Why does it sound like a tin can, or alternatively, Where is the base?

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om42

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Newbie of Course. I have been playing around with a Rode NT1a, Stienberg CI1 and Audacity. I have a couple different acoustic guitars that I have been trying to record. I have tried 6 or 7 different mic placement experiments including moving the whole shebang into a cluttered closet that should have very poor reflection, but my recordings always seen to sound like I am playing in a tin can with very poor base response. I have a decent set of Headphones that work well with MP3's and Flac files , so I assume it is not the playback.

The recordings sound like there is some crappy reverb effects and tinny or sharp with little of the warmth that I hear live.

The demos I hear of the NT1a sound very realistic and I am quite disappointed with my efforts to match the quality that I feel I should. I do realize the room will play a big part but after some mild experimentation I think I should be hearing some differences resulting from moving the mic around or at least changing locations. Thoughts?
 
Well, starting with the simplest thing first, are you sure you have the proper side of the mic pointing at your guitar? The NT1A is a cardioid (directional) mic and only pics up properly on one side (which is not all that clearly marked). If you have it wrong, you'll be miking the room reflections.
 
On that note, another simple thing to check would be the input in Audacity. Make sure you are recording with your CI1 and not the internal mic in your computer (if your computer has one).
 
I have a Rode NT2000 and of all the mics I have, it is by far the brightest and sometimes I have to turn down the highs or my teeth are just zinging ! Maybe it's a Rode thaing.
 
Thanks for the responses. I have the small gold dot on the NT1a facing the direction of the guitar as per the DVD that came with it. I also had a old cheap Sennhauser PA mic that I was trying out early on as well and it was not nearly as responsive (i think hot is the term), so I stopped using it; however, the experiment made it pretty clear that it was going through the CI1.

I am very surprised that even with reasonably decent gear, that what I can only assume is a crappy room, would make that much of a difference. The guitars sound amazing in real life while I was recording them so I am befuddled as to why there is such a big discrepancy what went into the DAW.

Rod in Sunny Alberta
 
Check the Steinberg CI1 and be sure the phantom power button is on.

Then be sure the mic cord is good.

Set you DAW to record a flat signal, meaning no eq adjustments, compression or anything else.

Let it capture the sound without imparting any artifacts.

Sit close the the mic, not feet away and the proximity effect should be enough to get the BASS.

What acoustic guitar are you recording?
 
Here is an example of proximity effect. I just now recorded this into Audacity.

Nothing but mics and a guitar. Stereo recording - one Studio Projects C1 and an AKG 4033 thru Propellerhead Balance interface recorded at 24 bit 96Khz and converted to mp3 with dbPowerAmp

Notice how the bass comes and goes. I simply rolled away in my chair from and then back to the mics.

The guitar is a Martin SWDGT
 

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Bobbsy said:
Well, starting with the simplest thing first, are you sure you have the proper side of the mic pointing at your guitar? The NT1A is a cardioid (directional) mic and only pics up properly on one side (which is not all that clearly marked). If you have it wrong, you'll be miking the room reflections.
Click to expand...

This would have been my first check. It seems the OP is ok with this.

The tinny sound therefore now suggests to me a feedback loop. Maybe the OP is recording the guitar and is recording also the monitoring of the guitar.
 
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