Portastudio setup giving me bad guitar tones...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dingoman53084
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Dingoman53084

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Hey everyone, im using a TASCAM analog portastudio along with a shure sm57 that im running through a mackie mixer as a pre (i know, i know, that's probably the most amateur setup anyone on here has probably seen). I do have a few other mics, none of which are any good, but it doesnt matter what setup i use, im getting a really bad pick scrape sound on the guitars, for the most part. what could i do to eliminate this, and do you guys have any suggestions as to how to improve the setup overall (funds are severely limited). Thanks to all replies beforehand.
 
do you mean when a pick scrape is intentionally performed, it sounds bad, or it sounds like the pick is scraping(unintentional).?
 
Start by not blaming the portastudio set up.
It can be good gear & produce good work.
Give a bit more detail about a) the prob &
b) how you've been setting up
so that folk can comment properly.
Cheers
rayC
 
rayc said:
Start by not blaming the portastudio set up.
It can be good gear & produce good work.

rayC
Click to expand...


yeah...I record with a 424 mkIII, and use a 57 extensively; and I have the best sounding recordings in this community. :cool:
 
well the problem is that the guitar tones are really tinny sounding, and the sound of the pick scrape when im just strumming normally is very pronounced and distracting. i have messed with the levels on the PS and the mackie mixer, and am just wondering if maybe the mackie is a bad preamp for the 57. actually it seems now that im getting into microphone stuff; i thought id see if you analog folks could help me though. thanks.
 
Why not keep it simple and try the pre-amp on the Portastudio first to hear how that sounds, then move on to trying to improve it using outboard equipment?

-MD
 
Dingoman53084 said:
Acoustic guitar.
Click to expand...
Well, i'm no 'specialist'. In general way too many factors do contribute to the end result you get recorded on tape. Really hard to say from your "problem description". Recording acoustic guitar with one sm57 is possible but it is hard (if possible at all) to match the 'expectation' comparing your recorded takes with what you were hearing while playing. Trying condenser microphone (or pair of mics) would be the first thing to do... As for your 'pick sound' .... you may try to place you mic differently, away from where you pick, or experiment with your picking technique (if there's such thing... it must be ;)) or try different picks... "blaming" preamp would be not the first thing on my list.
some links for general info if you need:
RECORDING ACOUSTIC GUITAR (sos)
How to Mic Six-Strings Like a Pro ... that's especially if "PRO" means a load of sh*t for you :D ;) :p :)
How to Record An Acoustic Guitar at guitarist.net
etc... bunch of stuff has been written. Don't take every word there as a gospel scripture... ;)

/respects
 
I agree with Zee. Especially since it is a Mackie preamp. The upper level Mackie pres are very good, and I hear the new ONYX series are as well. I know the "tinny" sound you are talking about, and with some of the budget model cassette portastudios I used to get that sound as well. Which Portastudio do you have and what model Mackie do you have?
The pick sound seems like a micing problem. Either that or maybe you are hitting the strings at too hard of an angle or using too soft of a pick (the latter would produce a "click" sound during strumming and could be caught by the mic).
 
I'd say first make sure you're not using an old pick.

The Mackie pres are fine for what you're doing.


You'll be much happier with the results you get from using condenser mics. You can get a matched pair of Behringer C2 small diaphram condensers used for about $55-$60 (shipping included). For acoustic guitar, those would be a massive improvement over a 57, IMO.

57s are great for guitar amps, but not so great for what you're trying to do.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm learning a lot. I am using a portastudio mf-p01, the cheapest one of the lot I believe, and a Mackie 1202 VLZ pro model mixer.
 
This is good info for stereo miking. But the off axis principles may be used for the 57 also. The first things I would do is use a heavy pick and keep playing around with mic placement. Just my $.02
 
themaddog said:
Why not keep it simple and try the pre-amp on the Portastudio first to hear how that sounds, then move on to trying to improve it using outboard equipment?

-MD
Click to expand...

Totally agree--its a portastudio and has a built in preamp and mixer. Also, what kind of amp are you using and maybe check those settings for the tinnyness. I have use the same gear minus the makie and gotten great results. i like the guitar thick too. Just keep trying. move the mike closer to the speaker. I'd try to get the sound you want using the least amout of gear. Hell, try the guitar direct in and double it. Just realized your using an acoustic. MIC PLACEMENT. Just experiment. Good luck.
 
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