Recording acoustic and classical guitar in a church

trout · 29th April 2011

Hi,
I'm aware of a few similar forum posts on GS that I've checked out, but I'm posting here to get some feedback on my ideas, and to give you some recorded samples to hear the results of the techniques used.

Basically, I'm about to record some solo acoustic and classical guitar pieces for a client. It's not going to be released or anything, but guitar is my main instrument, and I frequently record music for library cd's, film music and solo projects. I've just relocated to Norway, and I've found a church that I can record in. The room sounds good to me, and as churches aren't as populated as they used to be, I can use it to record if I let them know a few days in advance.

I've just ordered a Steinberg MR816X 8-input interface, and I will do the recordings next weekend if it has arrived by then.

I'm confident that the recordings will be more than good enough for this project, but I'm interested to see which techniques works better, and if this room is really suitable for future recordings as well.

I won't be able to check the microphones they've got in the church, but there's quite a few. I do have a pair of MXL 603 small diagram microphones, with omni capsules. IIRC, they've got plenty of sm57's, and pairs of both small and large condenser microphones. I think it's studio projects microphones, but I'm not sure.

I've got 8 inputs, and while I'm not planning to mix all of them, I'm planning to do as many sensible combinations as possible, and decide which combinations I use at a later stage.

I was planning to use the MXL's as room microphones, deciding the distance after some monitoring when I'm set up. I've usually used XY technique only before, due to lack of inputs and microphones.
I've never tried the MS technique, but after tweaking some MS sound files, I did like the sound of it.

So spread omni mics, MS technique (if one of the mics has a figure of 8 pattern) and maybe an XY pair as well – that would be 6 inputs. Does anyone have other suggestions that I should try?

Also, I've got my hands on lots of rockwool this week – would any acoustic panels be helpful in this setting? If yes, where should I place them?
I will upload sound samples of each technique and combinations of them if you're interested.

Thanks!

englishguitarist · 4th October 2011

Hi there

I am a classical guitarist.

You may find this interesting, regarding mic set ups when up close to a classical guitar Stereo recording techniques - YouTube

From this and my own recordings, I favour a spaced pair, with one roughly in front of the bridge and one in front of the 12th fret. With careful panning, you get an involving (but not distracting) stereo spread. xy sounds slightly odd to me this close, somehow.

I have more experience with LDCs, although I'm currently getting a pair of SDCs as well. If in doubt, perhaps do what one studio engineer did for me a few years ago: put one LDC close in front and a stereo pair (spaced or xy) slightly further back. How much further back may depend on whether you're using omnis or cardis and how much room sound you want. Mix as required! Some people even suggest an LDC in front of the bridge and an SDC in front of the 12th, as the pair, though I have yet to try that.

Best of luck - post some samples!

29th April 2011	#1
trout Gear interested Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 6 Thread Starter	Recording acoustic and classical guitar in a church Hi, I'm aware of a few similar forum posts on GS that I've checked out, but I'm posting here to get some feedback on my ideas, and to give you some recorded samples to hear the results of the techniques used. Basically, I'm about to record some solo acoustic and classical guitar pieces for a client. It's not going to be released or anything, but guitar is my main instrument, and I frequently record music for library cd's, film music and solo projects. I've just relocated to Norway, and I've found a church that I can record in. The room sounds good to me, and as churches aren't as populated as they used to be, I can use it to record if I let them know a few days in advance. I've just ordered a Steinberg MR816X 8-input interface, and I will do the recordings next weekend if it has arrived by then. I'm confident that the recordings will be more than good enough for this project, but I'm interested to see which techniques works better, and if this room is really suitable for future recordings as well. I won't be able to check the microphones they've got in the church, but there's quite a few. I do have a pair of MXL 603 small diagram microphones, with omni capsules. IIRC, they've got plenty of sm57's, and pairs of both small and large condenser microphones. I think it's studio projects microphones, but I'm not sure. I've got 8 inputs, and while I'm not planning to mix all of them, I'm planning to do as many sensible combinations as possible, and decide which combinations I use at a later stage. I was planning to use the MXL's as room microphones, deciding the distance after some monitoring when I'm set up. I've usually used XY technique only before, due to lack of inputs and microphones. I've never tried the MS technique, but after tweaking some MS sound files, I did like the sound of it. So spread omni mics, MS technique (if one of the mics has a figure of 8 pattern) and maybe an XY pair as well – that would be 6 inputs. Does anyone have other suggestions that I should try? Also, I've got my hands on lots of rockwool this week – would any acoustic panels be helpful in this setting? If yes, where should I place them? I will upload sound samples of each technique and combinations of them if you're interested. Thanks!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
classical guitar + soprano	danijel	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	20	22nd April 2008 01:02 PM
mics for recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar - live and studio.	AveyTare	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	3	20th November 2007 06:14 PM
Classical guitar recording in my studio	ISedlacek	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	18	13th October 2007 09:33 PM
Recording Piano & Classical Guitar	Gaston69	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	8	13th September 2007 11:14 AM
Recording classical guitar on location...words & pics inside	Recording David	Remote Possibilities in Acoustic Music & Location Recording	17	18th August 2007 04:59 PM

4th October 2011	#2
englishguitarist Gear Head Joined: Sep 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 59	Hi there I am a classical guitarist. You may find this interesting, regarding mic set ups when up close to a classical guitar Stereo recording techniques - YouTube From this and my own recordings, I favour a spaced pair, with one roughly in front of the bridge and one in front of the 12th fret. With careful panning, you get an involving (but not distracting) stereo spread. xy sounds slightly odd to me this close, somehow. I have more experience with LDCs, although I'm currently getting a pair of SDCs as well. If in doubt, perhaps do what one studio engineer did for me a few years ago: put one LDC close in front and a stereo pair (spaced or xy) slightly further back. How much further back may depend on whether you're using omnis or cardis and how much room sound you want. Mix as required! Some people even suggest an LDC in front of the bridge and an SDC in front of the 12th, as the pair, though I have yet to try that. Best of luck - post some samples!