Recording Acoustic Guitar

[matt p]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum and fairly new to recording.

I'd like to know what high end microphones you would use to record solo acoustic guitar? I am looking to capture the same sound as Al Petteway, particularly the album Caledon Wood

I have heard elsewhere on the web good things about vintage AKG C-24 and vintage U47...what do you folks think?

What would your set up be?

Thanks,

Matt P

[redrue]

I just got my new Wunder CM7 last week... it is
UNbelievable! on acoustic guitar... sillky smooth, not
hyped anywhwere... HIGHLY Recommended.

[matt p]

Thanks for the feedback, One more question I forgot to ask.

Do I go for a stereo mic, or a matched pair?

Thanks again,

Matt

[Baz]

I really dig my KMi84 -> Flamingo. This combination is my fave on acoustic guitars and fiddle.

I also prefer to mic acoustics, mono.

just my .02

[Midlandmorgan]

Originally Posted by matt p

Thanks for the feedback, One more question I forgot to ask.

Do I go for a stereo mic, or a matched pair?

Thanks again,

Matt

Depends on if you think you need two guitar tracks...either way works just fine...

Try a Peluso2247 or a Pearlman through a Pacifica if you get a chance...you won't look back...killer combination for any acoustic souces.

[edvdr76]

Personally I think stereo miking is cool,but I think using 2 different kind of mics gives the instrument a more real sound to it. Example: C-12 at the hole and a 451 at the neck. Gives it a bit more depht. Although sometimes one mic will do the job. It all depends what the guitar is doing.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by matt p

Hello all, I'm new to this forum and fairly new to recording.

I'd like to know what high end microphones you would use to record solo acoustic guitar? I am looking to capture the same sound as Al Petteway, particularly the album Caledon Wood

I have heard elsewhere on the web good things about vintage AKG C-24 and vintage U47...what do you folks think?

What would your set up be?

Thanks,

Matt P

In terms of sound, the mic/preamp/converter setup is dwarfed by the player/instrument/room involved. In all honesty, trying to capture the same sound as Al Petteway on the Caledon Wood recordings requires Al, the guitar he used and the room he recorded that album in.

I suppose if you used the same mics, pre and converters, you would be closer than using a different signal chain. But that signal chain might not be the best for you. You are a different player, with a different guitar, recording in a different room.

I record solo acoustic fingerstyle and classical guitar. I've spent quite a bit of time trying and owning different gear to find a few items (of the hundreds and hudreds available) that work best for me. Here's what I use:

Mics:

2x Schoeps CMC6/MK4
2x Microtech Gefell M294
1x Microtech Gefell UMT800
1x AEA R84

Preamps:

Pendulum Audio MDP-1a
Pendulum Audio SPS-1
John Hardy M-2

There are numerous combinations with this limited gear list, from very musical and euphonic to very detailed and transparent.

[numrologst]

414, c451b, sm81, lawson l57, aea r84, km84, josephson e22, md441

I've used all of those, and they all have their distinct sounds. Doesn't matter to me as long as it sounds nice. Although my sm81's see the most for acoustics

[heathen]

Nice mic and an A designs P1 pre.

[phelbin]

I agree that player makes more of a difference than the mic. But bad mic choice/placement can ruin an otherwise great performance.

Several people mentioned KM84's. I have a matched pair that I use all the time on acoustic. Hard panning them gives a really wide feel. But a few times lately I've used a LDC (Neumann M7) at the neck and a KM84 near the bridge, and it turned out great each time. It made it feel even wider because of the slightly different tone from each mic.

[bonne]

Originally Posted by matt p

Thanks for the feedback, One more question I forgot to ask.

Do I go for a stereo mic, or a matched pair?

Thanks again,

Matt

Hi

Here's another way of getting GREAT guitar sounds, with superior control of left/right image, tone and ambience. Check out Ronny Morris' post at the bottom of page 1:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...tty#msg_125991

cheers

Jørn

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by bonne

Hi

Here's another way of getting GREAT guitar sounds, with superior control of left/right image, tone and ambience. Check out Ronny Morris' post at the bottom of page 1:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...tty#msg_125991

cheers

Jørn

A matched pair will give you more versatility in different mic placements.

[bonne]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

A matched pair will give you more versatility in different mic placements.

In my experience different mic placements with matched pair stereo setups may be versatile, but you would have to be extremely lucky, with a fantastic sounding guitar in a fantastic sounding room, and having picked just the right spots in that room for the two mics and the player/guitar, to even get close to the results you can repeatedly get using Ronny's setup. Futhermore you can get these results without having to think about spending on the most expensive/hard to find mics. Regular good quality mics through regular good quality pre's will do.

Read Ronny's post and try out his three-mic technique (see link in my post above).

It is vastly superior to any other setup with matched pairs etc. that I have used (spaced omni array, x/y, Blumlein figure 8's, M/S, ORTF, 12th fret/body, 12th fret/shoulder etc, especially when it comes to versatility in sound.

You have full control of the width, size and fullness of your guitar sound when mixing. There's practically no phase issues. Your mics are picking up the different parts of the total guitar sound on axis and with very good signal to noise, because of the close proximity. Good, strong and clean signals blended together. The shoulder mic gives you your ambience and adds to the fullness of your sound. Blend it in to taste. Supplement with a bit of reverb on the 12th fret and/or hole mic if you want a more ambient sound.

Good luck!

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by matt p

Thanks for the feedback, One more question I forgot to ask.

Do I go for a stereo mic, or a matched pair?

Thanks again,

Matt

A stereo mic will let you "set and forget" more easily, but as people mentioned, won't allow you the versitility of two seperate mics.

Also, I wouldn't worry so much about the two mics being "matched." If you wanted the mics to both pick up the exact same thing and sound exactly the same, why would you be using two mics?

Variety is the spice of life.

[effectsnut]

Originally Posted by bonne

Hi

Here's another way of getting GREAT guitar sounds, with superior control of left/right image, tone and ambience. Check out Ronny Morris' post at the bottom of page 1:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...tty#msg_125991

cheers

Jørn

that was a good post..im gonna try the over the shoulder position. i've heard if it but never tried it. im happy with my acoustic recordings. i just got a U99 so i'll use that for the shoulder position

[Acoustic Cloud]

Originally Posted by effectsnut

that was a good post..im gonna try the over the shoulder position. i've heard if it but never tried it. im happy with my acoustic recordings. i just got a U99 so i'll use that for the shoulder position

I think the over the shoulder and in front works better than spaced pair or x/y.

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by Acoustic Cloud

I think the over the shoulder and in front works better than spaced pair or x/y.

I've found this to be true in my experiences as well.

[swankdoc]

If you can play facing a wood wall or wood gobo, about 8+ feet away... if you have spare tracks, then try a LDC mic a foot room the wall on figure 8. Its a great way to add real ambience.

[Ollie]

Matt,
1. First and foremost the Al Petteway is a really good player.
2. Al uses some fine instruments like Ryans, Olsons, etc. These instruments are extremely rich in harmonics.
3. He plays in open tunings - you only enhance the resonant illusion with open tunings
4. From what I read, the recordings were made C24'S or with mics that had ck12 capsules put in them. Great choice. Pres appear to be API's or Api consoles.
Cannot go wrong with this.
5. Lastly for this type of sound I would recommend a nice lively wood floor etc.
6. You can get a nice sound with many microphones if you throw on some headphones, turn them up fairly loud. Have the player play softly and listen to where you like the sound of the resonance. It does not have to look correct. Does it sound like you want. Lock the mic down and record. (turn the phones down before giving it back to him)

Originally Posted by matt p

Hello all, I'm new to this forum and fairly new to recording.

I'd like to know what high end microphones you would use to record solo acoustic guitar? I am looking to capture the same sound as Al Petteway, particularly the album Caledon Wood

I have heard elsewhere on the web good things about vintage AKG C-24 and vintage U47...what do you folks think?

What would your set up be?

Thanks,

Matt P

[elambo]

I've tried many combinations over the years and continue to experiment. It's tough to make a perfect call every time because there are so many variables to consider: type of song, intended tone, type of guitar, guitar player, etc.

I've gone through the gamut of mics including a C12, 251, U47, KM184, KM54, Schoeps CMC6/MK4, and a few others. My favorite for forward-sounding tone that cuts well in the mix is the KM54 with a C12 close 2nd. For richer, fuller tone my favorite is probably a U47.

As for mic pres, I use a Neve 1272 most often with a John Hardy a close 2nd. The Hardy gets the job done when I'm looking for cleaner tone.

Best overall combination, IMO: Collings dread guitar-->KM54-->Neve pre. A great synergistic sound that has it all.

But again, experimenting is half the fun.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Also, I wouldn't worry so much about the two mics being "matched." If you wanted the mics to both pick up the exact same thing and sound exactly the same, why would you be using two mics?

Variety is the spice of life.

Good point. A little difference between the two mics can play nice stereo tricks, too. A matched set is good for concert piano, but not so important with acoustic guitar.

[audible]

Originally Posted by elambo

Best overall combination, IMO: Collings dread guitar-->KM54-->Neve pre. A great synergistic sound that has it all.

But again, experimenting is half the fun.

Agreed on the Neumann KM-54 for acoustic guitar. They are a really stellar mic for acoustic guitar recordings. Unfortunately I traded my KM54 for a KM56 which is also a way cool mic for acoustic guitar, but a little different than the KM54: must be the relation of capsule to the body. Nevertheless, both mic are great on acoustic guitar, as all of the nickel diaphragm Neumann mics are for acoustic music. Great top end that never seems to fizzy. I also like Neumann U64 mics on acoustic guitar with Neve 33114 or Chandler LTD1 pre