Record an acoustic

  • Thread starter Thread starter monty1
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monty1

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For you pros out there !

I am recording a Guild JF 30 archback
This guitar has quite a bit of bass to it.

At what distance should I place the microphone (Shure SM58) in front of the strings?

Do I need a pick-up on this guitar and record via an amplifier?

Help!
 
use the search function.
you'll find a LOT of info on acoustic miking.
 
What other equipment do you have? A 58 is nice for some things, but micing an acoustic is not one of them. Condensers are the place to be.
FYI, you really should use the search function. The "Pros" are busy answering questions that haven't been answered before. Actually, a few of them will probably be along shortly to tell you you are a fag and to use the search function. I am obviously not a pro, because pros donate their time freely to people who ask questions like "what time is it?" but they don't really want to look at their own watch. :rolleyes:

Pete
 
i'm certainly not a pro, though i do know the answer to your question. a bunch of other people would have replied in the same way i did, IF they had bothered to. i was the only one who cared to give you such basic advice. if you keep posting stuff without searching first, you'll get a lot of replies like that again and again. but don't take my word for it, newbie.
 
You say that this question has been answered before.
I beg to differ. I am sure that my circumstances are different than the other strings I am finding out there. Belive me please I have been looking for the answer to this.
You (battleminnow) are headed in the right direction for me.
Those are the things that I need to know. That the 58 is not the best. Go for a condenser mic. I will search for fine details later. but in the meantime, basic , helpful information is all I am after.
Most people out there are getting too technical and often have something to say that offends the original poser.
I don't do this to piss in anyone's pool or to "take valuable time from anyone" I am struggling, probably just like you and am asking for help. NOT to be called names or have a pissing contest with anyone.
 
maybe this will help-
the sm58 is definitely not a good mic to record acoustic guitar.
is it your only option? can you get (buy/borrow) a condenser mic?
what are you plugging the mic into? do you have a mixer or is it just a preamp or channel strip?
if you have a mixer/preamp with phantom power, you can definitely use a condenser mic, and the results will be MUCH better. the cheapest one around (and a good one too) is the behringer ecm8000 for $36 a pop. for the price of a new sm58, you can get two ecm8000's and do a stereo recording of your acoustic.
if you don't have any other options, my advice would be to aim it roughly at the point where the guitar's arm meets the body. play with that to get the best sound. don't aim the mic at the soundhole. you'll get a very boomy sound. as for the distance, 5" is a good start.
 
Postalblue..........outstanding !!!!
This is what I was looking for.
You have helped me more than you know.
My apologies for stepping out of bounds!

Add yourself to the pro list !!!
 
Add yourself to the pro list !!!

i will when i learn a lot more, and especially when i get to make any money out of this.
 
Father Time..

You have some listening to do... go to the clinic... You owe me and Track Rat a listen! ;)
 
Would someone explain what all this is about? Mister QCue?
 
cominginsecond said:
Would someone explain what all this is about? Mister QCue?
Click to expand...

It's the dubious return of a total @ss-hole who has been BANNED from this site by the owner,Dragonian David Fielder,
for constant personal spamming beyond any and all acceptable levels,dis-respect, totally obnoxious,etc,etc,etc. The ABSOLUTE
WORST & worthless web individual who ranks on the same level as Osama, AIDS, diarrhea,poverty,homelessness, toe-jammy and
Behringer Mixers!:mad:
His only purpose on the WWW is to suck in unsuspecting individuals to listen to his wack-@ss music and to become 1 of
his inane followers!:mad:
 
I agree with postalblue
The 58 is not very good for the acoustic.
Go with a condenser mic.

Aim that mic towards the guitar yet at enough distance to allow the sound to "spread".
DON'T AIM AT THE S-HOLE!!!
Especially on thos jumbo guits. The bass to those is already loud. If you are too close to it, you will distort.
What are the acoustics like in your recording studio (room)?
Cement floors will reverberate. They will not absorb or attract the sound.
Finally, record at a low volume. This acoustic will distort easily.
You can boost the volume at mixdown.
 
yeah, don't aim it at the s-hole?! unless you're recording farts. ;)
 
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