what effect does baffling have?

[ralf]

i was doing some recording today with my brother and his guitar was sounding a little more treble-y than it usual does (fender strat with dimarzio tone zone through marshall jcm800 to sm57 to yamaha md8) and he said "probably cause we didn't baffle it as good as we usually do" which i think we did (a couple couch cushions and comforter). and i said "i don't think that should really affect that aspect of the guitar sound especially that much" and he said "yes it does" and i said "i'm going to see what the HomeRecording guys have to say about this, so tell me,
*does baffling have a major effect on the amount of bass or treble on a close mic'd guitar cabinet??
-thanks for your help fellas
-ralf

 

[mixsit]

On a close mic set up, not much, but putting a lot of pads around it would deaden it compared to it beign open. Have you tried moving the mic a few inches on or off center of the speaker? That's a huge change.

 

[Dom Franco]

This baffles me!

Baffles are most often used to keep one instrument from bleeding into another instrument's microphone during a "live" recording where two or more parts are being played in the same room.

Baffles are also used to make a "dead" space in an otherwise "Live" (Reflective) room. Without baffles the microphone will pick up some room sound even when close miked, but it is not usually a problem when the source is fairly loud. Like a Guitar amp!


Dom

 

[Gabriel]

OMG ... Baffling has a DEFINITE effect on recording guitar cabs!!! If done right, you essentially eliminate reflections that can cause a certain degree of phase cancellation before it hits the mic. Baffling makes for a tighter, more controlled sound. And, if you ask me, you get a more accurate representation of what the cabinet sounds like.

Especially for the dry guitar sound found in many breeds of metal (although that sound is on it's way out), recording with major baffling or in a tight little room or booth is the way to go. In fact, I'd rather record any guitar very dry and tight out of the cab, then add spatial effects et al at the board (for monitoring and mixdown ONLY - track it dry!!)

Many guitar players will be taken aback by that, and some just don't let me do it that way. Not because it doesn't sound good, but because the concept is odd, and recording completely dry spotlights EVERY mistake (until you get the proper effects applied). So be warned.

I know, I'm weird. I do what sounds good to me, that's all. If it sounds right ... It IS right.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Gabe:

That question has always BAFFLED me.

[I couldn't resist.]

Green Hornet