#1
|
|||
|
|||
A question for engineers: Acoustic/Electric or Pickup?
I have a bit of a problem... I love recording with my Martin acoustic and an AKG 414C mic, but the musicians that come to my studio can't sit still so their levels vary from high to low and it's so bad that even the best compressors cannot fix it.
So now I'm debating whether to buy a nice acoustic/electric or install a nice pickup on the Martin. Why would you do? Any engineers here?
__________________
Tampa Recording Studio |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
it won't sound nearly as good if you move to a pickup system.
Best option is to talk them through the issue and get them to stay still in front of the mic. Much like playing live, there is a learning cure to being good in the studio. Saving that set up 2 mics to cover the "swing area" or get musicians with studio experience if that's an option.
__________________
-Steve 1927 Martin 00-21 1986 Fender Strat 1987 Ibanez RG560 1988 Fender Fretless J Bass 1991 Washburn HB-35s 1995 Taylor 812ce 1996 Taylor 510c (custom) 1996 Taylor 422-R (Limited Edition) 1997 Taylor 810-WMB (Limited Edition) 1998 Taylor 912c (Custom) 2019 Fender Tele |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Tampa Recording Studio |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Do you lend your guitar to clients? I think the best thing would be a clamp on mic as demonstrated by Doug Young, a frequent denizen of AGF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixdv3mE98j8 HE |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
No point in recording the pickup particularly, unless that is the sound they want. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Lyric
One way you might resolve this is to install an LR Baggs Lyric in your guitar. It's a mic pickup, and while it's pretty well eq'd to avoid feedback (an eq'ing you may not like), it will keep a constant level which you could blend in with the recording through your mic and get that evenness you're looking for.
I recorded a couple of songs this way: This one https://soundcloud.com/guitarsrsoawe...he-time-is-now And this one: https://soundcloud.com/guitarsrsoawesome/six-questions Mind you, I am no professional, an amateur at best, but I think it managed an even tone. The mic I used was a simple Audio Technica AT2020 through a Presonus interace into garageband. Hope that helps. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
play music!
__________________
2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
BTW: I wouldn't have it placed like that... but you get the idea. More info here: http://exploraudio.com/categories/gi...re-h-clamp/24/ I'm not a customer nor affiliated, but I've often thought it might be good to have one for the purpose you mention. Let me say one thing about pickups. They suck for recording. The Lyric isn't really much better. Use an external microphone.
__________________
Music: http://mfassett.com Taylor 710 sunburst Epiphone ef-500m ...a few electrics |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
............
__________________
Unimogbert Last edited by unimogbert; 03-07-2023 at 10:29 PM. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
This will also solve problems with non-payment.
__________________
"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Ditto the guitar mounted mic. I've had similar issues with people new to recording doing stuff such as moving around, breathing loudly, coughing, etc. Usually I just coach them and we can work around the issues.
|
#12
|
|||
|
|||
I bought the Lyric to record directly into my computer without picking up room noise. Works fine. It works even better with a external mic blended in with it. I use a Marshall MXL V69 ME tube mic and the combination of the two works great.
Distance and double mics will also work well. For me though, eliminating room noise was the biggest advantage of using the Lyric.
__________________
Alvarez 66 CE Alvarez AJ80CE Takamine F340 Guild F-2512 Deluxe CE Ibanez Acoustic Bass 12 M1 Martin 12 string X Series Harley Benton Telecaster EVH Wolfgang Formerly known as Martin Maniac..... M |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
No pickup system or acoustic/electric guitar is going to sound nearly as natural (or as good IMO) as a nice mic in front of a nice guitar. -Mike
__________________
For sale: Mint Condition Guild D125-12 All Mahogany 12 string 2009 Martin 000-18 Golden Era 1937 |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Hi TR…
I put the player in place, set the mic and tell them they cannot move around. I have a few questions…
|
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Selecting wider polar patterns may help, if the issue is lateral movement. Ric
|