Open a New Project and Set Up Your Recording Space

To record in Guitar Pro, open the software and create a new file or open an existing one. Go to the File menu and select New, or press Ctrl+N (Windows) or Cmd+N (Mac). Guitar Pro will load a blank tab with a default tempo of 120 BPM and a standard tuning guitar track.

Before you record, decide which track you want to capture. If you're working with an existing tab, click the track name at the left side of the screen to select it. If you need to add a new track, go to Track menu and choose Add Track. You can name it anything — "Lead Guitar," "Rhythm," "Bass" — to keep your project organized.

Check your audio input settings next. Go to Audio menu, then Audio Settings or Preferences (depending on your version). Make sure your microphone or audio interface is selected as the input device. Test the input level by playing a note or speaking into your mic — you should see the meter respond without the red clipping light turning on.

Key Takeaways

  • Recording in Guitar Pro requires you to select or create a track, then enable recording mode through the Audio menu or transport controls.
  • Your microphone or audio interface must be selected as the input device in Audio Settings before you can record.
  • The metronome and count-in feature help you stay in time — turn them on in the Transport panel before you hit record.
  • Guitar Pro records audio to the track and syncs it with the tab, so you can play back both the notation and your performance together.
  • After recording, you can trim silence, adjust volume, and export the audio file separately from the tab notation.

Enable Recording Mode and Start Capturing Audio

Once your track is selected and your input device is ready, enable recording mode. Look for the Transport panel at the bottom of the screen — it shows playback controls like play, pause, and stop buttons. Click the red Record button (or press R on your keyboard) to arm the track for recording.

The record button will turn bright red when active, and the timeline at the top will show you're in record mode. If you want a count-in to help you stay on beat, go to Audio menu and enable Count-in. This plays a click track for one or two measures before the actual recording starts, giving you time to get ready.

Turn on the metronome if you want to hear a click while you play. In the Transport panel, look for the metronome icon (usually a speaker or bell symbol) and click it. You can adjust the metronome volume and tempo in the same area. Once everything is set, click the play button or press the spacebar to start playback — the recording will begin automatically.

Record Your Performance and Monitor Levels

As you play, watch the input level meter in the Audio Settings window or in the Transport panel. The meter should stay in the green zone — not too quiet (where you'll hear noise) and not so loud that it turns red and clips. If the level is too high, turn down your guitar volume or move your microphone farther away. If it's too quiet, move closer or increase the input gain slightly.

Play through the section you want to record. Guitar Pro will capture your audio and display it as a waveform on the track timeline. You don't need to play the entire song in one take — you can record multiple sections and piece them together, or re-record a section if you make a mistake.

When you're done playing, click the stop button or press the spacebar again. The recording will stop, and you'll see the audio waveform appear on your track. Guitar Pro automatically syncs this audio with the tab notation, so when you play it back, you'll hear your performance alongside the written notes.

Trim Silence and Adjust Recording Timing

After recording, you may have silence at the beginning or end of your audio clip. Right-click on the audio waveform and select Trim Silence to remove empty space automatically. This cleans up your track and makes playback start exactly when you begin playing.

If your recording is slightly out of sync with the tab, you can adjust the timing. Right-click the audio clip and look for Offset or Timing options. You can shift the audio forward or backward by a small amount (usually in milliseconds) to line it up with the notation. This is useful if you started playing a fraction of a second after the click track began.

You can also adjust the volume of your recording without re-recording. Select the audio clip, then use the volume slider in the Track panel on the left, or right-click and choose Volume to set a specific level. This lets you balance your guitar recording with other tracks or backing audio you may have added.

Save Your Recording and Export Audio

Save your Guitar Pro file regularly by pressing Ctrl+S (Windows) or Cmd+S (Mac). This preserves both your tab notation and the audio recording inside the project file. Guitar Pro saves as a .gp5 or .gp file depending on your version.

To export just the audio as a separate file, go to File menu and select Export Audio. Choose your format — MP3, WAV, or FLAC are common options — and pick a location on your computer to save it. WAV files are larger but preserve quality; MP3 files are smaller and work on any device. Enter a filename and click Export.

If you want to export the entire project as a video or audio file that includes both your recording and the tab playback, look for Export Video or Export Mix in the File menu. This creates a single file that shows the notation and plays your recorded audio together, useful for sharing or archiving your work.

Re-record a Section or Layer Multiple Tracks

If you want to record over a section you've already captured, select the audio clip on the track and press Delete to remove it. Then click the record button again and play through that section. Guitar Pro will record new audio in the same spot.

To layer multiple recordings — for example, recording a rhythm guitar track and then a lead guitar track on top — create a second track. Go to Track menu and select Add Track. Select the new track, arm it for recording, and record your second part. Both tracks will play back together, and you can adjust the volume of each one independently.

You can also record a vocal or other instrument on a separate track. Just make sure your input device is set to capture that source, select the new track, and record as normal. Guitar Pro treats all audio the same way — it syncs everything to the tab timeline and lets you mix levels after recording.

Troubleshoot Common Recording Problems

If you don't hear any audio when you hit record, check that your input device is selected in Audio Settings and that your microphone or cable is plugged in. Test the input by speaking or playing a note — you should see the meter move. If the meter doesn't respond, try unplugging and replugging your device, or restart Guitar Pro.

If the recording sounds distorted or clipped, the input level is too high. Lower the input gain in Audio Settings or move your microphone farther from the source. Re-record the section with a lower level. If the recording is too quiet, increase the input gain or move closer to the microphone.

If the audio is out of sync with the tab, use the Offset feature to shift it forward or backward. Start with small adjustments — 10 to 50 milliseconds — and play back to hear if it lines up better. You can also check that your computer's audio drivers are up to date, as outdated drivers sometimes cause timing issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record directly from my guitar without a microphone?

Yes, if you have an audio interface or USB guitar cable connected to your computer. Select that device in Audio Settings as your input, then record normally. The audio quality will be better than a microphone because you're capturing the direct signal from your guitar.

What if I want to record over a backing track or drum loop?

Import the backing track as an audio file into Guitar Pro first. Go to File menu and look for Import Audio or Add Audio. This creates a track with the backing audio. Then create a new track for your guitar recording and record on top of it. Both will play back together.

How do I know if my recording is in time with the tab?

Play back the recording and watch the timeline. The audio waveform should line up visually with the notes on the tab. If it drifts ahead or behind, use the Offset feature to adjust the timing. You can also zoom in on the timeline to see the exact alignment more clearly.

Can I edit the audio after recording, like cutting out mistakes?

Guitar Pro's audio editing is basic — you can trim silence and adjust volume, but you cannot cut out sections in the middle of a recording. If you make a mistake, re-record that section or the entire track. For detailed audio editing, export the file and use a dedicated audio editor like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition.

What audio format should I use when exporting?

Use WAV if you plan to edit the file further or need the highest quality. Use MP3 if you want a smaller file for sharing or uploading online. FLAC is a good middle ground — it compresses without losing quality, but not all devices play it. For most purposes, MP3 at 192 kbps or higher is fine.