mic on a classical?

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Big Kenny

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I've got a real noisy fingered thumper classical player. What mic/technique is useful to downplay the finger thumping that is getting in the way of close micing? Omni three feet out? ms?
 
spaced omnis 3 ft out

or

XY or ORTF 3 ft out

or

single cardioid or hyper between bridge and soundhole, 2 ft out pointed toward the end block. I use that a lot.

Tim
 
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Big Kenny said:
I've got a real noisy fingered thumper classical player. What mic/technique is useful to downplay the finger thumping that is getting in the way of close micing? Omni three feet out? ms?
Click to expand...

Mono or stereo? If mono, one omni about 12" out from somewhere between the 7th and the 12th fret and angled towards the sound hole is a good place to start. If it's too much, try backing away slightly more. Also, this might be a good case for switching in a high pass filter on the mike or preamp. If stereo, what type of sound are you looking for?

Otto
 
By "noisy finger thumper" what exactly do you mean?

left hand squeaking on strings?
right hand nail clicking?
just sloppy playing in general?

Is the basic tone quality pretty full and round, but with extra mechanical noises? Or are you trying to make the tone thicker?

Generally, mechanical playing noises won't be nearly as noticeable a few feet away. And you'll capture a more realistic impression of the guitar if you don't get closer than 2 or 3 feet.

Tim
 
Her right hand plucks the string and makes an audible thumping. She's new to guitar and has no consistent attack. She's a great singer but not so hot on guitar. I'm just trying to get a usable track that I can bury with her voice later

Thanks Tim, and all
 
let me rephrase that

What mic(s) are you going to use on this, not what do you have to choose from. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Just curious.
 
Big Kenny said:
Her right hand plucks the string and makes an audible thumping. She's new to guitar and has no consistent attack. She's a great singer but not so hot on guitar. I'm just trying to get a usable track that I can bury with her voice later
Click to expand...

That sounds like a less than optimal solution. I gather from this that you are tracking the guitar first and then adding the vocal. It sounds like she anchors her thumb/palm against the guitar below the sound hole and that is what "thumps" -- is that it? Is she playing sitting down in the "classical" position, with the guitar sitting on her left leg (assuming she is right-handed)? Is her left foot raised? It might be possible to get her to change her position slightly so that she anchors her right hand less or differently. For example, if her left foot is on the floor it may help to raise it 6" or so. Or put a strap on the guitar so she's holding it slightly higher. Or even shifting the guitar to her right leg (although that might feel weird to her).

I've had some success recording a classical guitar about 2-3 feet away using a large condensor mic (AT4047). As to where to point it you really should experiment. But it sounds like tinkering with the performance might be the best solution here.
 
All do respect, her playing isn't gonna get better this week. I am going to try the T3 in omni(start at 4 ft out) with a pair of naiant studio omnis spaced pair and see what happens
 
I'm curious too... an actual thumping sound is unusual. Is she hitting the soundboard?

Whatever the thumping is, if she thinks it's part of the sound she wants, maybe it's not a bad thing. If it's something she doesn't want in the recorded sound she should practice the part and not thump. But yeah, you can probably minimize it with distance.

Clapton's nylon sound on Tears In Heaven would be considered extremely harsh by most classcial guitar afficianados if they heard it on a guitar solo, but it sure works in the song.

Same thing with Mason Williams nylon str tone in the original recording w/orchestra of Classical Gas. Very metallic tone but it suited the setting and the rhythmic style.

Tim
 
Depending on how picky everyone is

it sounds like there might need to be some editing involved.
 
notCardio said:
it sounds like there might need to be some editing involved.
Click to expand...

Yeah, use envelopes to cut down the thumps, and/or high pass at 80Hz or maybe even 100Hz. It sounds like compression is going to be necessary on the track too.
 
classical...you need room tone! close micing just wont work for that sort of thing. I just did a guitar festival(nothing but flamenco/classical guitarists for 3 and ahalf days :( ..now I hate the stuff)

I used two of my omnis on a jecklin disc about 4 feet away, and another pair way far away to get some room tone..

Jecklin or Blumlein are SUPERIOR for solo guitar..and ribbons in blumlein..orgasmic!!! .. if you want to borrow a pair of mine...you are more than welcome.

thank me later. :D
 
cannabis said:
like retracking the guitar

after she's out of the studio :)
Click to expand...


Done that before, not a bad thought. I don't have a jecklin disk but they look pretty cool, might try my hand at making one, gotta find a sheep, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sheep.......
 
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