silly condensor questions....

[goodbyebluesky]

I'm inexperienced to recording, and especially new to condensor microphones.
I've recorded a track with my mxl 990 (first mic) and I'm curious about a few things.
First off, how can you keep a condensor from picking up every little thing in the room other than the source?! I mean, I can hear myself BREATHING when I listen back to the track of me playing acoustic guitar! Pick noise and string squeak actually are inconsequential which suprises me..... but I shift my weight in my seat while I'm playing and I can hear that as well!
FYI I am positioning it about 14" from the guitar, keeping it lined up somewhere in between the 12th and 14th fret. Any further back and it really loses to attack so I like the proximity.
Would compression help? So far I'm tracking without it. When I get my computer based setup up and running I'll be able to apply it after-the-fact so....... yea. any other ideas?

 

[goodbyebluesky]

Oh. You can check it out here: http://www.purevolume.com/blueskyvinyl
Its not great quality. Its raw, no compression, reverb, or eq. Just a little panning.

 

[Big Kenny]

actually, doesn't sound bad! Yes it could benefit from compression and eq, but the mic position sounds right. and Yes, you will hear those noises so you have to learn how to breath and sit still and use Finger-ease etc etc etc.
You are also using a relatively noisy mic too. Sounds nice though, keep it up, you are on the right track

 

[goodbyebluesky]

actually, doesn't sound bad! Yes it could benefit from compression and eq, but the mic position sounds right. and Yes, you will hear those noises so you have to learn how to breath and sit still and use Finger-ease etc etc etc.
You are also using a relatively noisy mic too. Sounds nice though, keep it up, you are on the right track

Thanks! I can't wait to try out my V67g for acoustic. I want a 'softer' sound.

 

[goodbyebluesky]

Oh. You can check it out here: http://www.purevolume.com/blueskyvinyl
Its not great quality. Its raw, no compression, reverb, or eq. Just a little panning.

Ok, I'm uploading a higher quality mp3 now. The old one was 128 bit at 44100hz, I didn't know my mp3 ripper would convert to 256 bit at 48000.

 

[thexflamesxburn]

if you try a small diaphragm condensor you may reduce some of that noise.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I think that's incorrect. A small diaphragm mic is like that little glass peephole in your motel door. It sees big because it is small. If anything, a small diaphragm mic will pick up more ambient noise. Yo Bluesky! You have several problems, and you have to tackle them in order. First, this is really ugly, but true. If you want less ambient noise on your recording, then *make less noise*! Bet you never thought about your breathing while you were playing guitar, did you? Well now you have to, because now you want to be a recording artist, which is different than being a live musician.
On stage, you don't really play to an audience. You play to a 1" piece of gold spluttered mylar. If a mic is an audience, a studio condenser mic is a music critic. So get a chair that absolutely will not squeak or creak. Wear cloths that are absolutely silent. No swaying, no foot tapping. You have to learn to keep ahold of the emotion of a performance and *remain still*. It's a bitch, isn't it?
Yes, there are less sensitive mics, especially dynamics, but you wanted the detail that comes with sensitivity in a mic. You can actually reduce some ambient noise by using omnis. No proximity effect, so you can mic real close and turn the gain down. Next- deal with your room. Condensers are great with traffic, doorbells, Harley-Davidsons, trains, sirens, even the cat. I've got a considerable checklist of things that need to be turned off or locked up when I'm tracking. The furnace, the sump pump, the pool timer, the printer, etc. Then you turn off yourself. Don't want to record your noise? Don't make any. That's part of the job description of a studio musician.-Richie

 

[Jamous]

Sure, I hear the "fidgeting" of the performer here but I also hear an electronic hum that is not going away even if he learns how to sing and play in a coma. Also there is a very harsh "pop like" stereo switching back and forth as if something was only plugged in half way and was connecting once here and once there.

Why don't you list all the equipment used in the recording chain from the mic to the recording device itself and see if one of the experienced people here (it won't be me) can give more precise advise on the equipment chain.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Jamous has raised a second point- self noise. Ambient noise is reduced by making less noise. Self noise is reduced by using equipment and cables that don't make noise, and by proper gain staging. They are separate but related problems. The solution is basically the same- don't make noise. Then you don't have to try to remove it from recordings. If you have hum, etc., either you are using the wrong equipment, or you are using the equipment wrong.-Richie

 

[travelin travis]

Jamous has raised a second point- self noise. Ambient noise is reduced by making less noise. Self noise is reduced by using equipment and cables that don't make noise, and by proper gain staging. They are separate but related problems. The solution is basically the same- don't make noise. Then you don't have to try to remove it from recordings. If you have hum, etc., either you are using the wrong equipment, or you are using the equipment wrong.-Richie

I hear the same here. He must have updated the file after the others listened to it. What is that switching?

 

[amra]

Yea first of all, I hear that weird, awkward panning w/ a clicking sound that the others are talking about.

Secondly, I don't remember if you mentioned where you had the mic positioned, but try moving it closer to the guitar neck (experiment with different placments between the 12th fret and the neck joint area) - then you will be able to turn the gain down, and pick up less ambient/room noise and more of just your guitar.

 

[goodbyebluesky]

I hear the same here. He must have updated the file after the others listened to it. What is that switching?

I uploaded an mp3 that was converted at 44100hz and 128 bitrate first.
The second file (with the wierd popping and whatnot) was another mp3 that I converted from wav at 48000hz and 256 bitrate. I don't know why it ended up sounding like that, it was not evident in the wav or first mp3.
I have now uploaded a third mp3, it is 44100hz like the first, but at 256 bitrate and to my ears sounds like the best quality yet.

Secondly, I don't remember if you mentioned where you had the mic positioned, but try moving it closer to the guitar neck (experiment with different placments between the 12th fret and the neck joint area) - then you will be able to turn the gain down, and pick up less ambient/room noise and more of just your guitar.

It was about 14" from the guitar, facing between the 12th and 14th frets. (I would use that space to visually line the guitar up as I did each take). Won't know til I try, but positioning closer like you suggested might help. My 990 might get harsh much closer though, this was a fairly bright laminate top acoustic. I'll be able to really test it out when I get my nice acoustic back (getting a pup installed for future live use) and can use my V67.

 

[goodbyebluesky]

Sure, I hear the "fidgeting" of the performer here but I also hear an electronic hum that is not going away even if he learns how to sing and play in a coma. Also there is a very harsh "pop like" stereo switching back and forth as if something was only plugged in half way and was connecting once here and once there.

Why don't you list all the equipment used in the recording chain from the mic to the recording device itself and see if one of the experienced people here (it won't be me) can give more precise advise on the equipment chain.

acoustic guitar>
mxl 990>
20 foot mic cable I hadn't touched in 5 years til this week!!>
bellari mp105 (Gain 5 Vol 9)>
balanced xlr to 1/4" cable>
Tascam DP-01 workstation.

This entire signal chain is being replaced. I'm going to a Presonus Firebox and Cubase, with the hopes of a real tube preamp some time in the future when my skills get better and I have the $$$