Acoustic guitar recording

Ant1981 · #1 04-12-2006, 12:48 PM

How do you guys record acoustic guitar?

I have a washburn which has a battery powered preamp on it with an XLR and jack out. For some reason only the jack out works, but I got my best results with the jack out plugged into a mic preamp on my motu.

Plugged jack into the mic pre gave better results than plugging into a line in and also better results than having the guitar mic'd up with an SM57 plugged into a mic pre.

bduersch · #2 04-12-2006, 02:34 PM

I, in the classic "go big or go home" tradition, typically record acoustics as follows...

I use a pair of Studio Projects C4 condensers in an "V" pattern, one pointing towards the body of the guitar, one pointing towards the neck. Then I run a 1/4" from the guitar's pickup through a tube preamp as well, resulting in 3 guitar tracks.

Similar to the technique I use for recording electric amps/cabs, I like this because it allows me to mix, blend, pan the 3 tracks to achieve the tone I want instead of relying heavily upon EQ. Overkill? Probably!

You probably get best results using the preamp on the motu because the acoustic is most likely sending instrument level than line level... no guarantees, just a hunch. While I'm sure an SM57 technically works for acoustics, I've had the best luck using condenser mics, which are a lot more sensitive for lower-volume acoustic playing. The good news is that even a cheap condenser can make a big difference... I did a lot of acoustic recording with CAD GXL1200's and a Nady SCM900 (both are less than $50) before I got the Studio Projects mics, and generally got some good results.

--B

Ant1981 · #3 04-12-2006, 02:48 PM

Cool, I'll look out for those condensors then if they are cheap enough.

The acoustic just seemed a bit quiet and distant with the SM57, the gain level couldnt go higher otherwise it would distort, and the guitar (body acoustic hole part) was merely a few inches away from the mic.

Will I get this problem do you think with an SM57 infront of a 4x12? Didn't seem to have any probs even using a 57 or 58 for vocals.

Oh and BTW bduersch, do you know why cubase has three mixers? And do you know any cool rock drum loops I can get hold of?

Thanks

Ant1981 · #4 04-15-2006, 02:04 PM

I actually got better results by backing the mic off, 6" inches away, opened the sound up more.

Ibanut · #5 04-16-2006, 11:55 PM

The 57 wont work. Its a dynamic mic and the acoustic guitar isnt a dynamic type instrument. There are too many ways to list but in your situation I'd do like the other guy said. Use the XLR out to a DI box. (look for an active or tube DI) to the pre amp. If you can get a pair of Audio Technica 4033 condenser mics you will get a great acoustic sound. Try recording the acoustic parts in the bathroom if you have a bathroom thats very reverberant. Its great for mixing with 3 acoustic tracks.

Ant1981 · #6 04-17-2006, 10:33 AM

Whats the point of a DI box when the output on the acoustic is preamped?

As I said before, only the line out works, not the XLR, for some unknown reason.

I'll look those mics up that you reccomend, on the other hand, what are shure condensors like?

rty13ibz98 · #7 04-17-2006, 02:57 PM

i use an older washburn ea-20 for most of my acoustic recording. i typically run the equis 2 preamp into a behringer DI, right into the board. great results. a bit tinny, but sonar tames it. this is strictly for demo work. i sometimes use my lr baggs piezo electrics for DI'ing when i need to be quiet. works great, too. i usually use acoustics blended with electrics, so i don't concentrate on the strength of the acoustic tone as much, its more for attack. but a nice condensor with the piezo will allow for some great blended tones as well.

rich

Ant1981 · #8 04-17-2006, 04:56 PM

So should my XLR not be going straight into my interface then? It didnt sound bad at all when it was jacked into the interface.

Ant1981 · #9 04-18-2006, 09:29 PM

I seemed to have exhausted the brains of some of you out there, recording seems to be the most difficult subject so far.

But however, here's another one, seeing as people seem to love two condensers on an acoustic.

Are the Shure PG81's any good for acoustic guitar recording? I've seen some £15 cheaper than anywhere else.

I know people say to use a pair for recording acoustic, are these a good bet?

rty13ibz98 · #10 04-19-2006, 11:45 AM

most people who mic acoustics will put 2 condensors on it. by the soundhole and then by the fretboard. they will blend the 2. dual source is typically preffered when trying to get the best natural acoustic sound to recordings. since i don't need a super awesome acoustic tone, i usually just DI with a box. i don't like to shoot straight into the board with the line out of my guitar's preamp, i like the security of having my DI "fix" the signal before it hits the board/recording pre's. the bad thing for me personally is that my main acoustic with the best preamp is my ea-20. it is a thinline with cutaway. has really good tone, just not really full. really focused mids, being all mahogany. i would have to mic it with 2 mics and use the piezo to really build up that one's tone. my beater acoustic is a heavily modded fender dg-7. which i have changed all the plastic parts to tusq and brass pins. it has an active dean markley barstow piezo in it and sounds really good. that is a great recording guitar. with a condensor picks up the warm lows and spongy mids. with the piezo, is more tinny, but with sweet high mids. really great axe to track with.

bottom line, though. if it sounds good, what is wrong? if you like it, keep on trucking with what you got. experiment, yes, but don't feel bad if your not doing something "by the book". sometimes, depending on our resources, we all have to "make it work".

rich