Where best to sit when recording acoustic guitar?

[Armistice]

Bearing in mind that I'm talking about my lounge room, my two options are to either slouch in the couch or sit on a wooden chair - in both cases I have a plaster wall behind me. I'm miking a steel string acoustic with NT5s and MXL603s - should what I'm sitting on be a consideration, all other things being equal - I mean, it's a big couch, lots of padding etc - don't know if that's better or worse, sonically.

Or should I pull either the couch or the chair out from the wall a bit? I have a carpeted floor.

Any advice?

Cheers

 

[Bob Keelan]

I'd probably choose the chair. Check out the tip about half way down in this document about sticking a hardboard under the guitar player.

http://web.archive.org/web/20021203005257/www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/may02/articles/maximisingaudio.asp

 

[nessbass]

I'd also say chair. Preferrably in the middle of the room, on a reflective surface (e.g. wood, see link above).

David

 

[tdukex]

Why don't you just try them both. I sometimes sit on a padded couch against a wall in a tiled room. The couch is a natural bass trap and also absorbs early reflections so I don't get any nasties coming from behind me. The chair in the middle of the room idea is good as well, depending on the room and mic placement. The wood under the player idea, in my experience, is best for deader rooms. If you already have a fairly live room it can make the guitar sound overly bright and brittle. Since you have a carpeted floor it may help if the guitar sounds dull.

It's best to just experiment. You may like different setups for different songs.

 

[statecap]

I would say to play the way in which you are more comfortable. If laying flat on your back gives you the feel you are searching for don't fight it. As tdukex says, experiment til you find what's right for you.
I know a guy who can't play the way he likes unless he is sitting erect on a backless padded stool with his feet slightly elevated.


Good luck

Denver

 

[memriloc]

Best place to sit is on your arse





















Sorry

 

[meriphew]

Go down to Home Depot and buy some of those wood floor panels (enough for about 6x6 area) that you can temporarily put on the floor while you're recording.

________________
Post indie electronic
Meriphew
www.meriphew.com

 

[Armistice]

Thanks memriloc, now I know what I've been doing wrong... bloody Australians...

 

[tdukex]

Bob Keelan already suggested wood under the player in the second post to this thread.

 

[meriphew]

Bob Keelan already suggested wood under the player in the second post to this thread.

I have a bad habit of not always reading every post. Oh well - it adds to the post count.

________________
Post indie electronic
Meriphew
www.meriphew.com

 

[faderbug]

Best place to sit is on your arse
Sorry

or somebodies face

 

[faderbug]

this might go against all the rules but i like recording accoustic stuff in a corner (two plastered walls and carpet underneath, slanted ceiling since this is an attic) facing the opposite corner and the mike pointed towards one wall (and the instrument) parallel to the other.