Would it enhance my acoustic guitar recordings to use a mic AND an acoustic pick-up at the same time?
acoustic guitar February 7th, 2010I want a more professional sound from my acoustic guitar recordings. It’s not a bad sounding guitar, it’s a hummingbird. What’s the best way to record it? Would throwing in an acoustic pick-up and micing it give it a better sound in the recording? What should I do?
Professional studio recordings use very high grade mics a short distance off of the 12th fret. This will pick up some of the nice overtones to help your sound. The answer to this question depends on what kind of mic and studio space you have. Mics are a lot more trouble but are used more frequently in a studio setting. Using your guitar’s pickup might be a little more practical and sound okay if you’re using a good DI.
The best thing to do, since there are so many variables here is to both mic and hook up your guitar and record them into 2 separate channels. See which one you like better, and you could even mix them together to get the sound you want. Don’t forget to slap a little reverb on there to smooth things out.
Stephen
http://guitarmann.com
February 7th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
It’s possible.
Whatever you do, have each method of recording go to a separate track. That way, you can have one track of miked guitar, and one of the pickup, and you can see which you like better, or if some combination of the two which you can tweak is better.
References :
February 7th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Piezo and under-saddle pickups are not going to give you a true acoustic sound. The most true acoustic pickups will be mics anyway.
The mic pickups aren’t as high quality as a good mic.
If you want the best response without having to search for a month to find the right mic spot:
Get a good condensor mic.
Put it around the 12th fret on your fingerboard.
Turn it where it’s aimed back toward the soundhole.
You should have good response from the treble and bass now.
If you wanted to add a little something to the recording, you could room mic with a second condensor. Move out from where the first mic is about four feet, aim it at the soundhole as well, but place it closer to the floor (maybe a foot off the floor.
References :
February 7th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Professional studio recordings use very high grade mics a short distance off of the 12th fret. This will pick up some of the nice overtones to help your sound. The answer to this question depends on what kind of mic and studio space you have. Mics are a lot more trouble but are used more frequently in a studio setting. Using your guitar’s pickup might be a little more practical and sound okay if you’re using a good DI.
The best thing to do, since there are so many variables here is to both mic and hook up your guitar and record them into 2 separate channels. See which one you like better, and you could even mix them together to get the sound you want. Don’t forget to slap a little reverb on there to smooth things out.
Stephen
http://guitarmann.com
References :
guitar instructor for over 10 years & have recorded professionally for several projects