Recording acoustic guitar

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DaveO

DaveO

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I'm interested in getting better results when I record my acoustic. So far I've tried my SM57 and SM58 at both the sound hole and the 12th fret and still can't get anything close t the real sound of the guitar - it always sounds muddy. I assume I'd get best results with a good condenser mic but a) I'd rather not spend several hundred dollars and b) I record in the basement and would probably pick up a lot of normal house noises. I'm also considering an in-hole acoustic pickup but need something that a) gives the sound of an acoustic when I record and b) is easily inserted and removed (don't want a permanent guitar mod). I'm considering a Shure BG4.1 or BG 5.1 or an AKG C1000 and am just starting to look at pickup reviews. Any recommendations for either low-cost condenser mics (I only have 1/4 inch inputs on my effects pedal and 4-track so I guess I'd also need an impedance adapter?) or for a pickup that mathes my needs?? Also, are there any other tradeoffs between a mic and a pickup, besides those I already mentioned?
 
A c1000s will make a little difference but try experimenting. Try recording using a mic and a pickup. The mic will pick up the nautural sound of the guiitar and the pickup will prob. add some bite. Try and let me know how it works. I don't know if it will; I've never tried it my self.

Adam.
 
A c1000s will make a little difference but try experimenting. Try recording using a mic and a pickup. The mic will pick up the nautural sound of the guiitar and the pickup will prob. add some bite. Try and let me know how it works. I don't know if it will; I've never tried it my self.

Adam.
 
I've gotten some beautiful sounding acoustic guitar stereo recordings with two AKG C1000s (the older models). But better yet, go for an Oktava MC012 for $269US or an Oktava MC319 for $279US (from The Sound Room only). www.oktava.com

Of course, I didn't know what I was missing until I bought a matched-pair of Neumann TLM-103s. Of course I didn't know what I was missing until I bought a decent pre. I'd forget the BG4 or 5 .1s

Also, listen to Fender. I have tried it myself in many combos, but really only like it in live situations.
 
Hey Dave, try this.... You can purchase a Dean Markley acoustic pick-up that sets into the soundhole of your guitar in about 2 seconds, and is just as easily removed. Plug into one track with that, and then mic the guitar the way you normally would with the Shure, and then go into a second track. Make sure you get the levels even on both tracks. After you've recorded the guitar part on the two tracks, pan them in the opposite direction of eachother. The amount you pan is up to you - whatever sounds the best. With the right E.Q. and a bit of (optional) reverb, the results you get will astound you. The Dean Markley pick-up is reasonably priced at the $40 to $50 range. Using this technique will give the acoustic the widest range of sound - with the sweetest and richest tones.
 
Worth a shot...
Try using 2 mic's crossing each other, one pointing at the soundhole(at an angle) and the other pointing up the neck. This often helps me shape the sound of the guitar in the mix(recording to 2 tracks) and it always helps is you can add a third(direct out from the guitar) but sometimes that isn't an option :)
 
Dave,

I have had pretty good lcuk recording acoustic guitars with an SM-58 and an SM-57. I am running both mics into a mackie mixer and then into my computer. I can't remember exactly how I did it but I think this is it. I placed the SM-57 about six inches away for the 12th fret and pointed it about 30 degrees off of perpendicular to the fretboard. Pointed toward the bridge. I then took the SM-58 and placed it about a foot higher than the SM-57 and about four feet away from the guitar. I placed the SM-58 paralell with the bridge and about 30 degrees from perpendicular to the guitar and pointing toward the nut. The sound isn't the greatest immediately but when I panned one mic about 75% left and the other about 75% right I got a great sound. This technique worked well with Martins as well as National resophonic guitars. From my experience I would NOT recommend the Dean Markley pickup. The midrange quacks like a duck. At least it does for me. Hopefully this makes sense if not let me know and I will try to explain it again. If you want to some MP3's of songs I recorded with this technique let me know and I will send you the URL.

Doug
dougschmude@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by dougschmude (edited 12-21-1999).]
 
In my mind the C1000 is a great mic for guitar. I usually use two channels for acoustic guitar, one direct from a built-in pickup and one from the C1000. Depending on the sound I want I move the mic around (12th fret for mellow, bridge for nasty string noise, etc.) but I'm pretty consistently 6 inches or so away from the guitar.

Then I vary the balance between the two and add effects in the mix. I've been happy with it so far, so I guess it doesn't suck ...

BillS
 
You can get some intresting sounds for not much money from a simple Dean Markly acoustic tracducer pickup (about 35$) you just stick it on the body of the guitar. usually near the bridge, but you can try other places too to get some sound you usually wouldnt hear (my favorite is the head stock, some wierd stuff going on up there)I blend this in with the direct line from the guitar through an acoustic pre amp. I also set up twoo mics (SM-57's) one pointed below the sound hole from about 6 inches and one about a foot away pointed at about the twelth fret. I'll route the tracsducer and the soundhole mic to one track and the direct line and the farther away mic to another, mixing them so that the volume is about equal between the tracks, but letting the mics tacke presedent over the dirct signals on the individual tracks. the trasducer just gives me a little more midrange which put the guitar a little more up front, (don't mix it in too much it sounds horrible by itself)
 
One other thing--eq can make a huge difference--a little boost at the high end can add put a smile on your face. I've had great success with the C1000S by the way--a good, low cost condenser mic that works very nicely on acoustic guitar. If you compare with the 57 or 58 you'll be pleasantly surprised.
 
I really like my C1000(s) too, but since the Oktava MC012 from The Sound Room came out... If you compare the C1000s to the MC012, you'll be "presently surprised" with the MC012 over the C1000s.
 
If you are stuck with the mics you have now, try to Eq by cutting lows below 150Hz and boost a little bit at 12kHz.
If your guitar is muddy try to cut the low mids ( between 200-500Hz.

If you play with a thin pick, You will get a clearer sound
( but more of the pick sound as well).
 
CJ,

Actually, I just got an AT 4033/SM and and ART Tube MP about a week ago. Unfortunatley I haven't had much of a chance to play with them yet.

Shailat,
The best I can really do is turn on the low cut on the new mic (I think it was 80 Hz), but like I said above, I really haven't done much with the new gear yet. I don't have EQ other than Hi/Lo on my four track and Hi/Mid/Lo on my guitar effects pedal. I'll have to keep tweaking. There's got to be a good setting in there somwhere.
 
Use the bass roll off on your mic that will help.
I have 2 more suggestions.
1. If you move your mic away about 1-2 feet you'll help kill some of the lows on your sound and so it won't be so boomy.

2.New strings add clarity and high Freq. Old strings have a dull and muffled sound. If you use a light-gauge strings you'll also have more highs and less bass
 
I have had 15 years of decent sound from the Dean Markley Pro mag in my 12 string. Picks up very clearly for the 30-40 bucks it is. Slips in and out without scratching the guitar. I have used mics but I always seem to wander from them or pop into them. And I am blown away by the sound of these pricey Elixer strings.
 
Ewwww! Elixer strings sound like rubber bands to me.
 
I to am a basment player. if you take advantage of your settings your problem will be solved.
Try one mic at soundhole and one a few feet away(depending on the echo facter of the room).
If your working with 16 tracks dont be hasty, use 3 tracks(pickup, soundhole mic, and room mic).
If only 4 tracks, then do the same and mix down to 1 or 2 tracks. Sounds like alout of time, but time allways pays off.
 
I find that using more then 1 mic might cause problimatic phase interaction. not to mention problems when heard in a mono situation
 
What kind of guitar are you playing? The sound you put in to a mic is just as important as the mic itself. I picked up a CAD Equitek for $225 with all the mounting goodies and have had great luck with the acoustic. Bass roll-off is effective and the Freq. response is solid.
 
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