Recording Classic Guitar

[eswan]

Hi Everyone,
I've just put in an order for some inexpensive recording gear, and I'm trying to educate myself on recording technique. I've been snooping around on the web, and I've seen plenty on mic placements for "acoustic" guitars (which we all assume to mean steel-string flat-top guitars that are often strummed with a plectrum.)

So, can I apply these same mic techniques to classical guitar (nylon string, played with nails) or does recording classical guitar require a different approach because of its tonal characteristics variety and difference in musical textures (i.e., independent parts rather than strummed chords).

FYI, these would probably be solo close-mic bedroom recordings done with a small condensor, both mono and stereo.

Also, has anyone found a mic particularly well voiced to nylon-string guitar?


THanks Much!

[InTheFire]

Yeah, I would apply some of the techniques mentioned in one of the other discussions on this forum. You'll probably find that the most popular position will suite you for the sound of the instrument; aimed at the end of the fingerboard but, not at the soundhole, and away from the headstock.

[yeahboye]

I have done a little engineering for my friend who plays nylon and I got stellar results from 2 KSM 44s employing a couple diffrent miking techniques (granted he's playing an 8000 dollar nylon stringed handmade by Spain's leading guitar maker).
Both are common.
We tried them side by side at the 12th fret, slightly angled away from one another, one pointing at the body the other at the neck.
We also tried 1 at about the 3rd fret for lots of finger texture and one where the body meets the neck for more boom.
To be honest, both are great, and besides what I noted, I could not here much difference (granted I didn't have as good an ear as I do now ).
It was just butter working with those 2 KSM 44s though.
*sigh*

[Richard Monroe]

Well, I've had my best luck with a steel string close mic'ing with a large diapragm condenser on the 12th fret. My best luck with classical has come using a pair of small diaphragms in X-Y or ORTF backed off 3-4 feet, which needs a pretty good room. A pair of Studio Projects C-4's works well for this, and a pair of Neumann KM184's works better.-Richie

[mshilarious]

I use two SM81s, 2 feet out from the neck/body joint.

You don't happen to live in NY, do you? I used to know an eswan in NY.

[philboyd studge]

Originally Posted by Richard Monroe

Well, I've had my best luck with a steel string close mic'ing with a large diapragm condenser on the 12th fret. My best luck with classical has come using a pair of small diaphragms in X-Y or ORTF backed off 3-4 feet, which needs a pretty good room. A pair of Studio Projects C-4's works well for this, and a pair of Neumann KM184's works better.-Richie

Right, the room is more important with a classical/nylon guitar.

[EddieRay]

Also consider a mic over the player's right shoulder next to his ear (assuming he's right-handed). I've been getting decent results using an AT4041 and a LDC about 2 feet out in front.