the Voice Recorder app (usually pre-installed on Android phones).
  2. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  3. Tap the Record button to begin recording.
  4. Play your guitar tremolo for about 30 seconds.
  5. Tap the Stop button to finish recording.
  6. Rename your recording for easy identification.
  7. Share the recording to your computer via email, cloud storage, or direct transfer. Since you will be recording and analyzing dozens of tremolo samples as you master the tremolo, set up an easy-to-find folder on your computer in which you will save all your recorded tremolo audio files.
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Can't find the Voice Recorder app? Try using Google Assistant and say "Record audio," or install the Easy Voice Recorder app from the Google Play Store.
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💻 Recording with a Laptop

Most laptops have built-in microphones that can be used for recording your tremolo practice. However, if you are not getting good results, plug a good-quality USB mic into your laptop instead.

🪟 Windows 11 (Sound Recorder)

  1. Use your laptop's built-in microphone or, if you aren't getting good results, plug in a USB mic for better sound quality.
  2. Click the Start Menu and search for 'Sound Recorder' or 'Voice Recorder'.
  3. Open the Sound Recorder app.
  4. If you are using a mic other than the default internal laptop mic, in the lower left corner you will see a mic icon🎙️. Click the dropdown to select the mic you want to use.
  5. Click the three dots in the upper right corner. Click "Settings." Under "Recording," click "Audio quality." Select "Best (highest quality, larger file size)." Finally, in the upper left corner, click the arrow to go back.
  6. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  7. Click the red Record button and play your guitar tremolo for about 30 seconds.
  8. Click Stop to finish recording.
  9. Your recording will automatically be saved in the Documents > Sound recordings folder.

WINDOWS TIPS:

- If using the built-in laptop microphone, position your laptop about 2-3 feet from your guitar.
- Close any unnecessary applications to prevent system sounds from interrupting your recording.

If you make a recording and there is no sound when you play it back, Windows may be cancelling the guitar as "background noise." Here is how to fix it:

  1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
  2. Select "Sounds" or "Sound settings" and then scroll down and click "More sound settings."
  3. In the new window, go to the "Recording" tab.
  4. Select the microphone that's being used (it should show activity when you play the guitar).
  5. Click "Properties."
  6. Go to the "Enhancements" tab (on some systems, it's called "Advanced" or "Levels").
  7. Uncheck options like:
    • Noise Suppression
    • Echo Cancellation
    • Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
  8. Apply changes and close the window.
⚠️ If there is no "Enhancements" tab, click the "Advanced" tab and UNCHECK "Enable audio enhancements."

Apply/save changes and close the window.

🍎 Mac (QuickTime Player)

  1. Use the Mac's built-in mic or, if you are not getting good results, plug in a USB microphone for better sound quality.
  2. Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder.
  3. Go to File > New Audio Recording.
  4. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  5. Click the red Record button and play your guitar tremolo.
  6. Click Stop when done and save the file.
  7. Go to File > Export As and choose Audio Only.
  8. Save the audio file to a location where you can easily find it. Since you will be recording and analyzing dozens of tremolo samples as you master the tremolo, set up an easy-to-find folder on your computer in which you will save all your recorded tremolo files.

LAPTOP RECORDING TIPS:

- If using the built-in laptop microphone, position your laptop about 2-3 feet from your guitar.
- Close any unnecessary applications to prevent system sounds from interrupting your recording.

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🖥️ Recording with a Desktop Computer

Desktop computers typically don't have built-in microphones, so you'll need to connect an external microphone.

  1. Connect a USB microphone to your desktop computer. Do NOT use a webcam for audio recording as the quality will be insufficient for the Wizard to analyze the audio accurately.
  2. Position the microphone 1-2 feet from your guitar in a non-reverberant room.
  3. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  4. Follow the same steps as for recording on a laptop using Sound Recorder (Windows) or QuickTime Player (Mac).
  5. Record a 30-second sample of your tremolo at a normal to loud volume.
  6. Save the recording. Since you will be recording and analyzing dozens of tremolo samples as you master the tremolo, set up an easy-to-find folder on your computer in which you will save all your recorded sound files.
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If you don't have a microphone, consider affordable options like the Blue Snowball ($50-70) or Fifine USB microphone ($20-50).
Do NOT use headset or webcam microphones.
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Recording with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) on Laptop or Desktop

A DAW offers the most professional setup for recording and analyzing your tremolo performance.

  1. Use a DAW (digital audio workstation) of your choice. Audacity is a popular, free, easy-to-use app. Cakewalk by Bandlab is also free and perfectly suitable for your needs. While Pro Tools , Reaper , and many other platforms offer more advanced features and complexity—along with a higher cost—they are exscellent tools as well, even if that extra functionality isn't necessary for recording your tremolo for the Tremolo Wizard.
  2. You will need a microphone. Do NOT use a webcam. You do not need an expensive mic. A simple USB mic costing around $50-100 will suffice. If you already have a more sophisticated mic and audio interface, that will work beautifully.
  3. It is best to position the mic 1-2 feet from the guitar, in a non-reverberant room. Do NOT apply any special effects such as reverb or compression. You can record in mono or stereo.
  4. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  5. In your DAW, record a 30-second sample of your tremolo. When you record your tremolo, play at a normal or loud volume. The Wizard has difficulty detecting the note onsets of a quiet tremolo and the quiet notes within crescendos and decrescendos.
  6. In your DAW, export or render your recording. Since you will be recording and analyzing dozens of tremolo samples as you master the tremolo, set up an easy-to-find folder on your computer in which you will save all your recorded sound files.

IMPORTANT:

Do NOT record sections of "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" or other tremolo pieces.
The Tremolo Wizard works best with single intervals or single static chords with alternating basses.

Try some of these intervals from "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" or these intervals from "Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios." In other words, hold one interval with the left hand and tremolo it with the right hand. Note that the repeated tremolo notes are on the second string, so your fingers must make small, precise movements.

To learn to use the app more easily, start with a slow tremolo of 80 BPM with the thumb plucking on the metronome ticks.

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Microphone Options for Better Sound Quality

While you can use built-in microphones on laptops and phones, external microphones will significantly improve your recording quality and make it easier for the Tremolo Wizard to analyze your playing accurately.

Recommended Microphone Options:

  • USB Microphones ($20-100): Blue Snowball, Fifine USB microphone, Samson Q2U, or similar USB mics provide excellent quality without requiring additional hardware.
  • Audio Interfaces ($100+): Devices like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo allow you to plug your USB mic directly in or connect a professional dynamic or condensor microphone with XLR connections.
  • Smartphone Microphones: For iPhone or Android, external mics that connect via Lightning port or USB-C can greatly improve recording quality compared to the built-in microphones.

MICROPHONE PLACEMENT TIPS:

- Position the microphone 1-2 feet from the guitar
- Avoid pointing the mic directly at the soundhole to reduce boomy bass sounds
- Record in a room with minimal echo/reverb

Using Audacity (free, for all platforms on laptop or desktop)

Audacity is a free, powerful, and easy-to-use recording application that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers more control over your recordings.

  1. Download and install Audacity from the official website.
  2. Connect your microphone or use your device's built-in mic.
  3. Open Audacity and select your microphone from the dropdown menu next to the microphone icon.
  4. Record with a visual-only "silent" metronome to avoid audible ticks that would interfere with the Tremolo Wizard's analysis. Recommended options:
    • Douglas Niedt's online metronome : allows zero volume, visible blinking light, and precise speed increments
    • Phone apps with similar features
    • Physical quartz metronomes with disabled clicks (note: these have logarithmic scales with limited increment options)
  5. Click the red Record button to begin recording.
  6. Play your guitar tremolo for about 30 seconds.
  7. Click the Stop button (square icon) when finished.
  8. To export, go to File > Export.
  9. Save the audio file to a location where you can easily find it. Since you will be recording and analyzing dozens of tremolo samples as you master the tremolo, set up an easy-to-find folder on your computer in which you will save all your recorded tremolo files.

ADVANTAGES OF USING AUDACITY:

- Adjust recording levels before and after recording
- Trim silence from the beginning and end of recordings
- View waveforms to check your recording quality
- Works on all major operating systems