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Recording/Mixing Advice for Acoustic Things
StoreTags: audio mixing, acoustics
Author: 11t1 on July 20 2008 Viewed 541 times. 10 people liked this blog. You can rate it below if you haven't already.
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Hey all. I haven't been doing much musically since my newest kid popped out 3 years ago, but it looks like I'm about to become active again.
I set up a proper studio space at my new place. I call it "Welldigger's Ass Studios" because it's in the basement and it gets hellaciously cold down there. Listen to your old Tom Waits if you need any further clarification.
Anyway, I did up this tune using primarily voice & acoustic guitar: link
There's a long story to it. If you're interested: link
Anyway, I did a hugely rushed job on this. I had a bunch of pressing professional obligations to tend, so I could only manage an hour or so on this.
I've never tried to do acoustic instruments before, and I know this could've been done much better. So I'd like to open the floor to anyone who has advice on how to get the most out of recording acoustic guitars, voices, etc. I've got a lot of singer/songwriter material I want to get down, and I'd rather the sounds were the best possible.
So, have it 'er, rip it apart, tell me what I did wrong and what I could be doing better. Thanks. | |
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07/21/08
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astroboy
i've been recording acoustic guitars a lot lately.
here's what i do:
i put one large diaphragm condenser (rode NT 2000) in front of the 12th fret, and one small diaphragm condenser (AKG c451) hanging upside down, heading to the guitar's neck somewhere near the 5th fret.
this way you can use both tracks to balance between body and brillance. works perfectly for me.
07/21/08
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deltasleep
for one thing,most EQ and Compressions suck and don't try it. THe only processing I do is to roll off everything below about 80hz. Or at least that's what I felt in my recording. Everything I record with acoustic I try and record an exact double take and pan. Because of the attack transients and fret noise, it doesn't seem to take well to reverb either. If you want a big sound, don't use a doubler or a chorus. To me, the effect of rerecording multiple takes is much, much punchier than any push button solution. I usually place around the 12th fret. I use a large diaphragm condensor, b/c its the only mic I have. If I had a choice I'd get a stereo pair of pencils.
07/21/08
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11t1
I've got an SM58 on a boom-stand which I can easily point at the guitar. It's also got a pickup, so I guess I can double through that. I'll have to experiment a bit, I guess.
Any advice for voice?
07/21/08
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astroid
the only thing i do for my voice these days is roll it off at around 100 hz, maybe boost it broadly at 2k, then compress it medium/lightly.
my other advice-don't overmix.
i personally hate acoustic guitar recorded from pickups.
maybe notch out a little edge for your voice near the guitar stringy strum sound.
everything sounds like it has a place, tho, your voice is cool
07/21/08
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deltasleep
I can't tell if you have this problem, but I certainly felt like it took me much too long to learn to back off the mic and turn up the gain. Most mics sound best at 1-3 ft. and I was choking up on mine too much.
07/21/08
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11t1
astroid said: "your voice is cool"
That's a first! Thanks. Have you been drinking?
07/22/08
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quip
yeah try not to record acoustic guitars di'd.
the amount of people that play live with plugged in acoustic guitars?!
theres a body of the guitar for a reason - use it!
or buy an acoustic simulator for live work or recording - they work well.
07/22/08
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Hikikomori
is that a desktop your using to record that?
maybe try and hide it while recording so you dont waste a lovely guitar tone muddled in between pc fans.
your voice IS nice.
07/22/08
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Hikikomori
desktop pc i meant!heh.
07/22/08
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Analog
well done one getting on the telly mate, i hope you're getting royalties!
I guess you'd already know about the tights-over-a-coathanger popshield, it does actually work ok i think...
07/22/08
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11t1
Hikikomori - that's my HVAC system you hear. my studio is in the basement in one long utility room that also houses laundry & furnace. I knew enough not to run laundry while recording, but I must remember to shut off the furnace from now on.
07/22/08
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sweettrip
a bit OT but still related. how's r some of you, if any, recording tamborines??? i have such a hard time getting the right sound...
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