Directly connecting instruments to an interface vs mic'ing it's sound from an amp

[Blue42kilo]

Forget the amp part.. Just Mic'ing vs the direct connection to an interface (obviously the amp would apply for instruments like electric guitars though), you know what I mean...

[isawsasquatch]

Bass DI is generally advisable for its more consistent low end. Most folks will also record an amp, so you have the option of blending the two.

Electric guitar DI is done for certain styles, but 99% of the guitar sounds you've heard in your life were recorded through an amp.

Acoustic guitar sounds like ass when taken direct; it bears little resemblance to the actual sound of the instrument. Mic that shit.

Violins, violas, and so forth also sound terrible direct. Mic em.

[tdot]

This question is kind of strange, it sounds like you're not sure what you're asking. Acoustic guitars (often) don't have an 'output' for an amp or interface, and I've never seen a violin with one ... and if you're talking about electric guitars, if you're trying to get an over driven distorted rock guitar like you can get with a guitar cab, you're not going to get that going directly into the interface (without plugins at least). If you're talking about an electric guitar or electric bass going direct in and then applying an amp simulation plugin vs actual micing a real guitar cab, thats just another gear debate and personal preference.

But, if you don't have a proper space, and proper mics, and a proper cab, I wouldn't suggest trying to mic an electric guitar or electric bass. You would probably get better results just recording DI and using a guitar amp simulator like Guitar Rig.

Other instruments that can't be connected to an interface, of course, would need to be micd.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by tdot

This question is kind of strange, it sounds like you're not sure what you're asking. Acoustic guitars (often) don't have an 'output' for an amp or interface, and I've never seen a violin with one ... and if you're talking about electric guitars, if you're trying to get an over driven distorted rock guitar like you can get with a guitar cab, you're not going to get that going directly into the interface (without plugins at least). If you're talking about an electric guitar or electric bass going direct in and then applying an amp simulation plugin vs actual micing a real guitar cab, thats just another gear debate and personal preference.

But, if you don't have a proper space, and proper mics, and a proper cab, I wouldn't suggest trying to mic an electric guitar or electric bass. You would probably get better results just recording DI and using a guitar amp simulator like Guitar Rig.

Other instruments that can't be connected to an interface, of course, would need to be micd.

I find this odd, there are tons of Acoustic's with pickup's that are available and tons of electric violins out there..

Doesn't mean they don't sound bad when going DI.. But generally you don't plug them into an interface you just stick a mic / mics in the correct position to record them..

To the OP, yes... Mic'ing sounds better..

[Tristan.miller]

'Sounds better' is a subjective term...

Direct Injection provides you with the clean pick-up sound.
Microphones will pick up much more of the acoustic properties of the instrument and how it reacts in the room it is in.... and that also depends on where the microphone is placed relative to the instrument!

Miking an instrument can allow one to capture a more realistic sound;
While pick-ups lean towards capturing a more consistent response of the instruments strings, regardless of outside environment/acoustics.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by Tristan.miller

'Sounds better' is a subjective term...

Direct Injection provides you with the clean pick-up sound.
Microphones will pick up much more of the acoustic properties of the instrument and how it reacts in the room it is in.... and that also depends on where the microphone is placed relative to the instrument!

Miking an instrument can allow one to capture a more realistic sound;
While pick-ups lean towards capturing a more consistent response of the instruments strings, regardless of outside environment/acoustics.

In this case, unless your slightly deaf.. It's not subjective at all, it's not like comparing one high end pre-amp to another..

No offence intended, I'm really not sure why someone would DI a violin? Unless to reinforce the sound of the mic's..

Metal is a place for DI, we DI and sample everything.. now this is where it does become subjective.. If it were me I wouldn't DI a thing (Bar the bass).. Quality over quantity.

[jeffgoobs]

Originally Posted by ShadowAMD

I'm really not sure why someone would DI a violin? Unless to reinforce the sound of the mic's.

I think people are referring to the DI that usually comes built-in to an electric fiddle. Correct me if I'm wrong....

[ears2thesky]

I personally like a blend of mic'd and DI'd signals in many cases. Other times I prefer the DI'd signal to drive FX. Sometimes the slight phase cancellation of the two blended carves out a little boxiness in way an EQ doesn't quite achieve.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by jeffgoobs

I think people are referring to the DI that usually comes built-in to an electric fiddle. Correct me if I'm wrong....

Sure that's fine, but as ears below your post says.. DI'ing them and blending usually hit's the best sonic results.. It's not even a subtle thing.

[jeffgoobs]

Originally Posted by ShadowAMD

Sure that's fine, but as ears below your post says.. DI'ing them and blending usually hit's the best sonic results.. It's not even a subtle thing.

You're preaching to the Pope. I'm not arguing with you. I never said I *liked* the sound, but you asked why someone would want to use a DI on his or her violin. It's because you have people like Boyd Tinsley from The Dave Matthews Band playing an electric fiddle with a DI on stage.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by jeffgoobs

You're preaching to the Pope. I'm not arguing with you. I never said I *liked* the sound, but you asked why someone would want to use a DI on his or her violin. It's because you have people like Boyd Tinsley from The Dave Matthews Band playing an electric fiddle with a DI on stage.

Can see the point in it live, at the studio when you have your fancy mic's n stuff. I would probably just DI for reinforcement, I'd never just DI a signal and say here done..

But I can see where on the same page anyways..