Recording distortion

[abcd123]

I have a Boss GT-8. I'm recording my guitar with this set up:

Guitar --> Boss GT-8 --> Mic Input of computer

I'm just using the amp mono output of the Boss GT-8 and with an 1/8" adapter to plug in directly to my computer. I'm using Garageband '08. I will try to get Logic Pro 8 soon.

It records clean sound perfectly but distortion I just can't get right. It sounds too fuzzy or too empty and there is hardly any bass sound.

Any tips?

[String7th]

Pedal distortion like that is not meant to go direct into the computer. The distortions on those pedals (including the Metal Zone and Digitech RP series) are just that; distortion. Just a fuzz on top of your guitar tone that feeds into an amp. The amp will drive it and the speakers will make it sound more natural sounding. That's what you want to record.

If you look into Line-6 real amp modeling, then you can go direct, because they are simulating a real amp and cab. Go to guitar center, plug into a Pod, play a riff on a good sounding preset distortion, then switch the cab model to "none" and hear what I'm talking about.

[flavviuss]

set the output of the gt8 to LINE/PA (at least this is called in gt6).
You can take the signal from the headphones output into the line-in input in the soundcard. This was for me the best way to do it. Of course, the best sound you will get with amp and mike.