Acoustic Guitar Problems

[Nalencer]

I tried to record my acoustic/electric guitar by plugging it straight into the board, and all I got was a low rumbly sound. You could distinguish the chords, but it sounded awful.

When I try to use mics, I get the thing where it sorta "overloads" and the sound phases in and out between regular level and quiter. I probably has something to do with the vibrations, I guess. I tried putting the foam around the mic, but it still does this. The mics are a Behringer B-1 and Behringer XM18000s.

[soundchaser59]

Does your guitar have a battery in it? If so, it sounds like a dead battery to me.

Mic choice and position/placement has everything to do with recording acoustic.

[Nalencer]

No, no battery. How would you suggest placing the mics?

[NL5]

Do a search, there are tons of great tips.

I like a set of SDC's in an XY at the twelth fret, and a LDC a few feet back to capture the ambient sounds......

[Nalencer]

I ran a search and found a good method.

By the way, I'm glad to see that quote in your sig. At least someone's awake

[grn]

I like to use my Studio Project B1 or one of my Oktava MK012s and just stick it a foot back and aim it at the twelfth fret... I rarely mic in stereo unless it's like ONLY acoustic... but if there are other instruments, it's whatever... whatever sounds good.

[Nalencer]

I was incorrect. The new setup does not work. The mikes keep phasing in and out and generally sounding horrible. What could be the problem?

[Nalencer]

Didn't see your post, grn. Just tried the single B1 at the 12th fret, works great. Thanks.

[NL5]

Originally Posted by Nalencer

Didn't see your post, grn. Just tried the single B1 at the 12th fret, works great. Thanks.

GRN was right, I was assuming it was a solo acoustic piece for some reason.

If you were having phase issues with an XY your doing something wrong. Not sure what, but something......

[Nalencer]

I wasn't using an XY.

[Acoustic_Daddy]

Acoustic guitars should be mic'd at the 12th fret.

The reason you are only getting a low rumbly sound, is because the preamp inside the guitar itself is not powerful enough to send a decent signal. What are the pre-amps like in the board itself? If you are pumping the gains full ball, and the sound is still weak, you need another pre-amp inbetween the guitar and board.

I myself, use a Behringer ultragain tube pre-amp. (http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHMIC100)

I use it for vocals and acoustic guitar, just to get some warmth with multi layered tracks. I too had the problem of the soft rumbly sound, then ran the guitar through this tube preamp, and into the 2 track, and i had volume.

I don't usually like Behringer products, but this ultragain was the best money I ever spent on an external preamp.

Good luck