Recording acoustic guitar, an oldie but a goodie!

[beachbum]

Hey, thanks for that. Can you put a link up so I can hear the guitar recorded in this way.
Cheers
Gary

http://www.myspace.com/liteboxtherapy/m ... m-85972729

[treesbygb]

Thanks, once again.
I like your music beach bum, but regarding the guitar sound, I don't think it's worth buying another bit of kit, I think I'll work with what I've got, paying attention to all the variables.
Cheers
Gary

[beachbum]

thanks Gary..I go for a rawer unpolished acoustic sound..not everyone's cup of tea..thanks for listening..bum

[mojobone]

The article Mark posted has pretty much all the techniques covered. I'm thinking that if you're not hearing fairly huge differences between completely different microphones and guitars, the problem is your monitors. You should hear a vast difference between a thin and a medium pick on the same guitar when strumming, and whilst fingerpicking you should be able to hear whether the fingers are nearer the bridge or the soundhole; if you have a good mic in the right place, you can tell a downstroke from an upstroke of a single plucked note. Being unable to hear subtle differences is a really huge problem, so have a hard look at your preamps and transducers; you may just have to bite the bullet and upgrade.

[jdhogg]

Have a look at the mic placement on these, micing slightly below is not just for separation it will give you a balanced natural but less muddy sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5ZoADXp4J4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29Fd1ZX3 ... re=related

Also notice that they play the instruments quite softly and at a consistent level so any compression is minimal.

[treesbygb]

Thanks for pitching in ideas and keeping this alive!
It's possible that it might be my ears and not the monitor! Though I'm using Bose computer speakers and not proper monitors. Part of what I'm thinking now, is what do I think is a good sound and what is a bad sound? What is it that constitutes that sound? I just haven't been methodical enough and now realise the complexity involved.
Thanks for the links. I've been watching and enjoying this series, but failed to notice mic placement!
hanks again
Gary

[cardell]

I've been using this technique from Chandler Bridges at Gauge Microphones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1WTxC2Lqg4

I'm thinking that if you're not hearing fairly huge differences between completely different microphones and guitars, the problem is your monitors.

Oh yes, of course!! Good point Mojo.

... I'm using Bose computer speakers and not proper monitors.

In order to make accurate [mixing] decisions, you need accurate information. If you use a good set of nearfiels studio monitors, you'll be able to hear what is really happening. It not possible to overstate this issue.

Stuart

[mojobone]

If you'd like to hear a string of profanities, simply mention the word "Bose" to a speaker repair and/or design professional; before the NSFW stuff, you'll most likely hear the word, "overpriced". Full disclosure, they do actually make some good and useful stuff for performers, but Fishman does it better, cheaper, and they're probably also overpriced, at least in terms of component quality. Frankly, a lot of heavily-touted transducer technology is voodoo-based, and as a (certified and registered) voodoo priest, I know this for a fact. (it also helps, that I read lots of specs and manuals)

[treesbygb]

Once again, thanks for the info and comments.
I've had a look at the video and I'll give that a go.
Yes, I think I need decent need monitors, just got to put a cap on the spending! How much am I looking to pay? Any recommendations?
Cheers
Gary

[mojobone]

If you get something with at least an eight inch woofer, you won't have to fiddle around with subwoofers, which, in a pinch, can give you full range sound from a very small sub-sat footprint, but they're problematic to set up in terms of phase relationships and crossover frequencies. Well-spec'ed biamped two-way nearfields are the norm for good reasons. About the cheapest things you can do professional work on are these: Mackie MR8 MK II I use them at home; the depth, imaging and detail are pretty amazing for the price, and they're potent enough to make an electric kit drummer happy, meaning they won't distort until very near the threshold of pain.