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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 32
Location: Netherlands | I also put this question in Matt's section, but just in case...
I was wondering if any of you have tips for recording with my Adamas. As this guitar sounds very good also acoustically, I try to combine the piezo signal with a microphone signal. Because of phase shifts, the sound spectrum changes dramatically if you change the distance between the guitar and the microphone. This also depends on how you do the mix down at the end. All in all, it's pretty complicated!
I would like to record the acoustic sound similar to the way I hear it when I play the guitar acoustically (sweet and smooth). What should I do?
What's the best position for the microphone? Any hints on the amp settings? What about the mixdown of the two channels? Reverb? |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | There's countless ways to record an acoustic guitar. Multiple mike/pickup combinations will always introduce some degree of phase error, which becomes especially noticible when summed to mono. The key to recording acoustic guitar well is not to place the mikes too close to the guitar & stay away from the soundhole(s) Condenser mikes are a must and good mike preamps help.
I'm a big fan of recording acoustic guitar in stereo and my favourite technique is to use 2 identical hyper-cardioid condensers as a co-incident pair. Place the mikes as close together as possible but pointing in opposing directions, about 12inches from the guitar, between the bridge and soundhole as a starting point. This technique produces a very detailed stereo image, which is also phase-coherent when summed to mono. A little direct signal panned centrally & combined with the hard L&R panned mike signals works well with this technique. There's a basic explaination of coincident & other stereo miking techniques here http://www.harmony-central.com/Features/FRecAcousticGtr/002.html
Another technique which can produce good results is to mike from the player's perspective. A mike by each ear, pointing down at the guitar produces a very convincing and natural sound. Watch out for sniffs and other unwanted sounds though. Again a little direct signal can be introduced to this. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | when miles recorded my adamas for the CD, we used a neuman tlm 103 and the low z out of the guitar. It provided a nice mix |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7251
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | My standard place to start is a Nuemann TLM-103 (the idea being a large condensor) about 10-12" from the guitar, pointing at the strings at a point about 2" below the neck. Imagine a center hole guitar with the mike pointed at the spot between the hole and the neck. I also then put another mic usually a Sure SM-57 about 6"-10" away from the nut (on the guitar, not the one playing it). I point it at the fretboard, at an angle of about 30 degrees down the neck. If there is a direct out, I use it also. Then.. mix to taste. The provides the ability to change the tone of the guitar to lock in the mix. As a rule I use no compression or EQ while recording. Plenty of room to do that after it's recorded to fit the mix. |
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Recording an Ovation?
