Double Micing Acoustic guitar... and vocals?
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Posted on Mar 26, 2005 09:58 pm
DLDude
Member Since: Dec 07, 2004
So after 2 years recording, i bought myself a SM57. I own a Studio Projects B1 which has worked great for my acoustic guitar, but in seeking even-better sound, i figured double-micing it would do some improvement. I've looked for some diagrams on how to double mic, but havent found a whole bunch. Is it usually the Condensor is about a foot from the sound hole, and then the SM57 would be pointed up the neck at the 12th fret? I thought i heard that somewhere.
On a similar note, can you double-mic vocals and achieve improved results?
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 26, 2005 10:13 pm I'm looking forward to doing this for acoustic myself with an SM57 and an MXL 990.
While I can't offer expert advice, I can say that my first attempt will be putting the SM57 6" away from the neck at the 12th fret, pointed at the 15th fret. I may even move it more towards the soundhole than that. This should capture the low end of the guitar nicely since this is the way that I mic currently and I like how it sounds, but it lacks high-end definition.
Then I'm going to put the condensor a foot or two away, at about the 12th fret. This should capture the high end and the room ambiance. I've also mic'd this way and I like how it sounds, but it doesn't have any low end to it.
I'll make sure they're in phase and then hope for the best and press record!
Mar 28, 2005 05:12 pm
I found this link helpful:
humbuckermusic.com/acguitrectec.html
I've been experimenting with stereo micing with a condensor and an sm57. I've had the best luck with putting the 57 angled a bit left pointing towards the sound hole and the condensor angled a bit right pointing towards the 12 fret, very similar to the "version a" in the link above... except I have them pointing slightly towards each other instead of away. Then in the mix I pan each about 60% left and right.
You really just gotta start playing around until you find that sweet spot/combination.
af_analogcrazy canuckMember
Since: Nov 25, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 12:20 pm Before you mic, think about what "type" of acoustic playing you will be doing.
If you are doing very subtle quiet acoustic playing, the mics will have to be closer to the guitar than 6" (57) and 12" condensor. If you have to drive your preamps to much then you will be left with a lot of unwanted noise.
On the other hand, if you are playing very "hard" acoustic with lots of volume then you can get away with having the mics back a bit.
Another trick I have used is a condensor behind the neck, takes a bit of work but it can sound very unique.
DLDudeMember
Since: Dec 07, 2004
Mar 30, 2005 12:50 pm I play pretty hard acoustic. Now i think the Condensor sounds great about 12". My SM57 is a different story however. I am getting crappy levels. I have to boost the mic to full Gain on my preamp, and also have it about 3-4" from the guitar. My only guess is that the chord that brings it through the preamp is a Mic->1/4th chord, which may screw up the sound. I'm going to get a normal mic cable and see if that works.
BTW.. Double-micing vocals sounds decent as well
