Acoustic guitar distortion

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Look out!R4XvW3

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It's ironic that I find my way on here for the first time in ages, and there is an acoustic guitar recording thread right at the top. I will definitely read through it at some point.

I'm having a problem with acoustic guitar distortion at the moment. I have never noticed this until now, and I am still a novice home recording enthusiast when it comes to using a DAW. My levels are good, I'm anywhere from 10 to 20 inches away from the mic, but I can hear distortion. I started out with a condenser mic (AKG C 214), and then tried a dynamic mic (Beyerdynamic M 88), the results sounding a little less distorted with the dynamic mic. I'm going into a Babyface Pro. It's a terrible, near empty room, but I am using some moving blankets on mic stands to add some plushness ALTHOUGH I definitely could bring those blanket walls in closer to make the situation better, and I will do that.

I suspect the reason I am hearing distortion is because I am playing the song that I am trying to record aggressively, and the song tempo is fast. I plan on altering the blanket setup and lowering the recording level, even though the levels are within the ranges that are supposed to be optimal (-18 to -12 in Reaper). I am thinking of going direct input into the Babyface and seeing how that sounds. I don't have a lot of hardware effects, but I do have a Keeley compressor pedal (not sure I should use it with an acoustic guitar or if it is made for that) and a Strymon Iridium pedal, although the Strymon company actually states that it is not intended for acoustic guitar use. I would be willing to purchase something modest for my acoustic recording in the way of an effect if I feel I will need to record direct input.

Has anyone else out there experienced slightly distorted sound miking an acoustic because they feel they are playing the guitar aggressively? Any advice or recommendations for an acoustic pre-amp?
 
Is there a gain setting on the interface? It may be a bit high? Make sure the fader in REAPER is at 0db and the meters are within that range when you set the gain.
Compressors with acoustics are tricky, but giving it a go won't hurt :) Just looking up the Keeley now and no one seems to use it with acoustic... May be outside your price range but this seems to be more like what you need:
musicredone.com

L.R. Baggs Align Series Acoustic Saturation/Compressor/EQ Guitar Effects Pedal

Make your plugged-in tone bloom with the LR Baggs Align Session compressor and saturation pedal. Its subtle compressor tames peaks while bringing up the warmth and nuance of your tone. Dial in the Saturate control to add just the right amount of harmonic richness and midrange complexity. A...
musicredone.com musicredone.com

Good luck!
 
I doubt very much that the problem is either the BabyFace pre amps or the mics but it is always a good idea to try recording at a much lower level, peaking to -25 even just -30dB (24 bit) will not be a problem as you can digitally boost the gain post tracking with impunity.

But please post a short clip, 20 secs of frenzied guitar then 20 of silence and PLEASE attach as a 320k MP3 NOT a YT or other format. I can just drop an MP3 into Samplitude and have a harken.

"Great minds Mr S...great minds!"
Dave.
 
Serendipity Records said:
Is there a gain setting on the interface? It may be a bit high? Make sure the fader in REAPER is at 0db and the meters are within that range when you set the gain.
Compressors with acoustics are tricky, but giving it a go won't hurt :) Just looking up the Keeley now and no one seems to use it with acoustic... May be outside your price range but this seems to be more like what you need:
musicredone.com

L.R. Baggs Align Series Acoustic Saturation/Compressor/EQ Guitar Effects Pedal

Make your plugged-in tone bloom with the LR Baggs Align Session compressor and saturation pedal. Its subtle compressor tames peaks while bringing up the warmth and nuance of your tone. Dial in the Saturate control to add just the right amount of harmonic richness and midrange complexity. A...
musicredone.com musicredone.com

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you.

I'll look at all of those things, it's almost always something simple as far as fixes go, and I would rather not spend my money on things I do not need (which is easy to do with this hobby). I was already looking at that pedal you are suggesting and I think I can afford it; I just want to make sure I actually need it before making any purchase. I have to buy a budget bass, soon.

I'll let you know how things turn out and I appreciate your help. :-)
 
spantini said:
Welcome, @Look out!R4XvW3

Best to begin by posting a 1 minute (or longer) mp3 render at your desired gain settings.
Click to expand...

If I find the suggestions do not work, I can definitely do that, but forgive me...where can I post the clips? I have never posted a sound clip before.
 
ecc83 said:
I doubt very much that the problem is either the BabyFace pre amps or the mics but it is always a good idea to try recording at a much lower level, peaking to -25 even just -30dB (24 bit) will not be a problem as you can digitally boost the gain post tracking with impunity.

But please post a short clip, 20 secs of frenzied guitar then 20 of silence and PLEASE attach as a 320k MP3 NOT a YT or other format. I can just drop an MP3 into Samplitude and have a harken.

"Great minds Mr S...great minds!"
Dave.
Click to expand...

If I find the suggestions do not work, I can definitely do that, but forgive me...where can I post the clips? I have never posted a sound clip before.
 
"have to buy a budget bass, soon." Well now! some months ago I bought my daughter (55!) a Jazz clone. Brand new and really a very good guitar for just over 100 quid!

Where's my MP3?


Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
"have to buy a budget bass, soon." Well now! some months ago I bought my daughter (55!) a Jazz clone. Brand new and really a very good guitar for just over 100 quid!

Where's my MP3?


Dave.
Click to expand...

I'll try to get the clips to whoever asked! :-)


Plus, that's a nice Dad! Does she like the bass?
 
ecc83 said:
. . .

But please post a short clip, 20 secs of frenzied guitar then 20 of silence and PLEASE attach as a 320k MP3 NOT a YT or other format. I can just drop an MP3 into Samplitude and have a harken.

"Great minds Mr S...great minds!"
Dave.
Click to expand...
I learn from the Master, Mr D 8-)
 
I seriously doubt you are overdriving the mic. An acoustic guitar is generally in the 95-100dB range even played aggressively. Mics like the AKG 214 should easily handle 140dB. Preamps that are properly set can record amps and drums that can be 120dB. So assuming the microphones and preamp/interface isn't defective, you should be able to record cleanly.

If you are truly getting distortion, then the primary suspect would be input level. You say you are -12 to -18 on the meters in Reaper, and that SHOULD give you plenty of headroom, but you can easily lower the gain another 5 dB or so without causing a problem.

Are you sure you aren't getting noises from the guitar? I've heard buzzes and things from guitars that make it sound like distortion. I was getting a ringing sound from my Taylor on the 3rd string. Simply loosening it and reseating it on the bridge again cleared up the "zing" that I was hearing.

You might read through this article about recording acoustic guitar. There are lots of good points.

theacousticguitarist.com

Recording The Acoustic Guitar [Get Great Sounding Acoustic Tracks]

Learn the basics of recording acoustic guitar, including how to get started, what to avoid and what makes a great recording and a look at the essential equipment required.
theacousticguitarist.com theacousticguitarist.com
 
Attached is something my son did years ago. He doesn't 'do' songs where he is strumming these days, he mostly plays classical guitar or lead rock and is in a trio playing bass.

Rich is on the money when he says the guitar itself can sound distorted. A rattly fret, too low an action for heavy strumming and (sorry!) poor technique can make buzzing noises that accompany the sound and 'dirty' it up. When did you last fit a new set of strings?

Having the mic too close will worsen these things and of course, any kind of "DI" is the ULTIMATE 'close mic' !

Dave.
 

Attachments

Both files are the same clip; only went with the dynamic mic for now. One file with EQ and compression, and one without. Trust me when I tell you all the levels in Reaper were appropriate.

I probably just need to lower the levels considerably as suggested by ecc83. Sorry for how 'crispy' these clips sound, this is still very new to me, and it sure doesn't sound that way through my very dull sounding Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's in Reaper.
 

Attachments

What has changed chaps? I used to be able to copy such attachments as the original file. Now a right click just gives me "link" options. I can PLAY the audio but how do I save it?

Dave.
 
I don't hear "distortion". With headphones, what I hear is a very thin, almost hollow sounding recording, with considerable peakiness in the 1 to 2 kHz range. I don't know if it's a function of the guitar (sounds to me like a smaller bodied style), the mic placement or room acoustics intruding on the sound.

I've not used the M88, so I don't know it's tonal balance, but I would be surprised if that was the source. I am more familiar with AKG's sound which I would expect to be reasonably neutral.

What is your monitoring setup like? Could the distortion you are hearing be coming from there?
 
TalismanRich said:
I don't hear "distortion". With headphones, what I hear is a very thin, almost hollow sounding recording, with considerable peakiness in the 1 to 2 kHz range. I don't know if it's a function of the guitar (sounds to me like a smaller bodied style), the mic placement or room acoustics intruding on the sound.

I've not used the M88, so I don't know it's tonal balance, but I would be surprised if that was the source. I am more familiar with AKG's sound which I would expect to be reasonably neutral.

What is your monitoring setup like? Could the distortion you are hearing be coming from there?
Click to expand...

Maybe it's just my hearing. My left ear is a mess and both ears are damaged. I sometimes wonder if that's the issue. I have/ had Menieres disease (I'm 57 now, but my Menieres nightmare started when I turned 39). I have so much tinnitus it would blow your mind, and I have a lot of hearing loss in my left ear. I am curious to hear what others think of those clips.

I just simply have my headphones plugged in to monitor. I hear distortion on those clips here on my laptop on this forum, but again, it could just be my crappy ears. I also feel like so many new recordings are mastered to distortion, but it could be just my compromised hearing that is the culprit.

I play a Taylor 314ce.
 
@ecc83 click on the file, it will open in a new tab (on mac anyway); three dots on right side, "download" should be an option
 
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