Ways of recording acoustic guitar for fingerstyle and playing live.

[lacatedral]

Greetings, I was wondering which were the best ways of recording acoustic guitar, as well as playing live.
Let me start by saying that English is not my native language so apologize me for any mistake. I also have no experience in recording sound in a professional or semi-professional way.

I have a Taylor GS Mini-e which comes with the ES2 system if i recall correctly.
Then there's an audio interface TASCAM MK144-II, it seems it has four kinds of inputs, two "Mic in" (L and R), and two "Line in" (R/L). Then it has a switch which says phantom.


1.- I'm thinking of a couple of options regarding the recording per sé:
a) The guitar could be connected to the audio interface (I think it's called Direct-In, and the sound processed by a DAW like Ableton.)
b) Guitar connected to the interface (DI) and at the same time use a contact microphone.
c) Guitar connected to the interface and at the same time use a dynamic microphone.
d) Guitar connected to the interface and at the same time use a condenser microphone (I think this is the one, but I would have to buy a condenser).
e) Guitar recorded only by condenser mic.


2.- Now if you process the guitar sound in a DAW, what effects or EQ do you usually add? I mean reverb, compressor, EQ (do you add more bass and trebles and cut mids?), Cabinet, etc...?



3.- Also, what's the best amplification method for playing live?
I mean both indoors in a hall (50 people) and outdoors (say, a park, 200 people).
a) Are condenser microphones good for playing live or would they "catch" too much noise? Maybe just plugging the guitar direct-in to the amplifier and use another kind of mic at the same time (dynamic, contact, etc...)?
b) I actually play more classical guitar and getting to the acoustic guitar recently, but I like the sound of guitarists like Sungha Jung and Gabriella Quevedo. I notice reverb. Would I need any kind of effect pedals? I was thinking in buying a reverb pedal for acoustic guitars, although I have a multi-effect pedal for electric guitar (a cheap one but kind of nice).

[Dog Shape Cloud]

1) Mic in, condenser only. The "Phantom" switch is to power your microphone (if needed). IMO >90% of the time an acoustic guitar recorded Line In will not sound good. Some people advocate doing both simultaneously.

2) As few as possible. Unless you want more.

3) Depends on many factors. Usually doesn't matter. If you're sure you'll have a good setup and are willing to stay in exactly the same spot throughout your entire performance, barely moving your guitar at all, use the mic. I suggest just plugging in for convenience. Pedals if you have/want them.

[Hurricane Ramon]

Chao socio :

¿ Donde en Argentina vives ? Aqui la paso en sur California .

An interface with two mic's works with both a dynamic and a condenser .

One mic accentuates on spectrum of the guitar's voice and the other has
it's characteristics to add in compliment .

A pair of balanced X/Y stereo mic's can be used as well . The mic's on
Tascam & Zoom portable recorders are good examples of mics you can
plug into an interface and record into your DAW out of the portable's line
outs .


The room you record in is also a factor . It may be a [ good ] room sonic
wise or a nightmare to record in .

In an ideal room you might want an additional " room mic " situated
away from where your other close up mic/s is/are to capture the room's sound .

As far as EQ / Compression / or other FX go a little goes a long ways with
acoustic instruments .

If you have a " live sound " you want to have on a recording , then use that
unit's FX before the interface if it's a [ clean & quite ] operating unit(s) .

I have a T.C.Helicon Voice Live 3 X that has a terrific FX engine for vocal
and both electric and acoustic guitar .

I plan on using the VL3X's stereo mic/line outs with it's FX and go into
the front end of my Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 pre amp's two interface in's
and then into the DAW/computer from out of the Focusrite's USB .

I have a Shure SM57 dynamic mic and a Samson C01 large condenser
phantom powered mic , also I've a pair of balanced Shure/Unidyne SE585
HiHz that do well in live small room acoustic shows their sound
charateristics are close to a LoHz Shure SM58 . Assorted harmonic
bullet mics too in my quiver of mics . Some of the harp mic's ( harmonica )
are very old vintage types .

I cover all kinds of ethnic acoustic music as well as electrified jazz / blues and r-n-r .

Buena suerte amigo hasta la proxima .

EZ :

HR

[tippy5]

Studio wise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aivxxQLK9Qw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Fhl-SASMk

and this last one which is probably the better of the lessons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVb0ULL6EKE