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Old 01-09-2021, 08:51 AM
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Default Another critique request

Here's a rough draft of my next recording project. It's a solo fingerstyle arrangement of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now. I have some more woodshedding to do to smooth some rough spots and increase the tempo about 10%. Would like feedback on how the recording sounds.

My setup is what I am calling a spaced pair with on one mic pointing at the body/neck junction and one mic pointing at the bridge. The mics are plugged into a Scarlett 2i4 running into Reaper. The mics (KM184) are two separate tracks setup in stereo. The only treatment in the room (10x10 with 8' ceilings, hardwood floors with rug) is the pair of hinged acoustic panels as seen below (3'x6'). I sit with the guitar about 10" from the mics so I guess I am close mic'ing.



Below is the Soundcloud link. The only thing I have done to the raw recording is apply a HPF set at approximately 100 Hz. I adjusted the HPF until I thought bass was a bit smoother and tighter. Other than that, the rest is as recorded. I'm trying to live by the mantra to get the raw recording down where it requires the least amount of post processing.

Thanks again for feedback, very much appreciated on this journey.

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Old 01-09-2021, 10:52 AM
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Your recording sounds very good.

Here are my comments:

1. The recording isn't stereo balanced to my ears (wearing headphones). The gain on the left mic should be up maybe 2db to match the right or I have to clean my ears, .

2. I heard some breathing (I get that often). If I remember to, I'll point the mics slightly down away from my face and breath through my nose which helps.

What did you make your panels with?
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Old 01-09-2021, 02:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TBman View Post
Your recording sounds very good.

Here are my comments:

1. The recording isn't stereo balanced to my ears (wearing headphones). The gain on the left mic should be up maybe 2db to match the right or I have to clean my ears, .

2. I heard some breathing (I get that often). If I remember to, I'll point the mics slightly down away from my face and breath through my nose which helps.

What did you make your panels with?
Thanks for the feedback Barry. Check out the sample below. It sounds better and is played a lot better. This is two mics going to two mono tracks and then panned 100% left/right. HPF is used again on the mix. There's no other EQ, compression, or reverb.

Better on the breathing in this also. I think in the first above, I was kind of congested and it was making my breathing louder than normal.

I did not make the panels, I bought them pre-made and assembled. They really make a difference. I have no other sound treatment in the room.

Cheers,

Bob

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Old 01-09-2021, 02:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
Thanks for the feedback Barry. Check out the sample below. It sounds better and is played a lot better. This is two mics going to two mono tracks and then panned 100% left/right. HPF is used again on the mix. There's no other EQ, compression, or reverb.

Better on the breathing in this also. I think in the first above, I was kind of congested and it was making my breathing louder than normal.

I did not make the panels, I bought them pre-made and assembled. They really make a difference. I have no other sound treatment in the room.

Cheers,

Bob

Where did you get the panels Bob?
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Old 01-09-2021, 03:36 PM
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That was lovely, Bob!!
I know you have excellent mics with this set-up. Do you attribute a lot of your sound quality to these? (Aside from guitar and excellent playing!).
Best,
Fred
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Old 01-09-2021, 03:51 PM
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Two things I'd address...
The first, and this isn't something everyone will agree is an issue, I think the low end was a little boomy. Not over the top boomy, but a little bit.
Second, I can see from your setup that you have the mics pointed up towards the guitar. That puts your breathing in the sweet spot. I'd suggest raising the mics up so you can point down at the same spots. That would put the breathing a bit off axis and you'd have less on the track.

Other than those two things, nicely done.
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Old 01-09-2021, 05:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TBman View Post
Where did you get the panels Bob?
Acoustimac.com would be a good source Barry for virtually the same panels. I can’t for the life of me find the exact source I got mine from but I’ll keep searching and let you know.
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Old 01-09-2021, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by islandguitar View Post
That was lovely, Bob!!
I know you have excellent mics with this set-up. Do you attribute a lot of your sound quality to these? (Aside from guitar and excellent playing!).
Best,
Fred
Thanks Fred, I appreciate the compliments on the playing. I think the mics have a lot to do with it and the panels really seem to get the echo/reverb out of the sub-optimal room. I’m lucky to be getting results like this so I can just focus on playing.

Dancer’s Interlude you linked to is just beautiful. I have a long way to go!
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Old 01-09-2021, 05:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim1960 View Post
Two things I'd address...
The first, and this isn't something everyone will agree is an issue, I think the low end was a little boomy. Not over the top boomy, but a little bit.
Second, I can see from your setup that you have the mics pointed up towards the guitar. That puts your breathing in the sweet spot. I'd suggest raising the mics up so you can point down at the same spots. That would put the breathing a bit off axis and you'd have less on the track.

Other than those two things, nicely done.
Jim,

I agree with you on the bass and part of it is training my thumb not to be so heavy (I’m playing with a thumb pick). I might bump up the HPF setting too in the mix. Thanks so much for the feedback.

Cheers,

Bob
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Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR)
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Old 01-09-2021, 05:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
Acoustimac.com would be a good source Barry for virtually the same panels. I can’t for the life of me find the exact source I got mine from but I’ll keep searching and let you know.
Ok thanks Bob.
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Old 01-09-2021, 08:13 PM
reeve21 reeve21 is offline
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Sounds nice, Bob!
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Old 01-09-2021, 08:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
Thanks for the feedback Barry. Check out the sample below. It sounds better and is played a lot better. This is two mics going to two mono tracks and then panned 100% left/right. HPF is used again on the mix. There's no other EQ, compression, or reverb.

Better on the breathing in this also. I think in the first above, I was kind of congested and it was making my breathing louder than normal.

I did not make the panels, I bought them pre-made and assembled. They really make a difference. I have no other sound treatment in the room.

Cheers,

Bob

That does sound good Bob, keep it up!
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  #13  
Old 01-10-2021, 08:44 AM
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Thanks Bob and Barry for taking a listen.
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Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR)
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  #14  
Old 01-10-2021, 08:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jim1960 View Post
Second, I can see from your setup that you have the mics pointed up towards the guitar. That puts your breathing in the sweet spot. I'd suggest raising the mics up so you can point down at the same spots. That would put the breathing a bit off axis and you'd have less on the track.
Hi Jim,

I followed your advice and raised the mics to where they are pointing down to the guitar rather than up and first impression listening through the monitoring headphones is that it does reduce the breathing noise. Thanks for the tip!

Cheers,

Bob
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Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR)
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Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber)
Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon)
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  #15  
Old 01-10-2021, 08:56 AM
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Hi Bob

I listened to your second version - sounding pretty good to me.

I didn't find the bass "boomy" as such but I do think it's out of balance with the melody - I want to hear more melody and much less bass emphasis. In my opinion this is down to use of a thumpick - I have always had the same problem and have always found more balance with my thumb nail alone.

Keep it up - sounding good..

Peter
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