Question On Guitar Recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter njs2011
  • Start date Start date
N

njs2011

New member
Okay, so I'm working on getting some equipment to start my own little studio. Me and a couple of my friends/bandmates play acoustic guitars and sing as well. For the vocals, I'm planning on buying 3 or 4 GLS Audio ES-58s, also equivalent to the Shure SM58s but cheaper price. I'm going to use my iMac for recording probably with Garageband since I'm experienced with it and it's free. And I'm still looking at mixers but I'm not too sure of which to get, so if anyone has any feedback on that, I would appreciate you leaving it here or PMing me about it. (:

But for recording our acoustic guitars, I wasn't sure if it would be better to just plug the guitars straight into the mixer or get separate microphones for them and plug those into the mixer, or would it be best to do both?

If it came down to getting microphones for recording the acoustic guitars, I would probably be looking to get 3 or 4 of the GLS Audio ES-57s. These are the equivalent of the SM57s, but cheaper price.

Thanks for reading all this and if you can help out, I'll have much appreciation, Thanks.
 
Before buying anything READ THIS POST
Do some serious thinking about HOW you want to record, not just WHAT. If you use a mixer, you will most likely be recording multiple instruments and/or voices at one time, which means you can't adjust them individually in the software.
 
I've used direct out on acoustic and gotten decent results. Mics are more open sounding and seem to produce more frequencies. Direct is different from mics though so try both and you'll see. Different vibe but neither is the "best" way.
 
Acoustic guitars truly deserve a pair of condenser mic's, especially if it's a nice guitar. As mentioned, do some research before buying. It sounds like you are used to playing live, but recording is a whole different animal.
 
Washburn100 said:
Acoustic guitars truly deserve a pair of condenser mic's, especially if it's a nice guitar. As mentioned, do some research before buying. It sounds like you are used to playing live, but recording is a whole different animal.
Click to expand...

Well the reason I was looking at getting GLS Audio ES-57s is because I heard they are really tough mics as well as having great performance. I've also heard that they are in studios all over the world so I figured for the price, it would be perfect. I know condenser mics are a lot more expensive (at least for higher quality anyways) and I'm on a budget so I'm more looking for affordable microphones that would be good for recording with, thanks.
 
There is just a complete difference from dynamic mic'a and condenser mic's. Dynamic mics reject most sound except what hits them direct, and they also have a much lower threshold meaning the sound must be close to them and directly at them. This is great for live, because it eliminates feedback problems. Condensers pick up much more sound and detail from farther away, so you get a more full sound including room. You can get a decent pair of condensers that are great for acoustic guitar. Have a look at the MXL mic's. Here's a link. One over the shoulder and the pencil at the 12th fret sounds great. MXL 990/991 Recording Microphone Package

I picked up these on flee bay for $35 and they sound awesome with my acoustic. AM2 Stereo Microphone Set Got detail?
 
Since your planning on using your mac you may as well skip the mixer and just get an interface. Interface's have all of the basic components of a mixer except they record directly to your computer. Also in a pinch you could use 2 of your es-57's(one aimed at the 12th fret and the other at the bridge) instead of pencil mic's although the later is probably better. I got 2 CAD cm217's at GC (buy one get one free) for 59$.
 
Washburn100 said:
There is just a complete difference from dynamic mic'a and condenser mic's. Dynamic mics reject most sound except what hits them direct, and they also have a much lower threshold meaning the sound must be close to them and directly at them. This is great for live, because it eliminates feedback problems. Condensers pick up much more sound and detail from farther away, so you get a more full sound including room. You can get a decent pair of condensers that are great for acoustic guitar. Have a look at the MXL mic's. Here's a link. One over the shoulder and the pencil at the 12th fret sounds great. MXL 990/991 Recording Microphone Package

I picked up these on flee bay for $35 and they sound awesome with my acoustic. AM2 Stereo Microphone Set Got detail?
Click to expand...


I noticed there were two links there.. On the first link with the MXLs, it said that the 990 is for vocals and the 991 is for acoustic guitar. Well I was wondering if there would still be a good quality recording if I used the 990 for vocals and just one 991 for acoustic guitar instead of two? And if so, where would I place the 991 in regards to my guitar?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top