Acoustic Guitar Help

  • Thread starter Thread starter AdzMeister
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AdzMeister

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Ok guys, I need help.

Pretty much I'm asking what your opinions are on getting the best out of the equipment I own when recording acoustic guitar. I do not own any top microphones, I have a Rode NT1-A, three Behringer XM1800S, and some T-Bone thing my friend gave me. I understand the only respectable mic out of those 3 is the NT1-A, and I understand I won't get top results from these mics.

If needs be, I am able to record 4 mics at a time, so if that would create the best results, please don't be afraid to say :P In the track I'm recording, the acoustic guitar will be the primary instrument if that helps :) Thanks guys! Any guidance is appreciated so much!
 
Use good technique. Set your mics up properly and use gain staging correctly. Don't record too hot. Peak at about -12dBFS to -18dBFS.

Compress after recording.
 
Yeah as far as technique...don't be too inhibited playing the acoustic...you may not be at all but for me...I botched a lot of recordings by being a bit timid in my playing style...trying to kind of sneak the guitar onto the computer...trying not to thunk it or clunk it or have too much squeak...kind of underplaying and not playing it naturally. So...don't be afraid to just let the mic capture what you are supposed to be playing.
 
What style of acoustic are you recording? Is it the basis of the piece or just an extra instrument.... very different approaches can be required.

Forget about 4 mics... start with your NT1 about 18 inches out from your 12th fret, then strum something simple.... then, without stopping the recording, move the mic a little - closer, further away, aimed differently etc. and say what you're doing out loud. Try a dozen different variations on the one track then go back and have a listen and see which you prefer... keep at it until you get a sound you're happy with.

Then, try a second mic...

Learn to work with one first before you try multiples. Trust me, acoustic guitar is tricky!
 
Armistice said:
What style of acoustic are you recording? Is it the basis of the piece or just an extra instrument.... very different approaches can be required.

Forget about 4 mics... start with your NT1 about 18 inches out from your 12th fret, then strum something simple.... then, without stopping the recording, move the mic a little - closer, further away, aimed differently etc. and say what you're doing out loud. Try a dozen different variations on the one track then go back and have a listen and see which you prefer... keep at it until you get a sound you're happy with.

Then, try a second mic...

Learn to work with one first before you try multiples. Trust me, acoustic guitar is tricky!
Click to expand...

Yeah mic placement is the single most important part of recording acoustic guitar (and most anything for that matter). 90% of your sound can come from moving the mic. I'd go with one mic to start with and get a good sound. If you can't get a good sound with one mic, two is just going to be that much more frustrating. If it's a guitar/vocal thing, it's going to be much different than an acoustic in a rock mix.

I think acoustic guitar, along with drums, is the most preference based instrument. Ten engineers will give you 10 different ways to record it with ten different sounds. I like one SDC 10 inches from the 12th fret angled toward the sound hole for guitar/vocals...or a second SDC 6 inches below and behind the sound hole and pan the two sounds 50% each way. In a mix it's way different and I compress much differently and EQ differently.
 
Armistice said:
What style of acoustic are you recording? Is it the basis of the piece or just an extra instrument.... very different approaches can be required.

Forget about 4 mics... start with your NT1 about 18 inches out from your 12th fret, then strum something simple.... then, without stopping the recording, move the mic a little - closer, further away, aimed differently etc. and say what you're doing out loud. Try a dozen different variations on the one track then go back and have a listen and see which you prefer... keep at it until you get a sound you're happy with.

Then, try a second mic...

Learn to work with one first before you try multiples. Trust me, acoustic guitar is tricky!
Click to expand...

Yeah mic placement is the single most important part of recording acoustic guitar (and most anything for that matter). 90% of your sound can come from moving the mic. I'd go with one mic to start with and get a good sound. If you can't get a good sound with one mic, two is just going to be that much more frustrating. If it's a guitar/vocal thing, it's going to be much different than an acoustic in a rock mix.

I think acoustic guitar, along with drums, is the most preference based instrument. Ten engineers will give you 10 different ways to record it with ten different sounds. I like one SDC 10 inches from the 12th fret angled toward the sound hole for guitar/vocals...or a second SDC 6 inches below and behind the sound hole and pan the two sounds 50% each way. In a mix it's way different and I compress much differently and EQ differently.
 
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