I'm a little late to this discussion so, not sure if you've got an answer to your question.
This topic pops up quite often and I try to provide a bit of advise if I can.
Excuse me if I start out with very basics, because I have no way of knowing what you're knowledge level is.
So, here goes my 2 cents:
These days there are two primary techniques to recording your music at home.
1- Digital Self Contained Recorders
When I say self contained, they usually include the capture devise (microphone) and the recording software.
You've got some experience with those because your Zoom and your phone are both digital recorders.
The benefits of those include simplicity & portability.
The downside is you need to get it right on the way in, which takes some practice and may still result in unsatisfactory results.
2- Computer Based Recording
In this case the recording software is called a
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
The capture device can be a microphone or a direct signal from your source (vocals or instrument).
Using DAW software in you computer usually requires an additional piece of equipment called an
auidio interface.
The audio interface converts the signal from your guitar or vocals into a digital signal that your computer/ DAW can recognize.
The upside of recording into your computer with an interface and a DAW is, that you have more control over what's coming in, as well as the ability to adjust, correct and enhance the recording after it's captured.
That includes volume, EQ, and effects adjustments which can result in professional sounding recordings in your home.
The down side is, there's some additional expense and an a learning curve.
Most professional studios use this approach and it's the most popular way to go for home recording.
A bit more........
Let's start with the source, which is most typically vocals and or guitar.
To capture good vocals you'd need a decent mic.
Although there are several types of mics and prices that range from $25 - $25,000, if asked what should be my first mic my answer would be either a SM 58 or SM 57,
Either will do well in front of an amp.
The 58 is slightly better for vocals because it has a built in pop filter screen.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/compare.php?items=(SM58,SM57)
Next comes the
audio interface:
You plug the mic into that and use it for vocals or use the mic in front of your amp.
The interface will have a instrument in jack which will also allow you plug directly in without an amp.
Here again, there is wide range of equipment available but, there's no need to spend lots of money.
One of the distinguishing features is the number of inputs/channels the unit may have.
Most home recording can be done with a very simple one channel unit, however I always suggest that folks start with a unit that has two inputs like these.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/compare.php?items=(ScarlettSoloG2,AudioBoxUSB96)
So now you're making music and your plugged into an interface.
The interface will be plugged into your computer but, you still need the recording/editing software called a
digital audio workstation (DAW).
That's the guts and brains behind making good recordings.
The good new there is, one of the most popular DAWs is a free download.
It is called Audacity and many people on the forum use it so, getting help from the BGU group is a great advantage.
https://www.audacityteam.org/download/
Additionally, quite frequently when you purchase an audio interface, it will come with a free version of a DAW.
Most professionals use Pro Tools.
https://www.sweetwater.com/c699--DAW_Software?params=eyJmYWNldCI6eyJCcmFuZCI6WyJBdmlkIl19fQ
I'm not sure if that helps.
When I read your original post, you where asking about Griff's recording setup.
From what I understand here's what I think you where referring to:
In the above I mentioned that you could plug directly into an audio interface to record your guitar.
Some folks, myself included prefer to use tube amps which are notoriously loud for home use.
So, using an attenuator helps tame the volume that comes through the speaker.
In that case to record the amp you would place a mic in front of it.
Some attenuators have a line or record out jack which allows you to completely silence the speaker and send the amp tone directly into the audio interface.
Although that's possible, many people dislike that tone, because it misses the tonal elements that the speaker, cabinet and mic may add to the sound.
To compensate for that, some attenuators have speaker/cabinet simulation software built in, that adds back the tone from the missing components.
I believe I've heard Griff say he uses one of the
Two Notes units:
https://www.sweetwater.com/c1117--Attenuators_and_Simulators