any tips on using figure 8 pattern on acoustic guitar?

infopimpster · 13th June 2008

Background:

I've started a mic shoot out I will post later under seperate cover (Apex 460 Dave Thomas mod (C12) vs Pearlman TM-LE on Acoustic).

I'm trying to test a lot of things out so I'm trying cardioid, omni AND the figure-8 pattern on my Apex 460 mod which has a variable pattern selection. It even allows for "in between settings" but I'm not going there... yet.

I'm getting intruiging tones with the Figure 8 pattern on my Taylor, but have been using some very funky mic positions to get them.... I tried one position that worked and had my pick noise largely falling in the shadow of the pattern, but it was very funky (mic off axis to guitar)...

-----

Question:

Does anyone have tips on mic positioning using figure 8 pattern on acoustics?

-steve

pootkao · 14th June 2008

If it works, use it. Who cares where the mic is. If it sounds good, it IS good.

Use your ears, move the mic around, when you like the sound, thats the spot.

FWIW, I use figure 8 at least 75% of the time on acoustics.

Bryan T · 14th June 2008

I'm new to mics that have a figure-8 pattern, but one way that I've used mine is as a side mic in a mid/side pair.

Bryan

Matti · 14th June 2008

This might sound strange but use fig 8 on vocal and fig 8 on acoustic guitar
to have max separation, well now the strange succestion -sometimes
the guitar mic sounds good positioned "sideways" the lobes seeing the strings
both sides instead of using the front lobe only. Don´t make me draw this...

Matti

13th June 2008	#1
infopimpster Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Cruz Mountains Posts: 588 Thread Starter	any tips on using figure 8 pattern on acoustic guitar? Background: I've started a mic shoot out I will post later under seperate cover (Apex 460 Dave Thomas mod (C12) vs Pearlman TM-LE on Acoustic). I'm trying to test a lot of things out so I'm trying cardioid, omni AND the figure-8 pattern on my Apex 460 mod which has a variable pattern selection. It even allows for "in between settings" but I'm not going there... yet. I'm getting intruiging tones with the Figure 8 pattern on my Taylor, but have been using some very funky mic positions to get them.... I tried one position that worked and had my pick noise largely falling in the shadow of the pattern, but it was very funky (mic off axis to guitar)... ----- Question: Does anyone have tips on mic positioning using figure 8 pattern on acoustics? -steve

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14th June 2008	#2
pootkao Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 651	If it works, use it. Who cares where the mic is. If it sounds good, it IS good. Use your ears, move the mic around, when you like the sound, thats the spot. FWIW, I use figure 8 at least 75% of the time on acoustics.

14th June 2008	#3
Bryan T Gear Head Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 69	I'm new to mics that have a figure-8 pattern, but one way that I've used mine is as a side mic in a mid/side pair. Bryan

14th June 2008	#4
Matti Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,756	This might sound strange but use fig 8 on vocal and fig 8 on acoustic guitar to have max separation, well now the strange succestion -sometimes the guitar mic sounds good positioned "sideways" the lobes seeing the strings both sides instead of using the front lobe only. Don´t make me draw this... Matti