recording an ovation!!

[elicantu]

whenever i record any other guitar i do two instrument mics on x y then i put an mxl 990 where the neck meets the body ...and as we all know whenever you put a mic infront of the sound hole it sounds really boomy ....but the question is can i still put the 990 where the neck meets the body with an ovation since they have those holes up in there? has anyone recorded an ovation? if so please help..

 

[appleyardrules]

i think you must be more specific
my ovation has a giant hole in the middle likem a regular guitar, but i think i know what one you are referring to
the way i record any acoustic usually is XY pattern omnis about 15 inches away from the center hole, or where the center hole would be

 

[cusebassman]

He is referring to the way the overwhelming majority of Ovations are designed - with the vent holes cut into that leaf thingy up by the top left part of the guitar's front.

As for mic placement, don't know what to tell ya. Perhaps lower the mic slightly so it isn't facing directly over any of the little holes. I'd imagine it would be fine either way, but set things up as you normally would, plunk down with the Ovation and try it. If it's boom-city, move that 990.

Not to be a dick, but don't people simply try things anymore?

I know I know... some are overly concerned about doing things the 'right way' - but generally, beyond commonly used practices, there is no particular, exactly correct way of doing these things. Give it a shot - I don't think you'll hit a snag, as the vent holes are significantly smaller on the Ovation, so you probably won't get the same projection as a larger soundhole. Just my thought though - they could prove even boomier

 

[elicantu]

yeah i am talking about the leaf pattern thing.

and thanks for the tips cusebassman

 

[mshilarious]

the way i record any acoustic usually is XY pattern omnis

While omnis are slightly directional at very high frequencies, you aren't going to get a lot of stereo info with them in XY . . .

 

[Robert D]

My Ovation has a regular soundhole, so no experience here, but I know what you have. There really isn't, to my knowledge, a body of knowledge on this subject, or a standard way of doing this. If it's one of the thin body models, these guitars were designed more for plugging in more than for projecting acoustic sound. Anyway, it's time to experiment and see what works best. If this is going to be an acoustic track in the back of a dense mix, your job is going to be fairly easy. If it's for a primarily acoustic guitar track, you've got a bit more of a challenge on your hands getting a rich and full acoustic sounding track. Good luck, and let us know what ended up working best.

 

[mrface2112]

it's pretty simple. put the mic wherever it gets the best sound. on an ovation, that might be tricky. i've not heard one that i thought sounded very good acoustically.

i'd also get a DI track b/c that's what, IMO, ovations do best.

good luck and YMMV!

cheers,
wade

 

[giraffe]

the best place to put a mic on an ovation is nearer the rented martin.

 

[giraffe]

seriously though, when all else fails if your room dosn't suck just try backing the mic off a bit.

 

[mrface2112]

the best place to put a mic on an ovation is nearer the rented martin.

that's what i was thinking but didn't want to say.

have some chicklets.


cheers,
wade

 

[Robert D]

the best place to put a mic on an ovation is nearer the rented martin.

Now be nice...... although that's exactly what I do, except the Martin isn't rented.

 

[NL5]

Try cardoid condensers in an X/Y at the twelfth fret as close as the guitar player will let you put them..........

 

[elicantu]

right on i'll try all of those techniques and by god i wish i had a dagum martin but im not rich enough
maybe whenever i own the world i'll get me a martin..i'll get ya'll one too

 

[cusebassman]

i'd also get a DI track b/c that's what, IMO, ovations do best.

I know this is an old thread at this point, but I would like to second this. Ovations to me sound great through a PA system, but not so good as acoustic instruments - very dull, "boxy" sound, if that makes sense. In that vein, I'd say to try and record both mic'd and DI'd at the same time.

I didn't go back and reread your original post to know if you have the recording capability to do this, but if you can, go for it!

 

[chessrock]

recording an ovation!!

How 'bout let's not record an ovation ?

Can we start a thread called "smashing an ovation?"

I'm game for that.
.

 

[cusebassman]

Well, i don't like them much either, but if you don't have the cash to replace your guitar, then what're ya gonna do, right?

Ooh - record the one you have

 

[Chili]

Recently Recording magazine ran an article on recording the ovation. I thought, Great, some good advice, cause I can't get anything good out of it. Except basically, the article said you're SOL with an ovation.

That plastic bowl is supposed to be all scientifically designed and whatnot, so I started experimenting with mic'ing the bowl from the backside of the guitar. I haven't really done much with it yet, but I think I'm getting something useable by putting a LDC near the cable plug, then another track from the DI.

If you try that, I'd be interested to hear how it works for you.

Cheers.

 

[chessrock]

Well, i don't like them much either, but if you don't have the cash to replace your guitar, then what're ya gonna do, right?

If a toy guitar was all I had ... Then I'd get creative with the arrangement and maybe ad some toy drums and/or other types of toddler noisemaking devices.

You could also simply change it to an aca pela arrangement ... or perhaps something using an electric gtr instead. Worlds of alternate possibilities available, really.

.