If you wrote off amp simulators in the past, take another look. A major complaint about these sims in the past was latency. Many simulators now have multiple options, including a low-latency mode for playing live. If you do decide to try out an amp simulator, be sure to look carefully at the numerous settings available to tweak.
You can read more here: http://en.audiofanzine.com/music-software/editorial/articles/amp-simulators-tips-you-need-to-know.html
Recording Tips and Techniques
Necessary Reverb
Reverb has numerous applications for music. It can be used to contribute to the sense of space, distance, and even the size of a room. Whether you use a newer software plug-in to manage reverb or an older piece of hardware, learning more about why reverb contributes what it does to music can help you to better understand how to use it in your tracks.
You can read the full article here: http://audio.tutsplus.com/articles/general/why-reverb-is-the-most-essential-effect-in-your-toolkit/
24 Tracks Will Do The Job
Digital recording and other technology has removed many limitations from the audio industry. There is no longer any real reason that you can’t use 50 or 100+ tracks mixed together to make a song. Ignoring the daunting time requirement of mixing down 100 tracks, there is way too much room for error. Sounds get muddy, and the end product suffers.
You can read more details in the full article here: http://therecordingrevolution.com/2013/02/01/why-24-tracks-is-all-you-need/
Fading Cycles
Adjusting the faders while mixing can end up a cyclical process. It’s easy to overdo it with faders. Instead of judging the quality of each adjustment on the spot, try what Roey Izhaki calls the Extremes-Inward experiment. By having a rough idea of where each fader should be, you can avoid over- or under-adjusting any of the tracks.
You an read the full details here: http://audioundone.com/working-with-faders
Avoid Recording Mistakes
Some problems are easy to avoid when recording, but a pain in the rear when mixing. With so many things to remember, a checklist can help you avoid some of the most common problems while recording. Taking a few extra minutes to double check for the smaller details, like phase and placement, can save a good bit of headache later.
You can read the full article here: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/in_the_studio_a_recording_session_checklist/