Baritone Acoustic Guitar Recordings

[billv]

Hey all!

I got a baritone acoustic guitar earlier this week (part of my evil plan to do a set of acoustic guitar recordings). Well, the beast (29" scale, tuned down to B), presented some challenges, especially in regards to capturing the low end.

Here are the particulars on mics and mic placement:

Mics - AT3035 and Oktava MK012. Oktava pointed at 12th fret about 12" away. AT at a height of 4', angled down in front of the bridge at a distance of 2.5'. AT panned right 35%Octava panned left 35%. Oh yeah, I tracked it @ 24/48 with Adobe Audition.

I did locate some woofiness in the 180 - 200 hz range, and saw that I had a need for some limiting. So I created a bus in Audition, added some parametric EQ and some limiting, and fed both mic tracks into it.

I ended up doing 7 improvs. Some better than others, all having some messiness in the performance. But hey, they're improvs, right?

http://www.ambientarts.com/baritone

Sure would appreciate any feedback on the recording, especially in the area of the EQ adjustments (how did I do on the low end?), limiting and the application of ambience. I used Audition's Studio Reverb effect, starting with the one of the presets ("Room Ambience 2") and tweaking from there.

thanks!

Bill V.

 

[Anthrax]

that sounded exellent.

i really dig that sound. i'm listening to song 3, and its really nice, the sound is very even.

 

[guido #2]

I listened to improv #1 and IMO you are in there. Nothing left to do, K.A. man!

 

[tac5]

Now you've gone and done it! I was perfectly happy with my stable of guitars and now I must have a Baritone. Beautiful tone.

 

[billv]

Thanks for the kind words. It was pretty easy overall to get the sound.

I've had a chance to listen to the clips on several different types of speakers, and it does seem to hold up resonably well. I think that I may try to play around with the ambience a bit, perhaps soften the edges a little.

I guess I am off to the woodshed now to hone some performances.

And yes, tac5, you know you want one!

Bill

 

[amra]

I like the way it sounds, I love a low tuned, heavy strung clean electric, I didn't even know they made baritone acoustics. nice clips!

 

[Dolphin_Babe]

Beautiful playing dude Although you are missing the static I always get in my acoustic recordings. <--That's a joke. Your playing is great

 

[billv]

I like the way it sounds, I love a low tuned, heavy strung clean electric, I didn't even know they made baritone acoustics. nice clips!

There are actually several options in the realm of baritone acoustics. Veillette-Citron is a high-end maker, and they also sell an inexpensive Veillette-Citron designed ax called the Avante on www.musicyo.com (Steinbergers, etc.). Apparently Ani DiFranco plays one to good effect.

Google "baritone acoustic guitar" and you'll see what I mean.

Bill

 

[billv]

Beautiful playing dude Although you are missing the static I always get in my acoustic recordings. <--That's a joke. Your playing is great

Well, you know, it is really HARD to get the old basement quiet. I've got to wait until the entire family is in bed, and then unplug every appliance and whatnot. And then hope for no traffic...

 

[Rick Shepherd]

Hey Bill, what is the rest of your signal chain? Sounds great, nice playing!

 

[ecktronic]

The recording sounds good.
Although I would like to hear more warmth and depth in the recording.
I would maybe add some reverb and keep alot of the lo reverb EQ.
Try compressing a little to tame some of the attacky notes.
Sounds like a nice guitar you have there. Really attacky and clear and present.

Good recording, im just nit picking.

Eck

 

[billv]

Hey Bill, what is the rest of your signal chain? Sounds great, nice playing!

Both mics went into a M-Audio DMP3 mic pre, which fed a M-Audio Delta 44. All compression, etc, provided by Audition.

Bill

 

[billv]

The recording sounds good.
Although I would like to hear more warmth and depth in the recording.
I would maybe add some reverb and keep alot of the lo reverb EQ.
Try compressing a little to tame some of the attacky notes.
Sounds like a nice guitar you have there. Really attacky and clear and present.

Good recording, im just nit picking.

Eck

Please nit-pick! That's what I am looking for.

As I mentioned, I've got some reverb in there, but perhaps a bigger sound might be worth trying. I was trying to retain the closeness of the recording, so I went for a small room sound. It would be interesting to try a more expansive image.

Perhaps a little more low end would be a good idea. Although I did find that it was pretty easy to get woofy on the low end. I'll play with it.

It is indeed a nice guitar. And quite the bargain! If you happen to be in the market for a baritone, I would highly recommend the Tacoma.

Bill

 

[amra]

There are actually several options in the realm of baritone acoustics. Veillette-Citron is a high-end maker, and they also sell an inexpensive Veillette-Citron designed ax called the Avante on www.musicyo.com (Steinbergers, etc.). Apparently Ani DiFranco plays one to good effect.

Google "baritone acoustic guitar" and you'll see what I mean.

Bill

LOL, I had already googled Baritone Acoustic Guitars and found that Avante on Amazon.com for $450 if I remember right. I don't know if I will run right out and buy one, but it one of these days I might get one to experiment with a little bit. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[ecktronic]

Please nit-pick! That's what I am looking for.

As I mentioned, I've got some reverb in there, but perhaps a bigger sound might be worth trying. I was trying to retain the closeness of the recording, so I went for a small room sound. It would be interesting to try a more expansive image.

Perhaps a little more low end would be a good idea. Although I did find that it was pretty easy to get woofy on the low end. I'll play with it.

It is indeed a nice guitar. And quite the bargain! If you happen to be in the market for a baritone, I would highly recommend the Tacoma.

Bill

Well if you use a hi pass filter you can catch some of the lo boomyness. Also if need be you can use a multi band comp. to control the lo end although if you need to use a multi band then you probablly added to much lo end somewhere. So just try the hi pass filter, but dont use alot though.
And yeah try a bigger reverb but leave in the lo end EQ on the reverb and maybe add some more to add more warmth to the sound.

Eck