acoustic guitar recording
Home > Home Recording Forum > Recording Techniques > acoustic guitar recording
Posted on Apr 15, 2004 12:55 am
drake
Member Since: Apr 13, 2004
i've gotta be honest and say the recordings of my acoustic guitar sound like CRAP! i have decent epuipment so there's no excuse. anyone have some advice on how to get that studio dound out of my guitar with these mics:
2 pencil condensers
large diaphragm condenser
several cardoid mics
and a pickup built in the guitar
thanks for your help
[ Back to Top ]
Apr 15, 2004 06:40 am Hi Drake
I asked a similar question on a post not that long ago. It's still on if you want to have a wee swatch...I got lots from it to go off and try!
Titled "Accoustic Guitar - Advice". Top notch tips from the guys on this site...as ever.
Cheers and goodluck (and if you hit the spot with the accoustic EQ - be sure to share it!!)
Adios
Coco.
riffgodwww.charlienaebeck.comMember
Since: Apr 10, 2004
Apr 15, 2004 06:43 am what type of acoustic you working with? also, what type of environment you working in? not to mention, what type of sound are you going for with the recording?
drakeMember
Since: Apr 13, 2004
Apr 15, 2004 11:51 pm coco- thanks a lot for the redirection... those things really really helped.
i use an acoustic/elec ibanez performance. medium martin sp strings.
i record in my professional recording studio (i.e. college apartment.... ok so there's absolutely NOTHING pro about it).
i'm looking for that crisp, but not twangy sound. best example i can give is like john mayer
riffgodwww.charlienaebeck.comMember
Since: Apr 10, 2004
Apr 16, 2004 06:26 am Hmm... is it a full dreadnaught size guitar or 3/4 scale? For the John Mayer sound you might want to try a pack of GHS phosphor bronze XL's. They give you that bright crisp tone like Mayer has. :) Also, how many mics are you working with? You might want to try pairing a couple mics like a good condenser, and an sm57 around the sound hole and then another condenser on the neck for that percussive tone like Mayer gets if you have the availability for mics. Also, remember the more direct that you mic towards an open sound hole that you will get more of a low bass resonation from the soundhole that way. You might want to try placing a mic slightly off axis about 45 degrees towards the soundhole and see how it sounds. You could always try a direct box out of your plugin also in addition to a microphone and mix the two which sounds cool for a wall of sound type effect. I would go with the stereo pair of mics though any day for the best results. :) Goodluck
TYYMember
Since: Mar 04, 2003
Apr 18, 2004 12:54 am Simple is good.
Stick a LDC about 12" away aiming right at the twelfth fret and be done with it.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 20, 2004 09:33 pm And just my 2 cents worth here. I usually combine both the direct sound as I have a fishmann with a great pre-amp but most are good enough. And then a large diaphram condensor out a bit from the sound hole and aimed slightly at the neck. I usually use the direct sound for the brighter bit and the condensor for the deeper darker sound.
And as reffgod stated the phosphor bronze are the way to go. I us DiAddario myself but the GHS are prime stuff as well.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Apr 22, 2004 05:11 am ive just had my first play with twin micing my acoustic...an sm57 about 5 inches up the neck from the soundhole, and another about 3 inches towards the arse end of it...lovely fat guitar sound, cant wait to try with three.
my little behringer mic-pre is the daddy for acoustics too...
WillumIdiot.Member
Since: Apr 22, 2004
Apr 22, 2004 05:16 am Yeah, a mic at each and (and a pickup if it's got it) can give you a nice wide sound...
Stereo acoustic guitar recordings are SO your daddy!
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Apr 22, 2004 06:39 am not tried doubling them up yet, so thatll be interesting...
WillumIdiot.Member
Since: Apr 22, 2004
Apr 22, 2004 07:37 am yeah, you gotta watch out for phasing and stuff, but hey - it's worth having a play. :)
I've also heard of people doing a close mic near the bridge, the pickup input, and then a room mic, and mixing all three to get a much more kinda... well-rounded sound
SonicoMember
Since: Apr 19, 2002
Apr 22, 2004 09:45 am You can find some "good" information about recording acoustic guitars here. www.soundonsound.com/sos/...fd11641abc8e545
Also recommend to read the other tips in the past articles section.
Good Luck
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Apr 22, 2004 09:47 am sound on sound's cool, theyre based right near my house...cheers for the link!
drakeMember
Since: Apr 13, 2004
Apr 22, 2004 10:29 am yeah. this is awesome. i tried using 3 mics positioned around the guitar( 1 SDC at fret 14, 1 SDC at 45 degrees to the sound hole 6 inches away, 1 LDC over my left shoulder.) perfect sound. sounds pro.
i had to adjust the EQs a bit to kill some unwanted lows and reduce room noise. but all said and done, months of fooling around have finally come to something!
DrewMember
Since: Apr 21, 2004
Apr 22, 2004 12:58 pm One over your left shoulder? Hmm. Makes sense, as that's just about the position you listen from. Good thinking.
-D
TYYMember
Since: Mar 04, 2003
Apr 23, 2004 01:12 am Over the shoulder micing it pretty standard for stereo acoustic micing. For most pop/rock mixes, I strongly recommend mono acoustic. If you really want a big wide sound, double track and pan. Stereo acoustic is great for solo folk, intimate ballades, classical, etc, but can muddy up a more complex mix.
WillumIdiot.Member
Since: Apr 22, 2004
Apr 23, 2004 03:21 am I agree TYY, but on the flipside - doubling up mono recordings can give a too clinical, sometimes over-produced sound for an acoustic guitar..
In a big mix with lots of other stuff, mono reverbless mixing is good yes, 'cause you can work it in the mix better, but if an acoustic guitar is by itself or with very few other instruments getting a really nice room sound is what makes it sparkle... :)
