A partner for my Rode NT-1a - recording Acoustic + Vocals

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MarioSavio

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Hi guys couldn't find an answer to this specific question - I'm using an Emu 0404 AI and a Rode NT1-a and have not known which mic would best accompany the Rode. I was looking at a SM57 for the low cost and versatility and the ability to use it live at a later date but 'About.com' said for acoustic mics you should use condenser mics - Ok - but isn't that only if you have one mic? I am looking at going for a two mic set-up (because my Emu has two XLR outputs I guess that's my limit! :P) and I'm stuck.

I looked at the EV635a that many said is cheaper and better for acoustic recording, but would have to get one shipped to the UK I think as it's a US brand as far as I can see. I also don't see many packs with a stand/cable/ etc.

I am using a blueridge BR-160 which actually some have hinted is difficult to record with in various places and I think I kind of agree.. I'm not sure what it is - a bit boomy maybe? I also have a LAG (winter) 400D (nice cheap guitar but with horrible tuners that are all breaking and I'm not sure about replacing them - if its worth it that is - and a banjo I will be recording at some point.

Any help appreciated.. would like not to spend more than £150. :)
 
welcome to the forum!!

i'm not 100% sure from your post whether you want one mic on guitar and one on vocals? or two mics on the guitar?

if you're putting two mics on the guitar, arguably the best microphone for the job is another nt1a.

in my opiinion, a pair of mics that are the same are gona sound better than a mish mash, unless you've intentionally picked different mics for different tones or for some particular reason.
 
Hey - I'm going for whatever's best I guess. I don't know if I'm fond of how the guitar sounds from just one mic..I prefer to record vocals and guitar at the same time.. I just can't seem to 'feel it' if I try seperately.

If I use one for vocals and one for guitar, two different mics wouldn't matter would it? Or would it still be best to get another Rode.
 
if you are getting a microphone so you that can record stereo guitar, then add vocals later, i'd get the nt1a for a pair.

if you're getting a mic for recording vocals, while the nt1a captures guitar, i'd go for a dynamic, but probably not a 635a cos of the omni pattern.

if i was recording this, i'd use an sm7b or a 58 up close to try to keep bleed down.



i had a lot of trouble in the past getting the sound i wanted from separately micing vox and guitar in a live performance.

i ended up getting much much better results by using a stereo pair a couple of feet back in a nice sounding room :)

as long as the singer directs his vocals down the middle, this is preferable to me, but i guess it all depends on what you want.


again, another nt1a would be textbook for that.
 
MarioSavio said:
thanks a lot mate any other inputs are welcome :)
Click to expand...

Just recorded a solo acoustic guitarist while singing and the EV RE-20 worked very good on vocals, while using a Oktava MK 219 on guitar..... could have used the Rode NT-1a on the guitar.






:cool:
 
cool. I'm not that impressed with my Rode for vocals.. it's ok.. but I have no comparison so can't tell how good it is with it being my first mic.

I'll look into the EV RE-20.

Edit: looks expensiveeee! :<
 
For the record I have quite a soft voice and am recording dreadnoughts at the moment but am considering moving to different and smaller sizes to better compliment my voice. I even think I may switch to classical guitar (so long as I can strum it) :P

Yeh.. not much knowledge here.. but a lot of eagerness to learn :D
 
if it's worth anything, i own and have used all of the mics mentioned so far.

the last one i'd use on vocals is the nt1a. i've never been a fan of it on any voice.
maybe it has it's place, but i always found it to be hard work in the high end.


as far as the re20 goes, big yes from me! but it's worth remembering the cheaper alternatives. it's probably fair to say that on budget preamps and at the beginner stages of recording, an re11/15/16/18 would do just as good a job at a lower price.

i've found the re11 to be very similar to the re20 on speech, so it might be worth a look if you're going that road.

i just watched an re18 slip through my fingers at $50 on ebay. :mad:

635a isn't bad at all, but from my experience, the low end will suffer.
 
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That's helpful thanks.. I have an EMU 0404... yeh.. I've struggled with the Rode.. like.. I'm sure it's not my voice, it's just I struggle to get something that sounds satisfactory out of it.. I was recommended it by someone, bit late now:P

on the guitar it seems to sound ok. But you're recommending I get a dynamic to sing with?

Edit: Is this an RE-20 Thom is using?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_z7DVj-Oks&feature=related

Edit 2: I 'have the money' but have extremely low income and it took me a long time to save what I have. There is also a chance I will be needing my cash to escape a home situation I'm rather tired of. For some travel or something and that means buying some form of travel guitar too. There's a lot I need my cash for so I can't throw it on something that will not be up to the mark on my Emu 0404 interface. (Again my first interface and I have nothing to compare it to but if I'm honest I would not have bought either now that I have been using them for a while) But they do the job.
 
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yeah, it's probably a good idea.

a few hundred bucks will get a great dynamic before it'll get a great condenser (generally speaking).

the best recommendation tho is to try out different microphones if possible.
road test a few if you can.


out of interest, can you post a clip of your voice, or tell us what you don't like about the rode recording it?

if you'd describe it as bright or harsh or tinny or brittle, then i'd say your voice isn't agreeing with the rode, but for all we know the sound you don't like is down to the tone of your voice, or the room you're recording in or something else.


**edit, yeah, that sure looks like an re20
 
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well it's just my bedroom for now with no studio work done it it whatsoever ( no point as I will move out soon enough ) not fussed on amazing quality just want it .. listenable.. passable quality - perhaps later quality I can give away for downloading or selling.

I'm not even sure what it is I don't like about my setup... I can never seem to get the gain right though. I listen to myself when I record and it feels like if I sing to loud I will get static but when I turn the gain down it feels to quiet or I can't properly hear myself. I don't have much in the way of quality recordings but I have something somewhere I'll drop box it..I actually think this recording sounds ok - recordings do sound ok to me when I get them right but something is going wrong with the gain.. if that's the emu or the rode I have no idea.

Here's a few, more for personal note than release, ha! But it's all I have. The guitar sounds a little meak because it's my old tanglewood which has no guts, some cheap thing, but my blueridge was pissing me off to record with because if I want to sing and play at the same time the it's too boomy and too loud for my voice, hence why I'm thinking - oops! bought the wrong -somewhat pricey- guitar. I had no guideance and I loved how it sounded in the shop but didn't think to try singing with it. It works with some songs but nothing where I really want to let the guitar ring or play it hard.

half the reason I started getting home studio gear was because I always found it 10x easier to sing with a mic, acousticly I just struggle.

I have quite a high pitched voice I guess?

 
i had a wee listen there! i have to say i'm pleasantly surprised. your voice sounds nice there.

If you're having trouble with recording gain, then a lot of help can be got from mic control when singing.

do you move at all when you sing? as in, get closer for quiet passages and lean away for loud/high notes.


if you can learn to control the level that the mic is picking up, i think you'll notice a big difference.

that said, although there's the odd bit of distorting in that track, i wouldn't have said it was a huge issue.


A dynamic mic for vox would almost definitely help too, cos they can usually take a lot more abuse. The problem is that although the mic is less likely to distort, you'll still have inconsistencies in your vocal volume, so eventually, if that bugs you, it'll come back to good mic control.

hope that helps.
 
MarioSavio said:
cool. I'm not that impressed with my Rode for vocals.. it's ok.. but I have no comparison so can't tell how good it is with it being my first mic.

I'll look into the EV RE-20.

Edit: looks expensiveeee! :<
Click to expand...


Yes but I got mine used, in fact right here on HR in the free adds forum for just a little over $200. and it LOOKS and SOUNDS like the day it shipped out of the factory.

Just check out fleabay and craigs list etc.








:cool:
 
The Rode is a good match for your vox, get a pair of sdc's for your acoustic
 
Big Kenny said:
The Rode is a good match for your vox, get a pair of sdc's for your acoustic
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I'm usually not a fan of Rode mics in general, but BK is right, it sounds fine on your voice. Just a touch of sibilance to clean up if we want to get nit-picky.

moresound said:
Exactly ....take a look at a pair of Naiant x-s microphones $39. each!!!








:cool:
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that those naiants are omnis. You will get your vocal bleed into them if you record guitar and vocals at the same time. This may or may not sound ok.
 
Sorry guys been a little busy. Yeh I do like the sound of this recording even though it's not exactly my best work I have little in the way of recordings or time to practice having had no place to practice in private basically.

Just gonna research those 'SDCS' (?) Really so cheap?
 
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