Audio Technica AT 2020

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fletch1988

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Hi all

Just wondering if I could have your advice on recording techniques with 2 microphones?

Basically I want to record acoustic guitar and vocals at the same time. I find if I track them separately it never sounds as good, my singing isn't as good, I'm not as into the song etc and it always just seems to sound better playing a live track.

I have an AT 2020 mic, now obviously I can find the 'sweet spot' between vocals and guitar but its never going to sound as good as having 2 mics, one for vocals and one right next to the guitar. That way I will get clarity on both.

If I was to buy another AT 2020 mic and position them both as I describe, do you think that would work? I'm worried about the guitar one picking up a bit of voice, voice picking up guitar etc...is there a way to reduce this i.e. mic positioning? I know the AT 2020 isn't a figure of 8 mic.

Your suggestions would be much appreciated, I'm a bit of a newbie!

Many thanks :-)
 
I wouldn't worry about mic bleed if your going to be mixing them together anyways.
You could always get a more directional mic for the vocal. Maybe a dynamic will do.
Sm57.
I'd be more bothered about phase issues.
I'm a big fan of omni mics for recording acoustic guitars. I opt for my Niaint xs . Being an omni it does not have the same proximity problems that cardioid pattern mics have so you can get the omni mic right up on the guitar. Even attached to the guitar via a bracket for example.
These Niaint mics are dirt cheap and sound great. (Not affiliated)
But don't take my word for it ask others here.
I hope you find a good solution.
Read up on two mic techniques some
Rich
 
Thank you for your response.

So what do you mean by phasing issues? Sorry I'm a bit of a newbie. I've read up on phasing but I don't get how they would occur when two things are being recorded at the exact same time?

I could get an SM57 but the AT 2020 sounds so good on my voice! And I've tested it up close on guitar and it sounds really good there too. I don't have much to compare it to though as it's the only mic I've ever had. But the only thing is it is a very sensitive mic so there would be lots of bleed (although you say that shouldn't matter too much)

Other people's opinions/advice would be much appreciated as well!

Many thanks
 
You'll have to experiment a bit to see what works for you. The AT will definitely pick up a lot of guitar bleed (for better or worse) so, if bleed is gonna bother you, then I'd do what kip suggested and use a dynamic mic on your vocal.

To minimize vocal bleed in the guitar mic (if desired), you could try to find a position that has the mic facing down toward the guitar which will tend to keep the vocal in the blind spot of the mic.

Best bet might be to find a space that sounds nice with just the AT capturing both guitar and vocal.
 
Thank you.

I've been looking at the SM58..some seem to say it will sound good for recording and some say it won't. Bearing in mind I'm used to the quality from a cheaper mic, the AT 2020 so would the sound match that or not be as good? I know one is a condenser and one a dynamic. I'm just worried I will use it and then I will sound like crap! The 2020 gives such a nice sound (to me).

Is vocal/guitar bleed a big problem/I mean will it be audible to the listener?

I might try finding a space that sounds nice.

Thanks
 
fletch1988 said:
Thank you.

I've been looking at the SM58..some seem to say it will sound good for recording and some say it won't. Bearing in mind I'm used to the quality from a cheaper mic, the AT 2020 so would the sound match that or not be as good? I know one is a condenser and one a dynamic. I'm just worried I will use it and then I will sound like crap! The 2020 gives such a nice sound (to me).

Is vocal/guitar bleed a big problem/I mean will it be audible to the listener?

I might try finding a space that sounds nice.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Why don't you try out the microphone yourself? The Shure SM58 has been the industry standard for many years in stages and live performances. Besides, I used to have an AT2020, I can clearly state that it is no better than the Shure SM58 if you don't have a sound-treated room.

FYI: The Shure SM58 is a SM57 with a pop filter, just incase you didn't know. I heard from some people that the capsule for the SM58 was changed recently ( Idk if its the position of the capsule or what ) .
 
Actually if you like the sound of the at2020 on vocals there is a model called an AT2010 which looks like a hand held but has the same capsule as the AT2020, but better rejection. I have used them in the studio for tracking live vocals with a live band for demos.

The other option is to use a figure 8 pattern for the guitar and the AT2020 for your vocals, but you need to purcase a mic with a fig 8 pattern for this, the fig 8 had good rejection around the sides so you will pick up less vocals in the guitar mic.

Alan
 
I'm kind of a newbie here as well.

My own experience using an SM58 rather than a condenser mic is my vocals seem more flat. I'm not a pro (a hobbiest songwriter). My voice can be thin. Using a condenser my voice sounds more "full" for lack of a better word. Maybe a placebo stringless guitar during vocal tracks? I've found the same issue about having a guitar in my hand while singing. BTW looking at the AT2020 as well.
 
Thanks all for your replies, you have been very informative!

I've researched the SM58 in real depth and I've concluded how can I possibly ask if it is as good as the AT 2020 when Brandon Flowers (The Killers) recorded the vocals for his solo album with it! Apparently he recorded them and thought they turned out so well that he didn't redo it with a condenser. Also Bono apparently uses it in all U2's vocals. It must be good then.

wmalan if your looking at the AT 2020 for your info it produces some very good, crisp quality sound fro my experience. Glad to know someone else has the same issue about playing and singing at the same time. I just can't get 'into it' when I record them separately! I think I'm going to try the SM58 with the AT 2020 facing downwards on the guitar. Had a look at the AT 2010 as well, looks good but I'll probably go with Shure just because of it's reputation.
 
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