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  #1  
Old 02-11-2018, 05:23 PM
Strungalong Strungalong is offline
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Default Garageband Acoustic-Electric Guitar Distortion

I'm having trouble with distortion while recording my Ibanez AW535CE acoustic-electric guitar using Garageband (GB) version 10.2.0 , an Apogee Jam 96k, and my MacBook Pro. Using the acoustic guitar audio track in GB, I'm getting very poor sound reproduction with a lot of loud distortion in the low end (especially low "E") and almost inaudibility at times in the high end. I tried different gain settings on the Apogee Jam, tried shutting of all GB effects/sound enhancements, tried switching to other GB audio tracks (amp, mic, ect.), and nothing seems to cure the distortion. What's adds to my frustration is that I never had this problem with the older versions of GB; my guitar actually sounded like an acoustic guitar should sound, instead of a wounded creature from hell. Hahaha! I thought about just recording using my AT2020 mic, but I'm not ready to surrender without a fight. Any ideas? Thanks, Dave
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Old 02-12-2018, 07:26 AM
paulp1960 paulp1960 is offline
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Have you adjusted the gain controller on the Apogee to ensure you are not clipping the input levels?
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Old 02-12-2018, 09:13 AM
MikeBmusic MikeBmusic is offline
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Have you changed the battery on your guitar recently?
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Old 02-12-2018, 06:53 PM
Strungalong Strungalong is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeBmusic View Post
Have you changed the battery on your guitar recently?
Thanks, Mike. I checked the 9-volt battery on a tester, and it's good; the built-in tuner works fine.
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Old 02-12-2018, 06:58 PM
Strungalong Strungalong is offline
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Paul, I adjusted the gain on the Apogee along it's full range, and it made no difference.
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Old 02-13-2018, 07:38 AM
MikeBmusic MikeBmusic is offline
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Try tracking with the AT2020, if the sound is good, then you have isolated the problem to your pickup/cable/input.
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2020 Taylor 324ceBE
2017 Taylor 114ce-N
2012 Taylor 310ce
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73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string

72 Fender Telecaster
Epiphone Dot Studio
Epiphone LP Jr
Chinese Strat clone

Kala baritone ukulele
Seagull 'Merlin'
Washburn Mandolin
Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele
antique banjolin
Squire J bass
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