Recording Acoustic Guitar.

[ShanPeyton]

Here are my tools.

I have a SM57, an Apex 530 some Samson R11's and an acoustic with pickups. My room is about 10 x 10 not a lot of treatment and sadly metal closet sliding doors on one side and on the opposite side i have some pretty big windows that go to the outside. (For anyone that cares to remember i did have access to a great space at my office but have opted out due to the the set-up take down time I may reconsider, but chances are probably not) I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (that i am pretty happy with thus far) two inputs that i would like to make use of.

What i would like from the other HR'ers is what they might do to record an acoustic track with what i have to work with? I may even record some mandolin with the same set up.

The last few attempts i have just plugged the guitar right into an audio device. The results were as expected. This time though i'd like to really make a bit of an effort if possible on this track.

In regards to the room, how much of a difference would it make to the sound if i put some blankets or something in front of the windows and metal closet doors if i mic this thing? Any? Minimal?

Any and all guidance is welcomed.

 

[witzendoz]

My first choice from the mic list would be the Apex 530.

If the closet is full of clothes, open the doors when recording and sit with your back to the open closet. If the windows have curtains close them.

10 x 10 is not ideal but we have to work with what we have.

Alan.

 

[mjbphotos]

Use the Apex and record the pickup onto a separate track, you may find having some of it's high end useful in the mix. Use the high-pass filter on the Apex. Due to the boxiness of the room, the mic could pickup the sound of the room pretty easily. I'd be looking at dynamic mics like the Shure SM57 as a solution - less room sound being picked up. That's I've found to be best with a larger, less-square room with less problem surfaces. (actually I use 2 SM57 clones PLUS the pickup)

 

[ShanPeyton]

Use the Apex and record the pickup onto a separate track, you may find having some of it's high end useful in the mix. Use the high-pass filter on the Apex.

Awesome. thanks guys. This is exactly what i was thinking. So i am on the right track. I will also be looking for a way to tackle the room issues. The closet doors do open up and there is a large amount of clothes in there and other stuff. I may just pick up a cheap really heavy quilt or something to throw up over the windows.

Great Again! Thanks!!