Fellow writers that record real instruments.

[2lane]

Hoping for feedback from people who track real acoustic instruments (i.e. acoustic guitars, dobro, drums, banjo...)
Do you guys EQ as you track, or add later? I've just been making sure I get a good S/N ratio, then EQ and effects later.
Wondering if I'm hurting myself that way?
Appreciate any input (no pun intended ) on the matter.
Thanks.
Steve

[gitanosoy]

When recording my acoustic guitar I go through an API channel strip which I have made a template settings one for nylon and another for steel string guitar. This EQ is stamped on the track as I record then later if need to adjust the sound more I will put an EQ before my reverb on the AUX channel.

[2lane]

When recording my acoustic guitar I go through an API channel strip which I have made a template settings one for nylon and another for steel string guitar. This EQ is stamped on the track as I record then later if need to adjust the sound more I will put an EQ before my reverb on the AUX channel.

Thanks Andre!
Sounds like a solid tactic. Always interesting to hear how others approach it.
Thanks again for your time.
Steve

[eandersonmusic]

The only thing you have to be careful with is that you can't "undo" any effects after it has been tracked. Eq isn't a bad idea, can save time in the mix, light compression is OK too. Some instruments you will want to eq a certain way almost every time, like a hihat doesn't need any low end, so it can save time and help build a proper mix if you just cut that out while tracking. But I wouldn't put any delay or reverb on while tracking, because again you can't take them off after. If you are tracking guitar and plan on putting a delay on the track, you can put delay on an aux, not a direct pedal, if that helps with how you play it and not record the delay effect just in case you want to make some adjustments or edits later.

[2lane]

The only thing you have to be careful with is that you can't "undo" any effects after it has been tracked. Eq isn't a bad idea, can save time in the mix, light compression is OK too. Some instruments you will want to eq a certain way almost every time, like a hihat doesn't need any low end, so it can save time and help build a proper mix if you just cut that out while tracking. But I wouldn't put any delay or reverb on while tracking, because again you can't take them off after. If you are tracking guitar and plan on putting a delay on the track, you can put delay on an aux, not a direct pedal, if that helps with how you play it and not record the delay effect just in case you want to make some adjustments or edits later.

Thanks for your time, Erik
Yeah, I would never print with a delay or verb, unless it was a chorus or something on an electric guitar that was essential to the vibe of the song. Just mostly wondering about EQ tracking in that too much in means fighting to
take too much out.
Appreciate the other tips...good advice )
Steve

[garrettmiller]

Good points above. I keep a mic setup for my nylon guitar and over time have figured out how far away to find the sweet spot when recording and record dry. Guitar > mic > preamp > ad converter. I have eq and compressor settings stored for strumming and finger picking and add those and reverb later. I’ve had to re-record parts several months after the initial recording to make edit points before and recording without eq /compression works best for me. My 2 cents.

[2lane]

Good points above. I keep a mic setup for my nylon guitar and over time have figured out how far away to find the sweet spot when recording and record dry. Guitar > mic > preamp > ad converter. I have eq and compressor settings stored for strumming and finger picking and add those and reverb later. I’ve had to re-record parts several months after the initial recording to make edit points before and recording without eq /compression works best for me. My 2 cents.

Thanks Garrett, appreciate the post.
I do that too, diagram where I sat from the mic & such. I also take screenshots of all my settings & VSTs when I do orchestral stuff. I also go ahead and dump all VST tracks to audio, just in case something goes bad.
Yep, going back to redo something is easier when the initial effort is less laborious.
Peace!
Steve