muddy, but bright!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nick_Black
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Nick_Black

Mirthmaker
yeah, how do you get a real warm accustic sound, that seems to have/ does have lots of bottom end, but without it getting mucked up and sounding "blurred" I would like it to be quite distinguisable between strings (even in chords) how would I go about doing something like that...

please don't kill me...

thanks
 
Assuming your mic and pre are up to the recording task, subtractive EQ in the low mids. Low mids are where a lot of the "mud" resides.
 
Acoustic treatment in the recording space and mic placement. You don't want it totally dead, as some reflections are good for acoustic, but mud is the sign of a bad room. Also, angle the mic either toward (more bass) or away (less bass) from the sound hole as desired.
 
Yep, definitely new strings. On the best acoustic you can get your paws on.

Beeyond that, though, microphone selection and placement will be key. Just sticking an SP B1 randomly in front of the guitar could easily wind up sounding disappointing; and no amount of EQ will help in that case.

Rent a quality mic and preamp if you don't already have them, and then play with mic positions until you get the balance you're looking for without having to use an EQ. Only then use some subtractive EQ if you must.

G.
 
the right mic, placement, and subtractive eq can go a long way.
 
ok, new stings, and EQing, but usually when I EQ it get's "thin" fast! and I'm trying to keep a full sound. the micing the sound hole would work, but I'm using (depending on the song) ither an semi hollow or a solid. I agree with sound treatment, my room is half acustified, and still in progress, but I definatly need new strings (especially on the semi hollow, those things are more dead than a spicegirls CD in a metal concert..


THANKS TO ALL OF YOU! cheers!
 
I'm using an outboard Rane PE-15 parametric EQ... It's nice to have the outboard EQ for a hands-on feel... That's just my preference, I guess... All the replies above are great! Have you tried an MXL 603 on acoustic? That mic will surely tame your low end... I’m using a Martin D-28 acoustic… The 603 handles the low end just perfect…
 
TravisinFlorida said:
hmmm, i've never noticed a 603 taming the low end.
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Me either, i get the standard bump in the mid-highs and some serious boominess from some sources (acoustic when the mic is placed poorly, toms on drums mostly). Rolling off bass usually tames it well enough if i can't fix it during tracking.

daav
 
Nick_Black said:
the micing the sound hole would work, but I'm using (depending on the song) ither an semi hollow or a solid.
Click to expand...
Well, there's your problem. An actual acoustic will give you the acoustic sound best. If that's absolutely not an option, then a combination DI and micing the strings will sort of approximate an acoustic.
 
Nick_Black said:
yeah, how do you get a real warm accustic sound, that seems to have/ does have lots of bottom end, but without it getting mucked up and sounding "blurred" I would like it to be quite distinguisable between strings (even in chords) how would I go about doing something like that...

please don't kill me...

thanks
Click to expand...

Well, I suggested the 603. Maybe some folks don't think it tames the low end... Great! Fun talking the details with you... I guess what I meant was that it keeps things stable in the acoustic recording sense... The original question is above... I think the 603 is a fine suggestion. At least I'm not saying shit like "the right, mic" and other vague shit as such... Give the guy something to work with...

Power to the nit pickers of text!
 
Good player, good instrument, new strings, small diaphragm condenser mic, smooth sounding mic pre and a little dab of compression usually does the trick... but it all starts with the player so if you don't have a good one of those that is the first thing you need to find.

Peace.
 
Avoid the soundhole...
In my experience you get crisper highs and less "mudd" if you point your mic at the neck and not anywhere near the soundhole....
 
Using a pair of small condensor mics (MSH-1, I think?), I pointed one at my 12th fret and the other at the soundhole. I got a great sound that needed very little EQ, if any. Just depends on what sound I wanted, I guess.

For layering and background type of acoustic (think acoustic rock), I go for more of a string strumming sound. For solo acoustic stuff, I usually get more of the full bodied guitar sound.

I had new strings and it is a Taylor 410CE. Oh...and I was playing it. I guess I'm an good guitar player. I've been playing for a long time. Then again, that doesn't mean I'm any good. :rolleyes:
 
Fletcher said:
Good player, good instrument, new strings, small diaphragm condenser mic, smooth sounding mic pre and a little dab of compression usually does the trick... but it all starts with the player so if you don't have a good one of those that is the first thing you need to find.

Peace.
Click to expand...

small diaphram? hmmm... maby I'll give that a shot.. I typacally use a large or medium diaphram... but I'll try a small one. oh and thanks for the people who suggested mics, but the problem is, I'm broke (in dept acctually...) so I gotta use the Apex's and radioshack mics that I have for now.

and thanks IronFlippy, I'll try that, I don't usually DI guitars unless my parents are sleeping. but I've never Miced just the strings before on an electric. I'll try it.

and thanks too evryone else too! (yes I read all of them, and will try all of it.)
I think I got it now, THANKS!
 
Even if you are short on cash, take a look at the MSH mics.. http://www.naiant.com/studiostore.html

Extremely good value! The omnis are worth a look too.

Play with placement though. I can get a nice sound (for example) with a pair of SDCs about a foot away from the bottom of the guitar (i.e. the strap peg).

Try the unusual, as it all depends on the guitar, the player and the room (and what you want). Any advice you get is just a starting point, and a movement of even a few inches can make a real difference.
 
If you dont have a good sounding recording it will be hard even impossible to get a warm but not muddy, and still bright but not harsh sound with EQ.

A good pre amp, and mic(s) and good positioning, good room acoustics, and a warm sounding guitar will get you what you are looking for with some playing about.

Eck
 
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