Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Could use some advice, recording acoustic trio

PRobb · 31st January 2006

I'm with JonCraig here. Set up the band as they would be on stage. guitar/singer center, drums on one side bass on the other. The optimal situation would be if they didn't have to wear headphones. If the drummer is playing brushes on a small kit, this should work. If the players are good, they will mix themselves so they can hear each other.
Then mic the band with an x/y pair of SDCs. Mic all the individual instruments as usual, but start the mix with the pair, and see what needs (or doesn't) enhancement from the close mics. The small kit and the upright should just love the sound of the pair.
If the singer "gives and takes a lot of time", that is part of the performance. Don't try to smooth it out. Let it breathe.

31st January 2006	#12
PRobb Gear Guru Joined: Jun 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 14,146	I'm with JonCraig here. Set up the band as they would be on stage. guitar/singer center, drums on one side bass on the other. The optimal situation would be if they didn't have to wear headphones. If the drummer is playing brushes on a small kit, this should work. If the players are good, they will mix themselves so they can hear each other. Then mic the band with an x/y pair of SDCs. Mic all the individual instruments as usual, but start the mix with the pair, and see what needs (or doesn't) enhancement from the close mics. The small kit and the upright should just love the sound of the pair. If the singer "gives and takes a lot of time", that is part of the performance. Don't try to smooth it out. Let it breathe.