Solved How would you do this?

[danny.guitar]

This girl wants me to record this song from the movie "Once Upon A Time In Mexico". She sent me the MP3 and it took about 3 minutes to figure out...not a hard song to play.

But if you listen to the recording, it's very clear, has a nice stereo image, and also has a lot of depth. Also sounds just fine in mono.

Obviously, with my entry level gear and sub-par guitar, I don't expect results like that...but I really would like to try and get as close as possible.

I'm looking for advice on what I should do as far as tracking goes, to get that stereo image and depth.

I'm not sure if this recording was done in a live setting, or overdubbed. But I'll be doing each guitar separately...first rhythm then lead over it...then retake rhythm or lead if I need to.

Song: El Mariachi
Artist: Robert Rodriguez?
Movie: Once Upon A Time In Mexico

Here's the download:

Since I will be doing each take separately, how am I supposed to make it sound like a live setting?

 

[nddhc]

Try adding some reverb over the entire mix?

 

[InternetH3ro]

Reverb and EQ is your best bet, also, don't use an electric acoustic. Those were miced acoustics, and you'll want to capture that natural sound.

 

[danny.guitar]

Reverb does help make it sound more like a live setting, but not the same thing. And it is pretty obvious sounding.

Should I use a room mic instead? Even though my room is untreated? Or would that just be like turning the "shit knob" up?

I don't know...if I close mic, the guitars sound better, but 2-dimensional. If I mic further back, it has more depth (obviously) but it's not as "full" sounding like the recording.

 

[zed32]

I don't know...if I close mic, the guitars sound better, but 2-dimensional. If I mic further back, it has more depth (obviously) but it's not as "full" sounding like the recording.

then do both.


try using some stereo close mics, then maybe a single room mic placed a few feet away.

what reverb are you using? you're always saying how bad and "fake" reverb sounds, but maybe you're just using a fake sounding reverb?

 

[fishkarma]

Speaking of fake sounding reverbs, Does anybody else hate D-verb?
Garagebands AUmatrixreverb sounded way nicer
or is it just me?

 

[danny.guitar]

then do both.


try using some stereo close mics, then maybe a single room mic placed a few feet away.

what reverb are you using? you're always saying how bad and "fake" reverb sounds, but maybe you're just using a fake sounding reverb?

I only have 2 channels, so it's either record the guitars in stereo, or mono with a room mic. Kind of a lose/lose situation.

But that's what mdaStereo is for

I'm using Waves Renaissance Reverb. When I say "fake" I don't mean the reverb is of poor quality and sounds digital.

I mean that you have to go to extreme-low settings to get any sort of realistic ambience/room sound, and even then, it can still be too much.

Seriously...I have room size set to 1/100, wet to about 26, diffusion all the way up, and its just starting to sound more like a real room.

 

[legionserial]

maybe you're just using a fake sounding reverb?

Or too much of it.

 

[NL5]

Two reverbs. A plate and a hall. One set tight (hall) and the other for the "bloom" (plate). That's what I would do anyway. It's a pretty lo-fi sound, so it should be pretty easy to replicate.

 

[jonnyc]

Speaking of fake sounding reverbs, Does anybody else hate D-verb?
Garagebands AUmatrixreverb sounded way nicer
or is it just me?

Why would anyone care how you feel about dverb? Start your own thread if you really need to make a pointless statement like this.

 

[travelin travis]

do you have a fingerstyle guitar? that would help.

ask tim!

 

[travelin travis]

listening again. i would try close miking with a cardioid and adjust position/distance to get the right amount of low end.

 

[danny.guitar]

That sounds like a cool idea, NL, thanks. I'm wondering though, if adding another reverb on top of the one I have now will be too much, even on almost-the-lowest setting. Definitely going to try it though.

Travis - I'm missing both the classical guitar and the cardioid mic.

It's hard to get enough low end on fingerstyle stuff without boomy resonances off the body of the guitar, at least on mine.

I've been saving for an SM81B mic so I can have a cardioid mic to use.

Timothy Lawler, if you're around, I welcome your advice also.

For now though I'm gonna try & get the song down before I record. I did a few test takes with the reverb and am going to try NL's suggestion, and keep fucking with this damn reverb and hopefully get it right.

 

[NL5]

I'm wondering though, if adding another reverb on top of the one I have now will be too much, even on almost-the-lowest setting. Definitely going to try it though.

It's all in how you set it up. It needs to be pretty wet to match the sample you posted........

 

[CIRO]

I use to mic my ac guitars with a mxl 2003 (modded) directly below the "hole" (don´t know if is the correct translate, but...)and near the guitar (15cm aprox.).That´s the way I have the "fattest" sound, and the second mic (in my case a SM 58), I usualy try in many neck positions.Sometimes I use only the condenser.
Plugged into a DMP3 and an audiophile 192, similar gear to your.
Well, I don´t have the best room (13x 11 and some treatment with bass and panel traps, basicaly for mixes).

I´m listening far from my town, listening on average pc speakers, but the mp3 you sent has a clear and fat sound, altough with some background noises .

And I´m not 100% sure too, but , due to the "on face" sound, chances are he uses mic + line.

Ciro

my songs
www.soundclick.com/openstation

 

[ez_willis]

How would you do this?

I wouldn't. I'd use my charm to get in her pants. And lots of alcohol.

 

[travelin travis]

I wouldn't. I'd use my charm to get in her pants. And lots of alcohol.

and when that failed what would you try?

 

[danny.guitar]

Yeah dude, seriously, I've barked up that tree a few times now.

 

[mrface2112]

and when that failed what would you try?

a club. so easy even a caveman could do it.


cheers,
wade

 

[ez_willis]

and when that failed what would you try?

Not sure.


It's never failed.