Two Mics One Acoustic (big baby taylor)...

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Robertt8

Robertt8

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Hey folks...I was just wondering what you guys have gotten nice fat stereo sounds with two mics and one acoustic guitar. I've got a Big Baby Taylor a Studio Projects B3 and a C1 is on back order. I've also got a SM58 and an MXL990. I haven't screwed around much with the stereo mic-ing (usually opting for two separate guitar parts, one in each speaker), but sometimes that just seems a little much.

Anyone have any good standard mic placements?

I read one column where the guy mentioned placing the mic behind the bridge...didn't seem like you'd get much sound over there...and one up by the 12th fret (which seems pretty standard)...anyhoo...(rambling)...

Thanks!
 
XY placement: both mics pointing to teh 12th fret at about 60 degrees to each other with teh capsules almost touching.

stereo mic: one pointed directly at 12th fret, one directly at bridge or just behind the bridge. 3-1 rule is important here to avoid phase cancellation: ie distance between mics must be at least 3 times as far as distance of mic to instrument.
 
I don't think the 3:1 rule applies to the XY micing configuration ?



Pier
 
Hey thanks guys...ya, that 3:1 doesn't count for the XY thing as far as I can tell...

So they Do recommend pointing one mic at or behind the bridge huh? That seems pretty far from the sound hole...now I can see one at the frets for some string/finger noise, but putting the other one that far back seems like it would be kind of dead. I guess i'll give it a shot.

Which configuration give you the most difference in sound? is there any sound byte links anywhere that may illustrate the different stereo sounds by arranging the mics differently?

Also, if you're just doing simple quick strumming, is there much point in doing the stereo thing, or is that best for intricate guitar parts?
 
that is right, the 3:1 doesn't apply to XY, that is why I only mentioned it in the stereo micing section. ;)
 
Robertt8 said:
Hey thanks guys...ya, that 3:1 doesn't count for the XY thing as far as I can tell...

So they Do recommend pointing one mic at or behind the bridge huh? That seems pretty far from the sound hole...now I can see one at the frets for some string/finger noise, but putting the other one that far back seems like it would be kind of dead. I guess i'll give it a shot.

Which configuration give you the most difference in sound? is there any sound byte links anywhere that may illustrate the different stereo sounds by arranging the mics differently?

Also, if you're just doing simple quick strumming, is there much point in doing the stereo thing, or is that best for intricate guitar parts?
Click to expand...

just experiment, and decide which sound combination you like best. Actually teh mic at the 12th fret isn't there specifically to get finger noise: it picks up the high end really nicely, the one at or behind the bridge (your preference here) will get the low end. In my limited experience, and what I have read, DO NOT point a mic at the sound hole: that is how you record really boomy acoustic guitar (and I do mean boomy, but this may also vary by mic) . Don't forget it is the top of the guitar that makes the noise.

Stereo micing will almost always sound better than single micing: they are picking up different tonal qualities and the blend of the two in teh final mix gives you better depth of sound, even when strumming. Just try it: get your headphones on, and try two mics (pan them left and right all the way) in the 12-bridge configuration, and then alternate listening to each mic placement on its own (pan it center), and I guarantee you will hear the difference and be impressed. Then, try putting the mic in front of the soundhole, and hear that "boom"....you won't ever do it again.
 
Cstockdale: Thanks for the input! I'll screw with it this weekend...as for micing at the sound hole, I've noticed in the past that it's WAY too boomy, It' s just that back by the bridge just seem SO far back. I've been pointing the mic somewhere near the 12th fret with mono micing. I'll try it. I'm kind of excited now to see what comes up.

Jdier: Ya, I figured this was a topic covered many times but I turned up little on the search. Thanks for the link...I've kind of been avoiding that freakin' thing 615 responses!!! Good lord! It just seemed too damn overwhelming!

Thanks guys!
 
yeah, I like the way the Big Baby records...not too boomy and not too weak. So far I've found it nice to record with. It's a lot more forgiving with the mic placement.

By the way, I did some recording with a mic at the bridge and one by the 10 fret or so. I really got to see how crappy that MXL990 is (again). I had my B1 down by the bridge, that sounds nice and full. The 990 by the frets sounds like a tin can. I've noticed it before, but I haven't used it in months. Piece 'o shit. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my Studio Projects C1 to roll in...then maybe this stereo micing thing will sound better. Don't get me wrong, it really gives it a "full" sound...almost too full in some cases, but with one good mic and one crap mic, it kind of brings the sound down of the good one.
 
I use a Shure sm58 pointed at the sound hole and another one pointed at a fret to catch finger noise. (the fret mic can be moved to accent a particular harmonic)

There are better ways , but i have cheap mics and it works best

jeepboy4wd
 
I have two Studio Projects C-1's and I I tried using them in an XY and I just couldn't seem to catch the intimacy of the acoustic that I was looking for (acoustic oriented song), so after playing around I found that the 12th fret / bridge approach worked well although I have a Tacoma acoustic/electric so the soundhole is offplaced from a traditional guitar. I found the bridge mic sounded better being pointed more towards the soundhold than the bridge, but not exactly at the soundhole.

Key is to not be under any pressure and just place mics in different configurations and audition the tracks. I tried about 6 different mic positions before settling on the one I went with.
 
hi, i'm new.

just want to add something if it hasn't been said before.

delay one of the signals 30ms after the other and it will sound excellent.
 
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