Getting the sound that I hear...

[Myriad_Rocker]

Right now I am without a pre. But I have the Great River ME-1NV in my scope and I'm getting it pretty soon. I have tried DI'ing an acoustic via other means and it just sounds...lifeless. So...I have to wait for a mic pre.

But, so I'll have a place to start when I get it, how can I get the sound that I hear when I'm playing? Stick an LDC up by my ear? I have a Rode NTK and an MXL V67G. Those are what I would be using...along with the Great River.

Also, any other tips for getting a good recorded acoustic guitar sound? I'm probably beating a dead horse with that question....I have just always recorded electric guitars, which is, IMO, quite a bit different.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

But, so I'll have a place to start when I get it, how can I get the sound that I hear when I'm playing? Stick an LDC up by my ear?

That is in fact a known technique used by some pros. If you're right-handed, place the mic above the left shoulder, tilted a bit down towards the guitar. If you're left-handed, switch shoulders.

An alternative would be to place the mic in front of the guitar, but outside of the near field of the guitar (i.e. >3ft away.) This will help give the full sound of the full guitar, but it is also very dependant upon the quality of the room. Plus, though it will be a "more complete" sound than typical near-field miking, it will probably not sound the same as what hits your ear.

G.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Thanks very much. I guess the obvious answer is sometimes the correct one.