Stupid question

[Newbie™]

I record mostly acoustic guitar stuff and was wondering something and it's probably a stupid question but gotta start somewhere I guess...

My mic stand is too high. I record sitting down. I can't get the mic pointed (straight) at the guitar so I have to aim it slightly down. It is an SDC/omni mic. Will this effect the sound? Should I get a shorter mic stand (which I'll probably do anyway) so I can point the tip of the mic straight at the guitar?

The tip of the mic doesn't have one of those grills on it. It's a pencil condenser type and just has a black little thing on the tip.

 

[zed32]

you can just get a boom arm if you don't really need a whole other stand. that way you can just tilt the boom section down for recording your guitar parts, and then tilt it back up to record vocals or what not.


as far as the mic pointing... since it's an omni, i'm not sure, but i don't think it's gonna make a huge difference if you angle the mic a little bit. but i'm no expert...

 

[Newbie™]

Thanks. I have a boom but the moron at the music shop who sold it to me didn't give me the right one for the stand. It won't fit on there. Should have taken it back but whatever. It seems like a nice boom just don't have the right stand for it. :/

So you don't think it will effect the sound much?

Anyone else have any opinions?

 

[stetto]

I've hung mics from all manner of fixture and rafter. If it's an omni, pointing straight down shouldn't too much effect. You could even drape it over the back of a chair or lay it on a couch pillow on the chair, whatever height you want...

I'm assuming that you're just not interested in running out to purchase a mic stand that'll fit your boom...

Eric

 

[cusebassman]

If you are curious how the angle affects the sound, do a quick standing test - stand with the guitar, and get the mic up to the point that it is straight-on with the guitar (or however you want to be recording with it). Then compare with the recording of you sitting, with the mic angled.

If there is a distinct difference (a better one ), then I'd say find a boom that will fit your stand, or get something like the following, which can be screwed to any pipe/poll, including your mic stand's shaft (this is all getting a little too kinky )

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-MSA9508-PosiLok-Side-Mount-Boom?sku=452057

 

[scrubs]

Thanks. I have a boom but the moron at the music shop who sold it to me didn't give me the right one for the stand. It won't fit on there. Should have taken it back but whatever. It seems like a nice boom just don't have the right stand for it. :/

So you don't think it will effect the sound much?

Anyone else have any opinions?

Check to see if either your boom or stand has an adapter screwed onto it, making them not fit together. There are two standard thread sizes (smaller=European; larger=American) and, often, an adapter is included to make it either smaller or larger. The adapter can be removed with a coin.

 

[XLR]

My mic stand is too high... I can't get the mic pointed (straight) at the guitar so I have to aim it slightly down. It is an SDC/omni mic. Will this effect the sound?

All the omnis I've used sound different when on or off axis. Omnis are directional in their high frequency pickup, so pointing one off axis tends to reduce the highs. Also many mikes, including some small diaphragm mikes, sound phasey off axis. Personally, I end up positioning mikes lower than the gtr more often than higher. I have a couple very short mike stands with telescopic booms, and they're always in use.

 

[TheHunter]

use a high chair or a stool

 

[Newbie™]

Thanks for all the replies. I really need to get a shorter stand. My computer chair only goes so high. I do notice a "boxy" or phasey/hollow kind of sound like Timothy said, that's why I was asking. It does seem better when playing standing up but I'm not as good playing standing up (don't have a strap or a place for a strap on my acoustic).

Can anyone recommend a good mic stand? I bought a Peavy and it seems indestructible but it's not the right height and for some odd reason, the music shop near here doesn't have any short mic stands.

And I also feel I would get a better deal online; Musicians Friend, ZZounds, etc.?

I don't plan on throwing it around so I don't really care what it's made of, just something not too expensive, has a boom, and is short enough to record while sitting?

Thanks again.

 

[cusebassman]

Well, anything that comes with a boom will probably work fine. You could also go back to the store you bought the boom at and see if they sell a straight mic stand that accepts the thread sixe of the socket on the arm.

As for stands with booms that are half-height for recording sitting down, Ive never seen such a thing... I just use the boom and angle it far enough down to reach.

 

[hairylarry]

mic position

Hi,

I record a lot of acoustic guitar and the mic position makes a big difference. Here are some things I have tried with good success.

Mic over my right shoulder pointing down at the guitar about 18 inches above the guitar.

Mic on a very low stand about a foot off the floor pointing straight up at the guitar or in front of the guitar.

Mic about three feet away in front of the guitar pointing striaght at the performer. This and anything further would be considered far field and generally reflects what an audience hears when you play.

Mic six inches from the strings pointing at the twelfth fret. This is the octave point and is the exact middle of the strings. This is also the strings most energetic point.

Same as above with the mic angled towards the body of the guitar.

Mic 6 - 12 inches from the guitar pointing at the wood behind the bridge.

When a mic is close to the instrument it is called near field. By moving the mic around in the near field you can get dramatically different sounds. More or less bass, string noise, pick noise, etc. I prefer omnis in the near field.

I find a boom stand essential for easy mic placement. That said I have often laid mics on pillows or beanbags trying to keep the head of the mic in open air.

I would take the boom and the stand to the music store and see if they can help you with it. I've never heard of a boom that won't fit a stand but I guess it might happen. By taking them both in you maximize your chances that they will be able to help you. You might just need a $1 adapter.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry

 

[mshilarious]

Tama makes an excellent half-height boom stand.