The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > RECORD

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 03-11-2010, 08:11 AM
FusionZ06 FusionZ06 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 200
Default Not 100% happy with my sound when recording...

Here is what I have...

Fast machine running Windows 7 x64
M-Audio ProFire 610 - hooked up via FireWire
A few Taylor guitars running ES - hooked up via standard 1/4" guitar cable
Reaper + Audacity

I just haven't been able to quite get the sound I'm looking for. I'm actually thinking I might need to move to a microphone because I do a lot of palm taps on strings and such.

Ideas?
__________________
2011 Taylor Spring GA LTD Cedar over Macassar Ebony
2009 Taylor GT6 Baritone
2008 Taylor 716CE
2003 Taylor Big Baby
2010 Taylor Solid Body Custom Spalted Maple 1 of 8
ESP (LTD) MH-1000 - FR & EMG (Gone)
2010 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster Aged Cherry
Takamine EG-124
Ibanez SZ520QM
and a few others
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-11-2010, 08:53 AM
sdelsolray sdelsolray is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 6,951
Default

What microphone(s) are you using?

Where are the microphone(s) placed?

How do you listen to what you have recorded?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-11-2010, 09:47 AM
RRuskin RRuskin is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,619
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdelsolray View Post
What microphone(s) are you using?

Where are the microphone(s) placed?

How do you listen to what you have recorded?
He's plugged in. Is it any wonder the sound is sub-standard?
__________________
Rick Ruskin
Lion Dog Music - Seattle WA
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-11-2010, 10:15 AM
Bob Womack's Avatar
Bob Womack Bob Womack is online now
Guitar Gourmet
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Between Clever and Stupid
Posts: 26,989
Default

I guess what everyone is trying to say is that pickups don't make the best primary source for recording and, yes, you are thinking right that you should probably go to one or two mics for recording.

Cheers!

Bob
__________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring

THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-11-2010, 10:31 AM
Mystic Mystic is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 453
Default

ADD a microphone. Then you can do a wet/dry mix in the software.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-11-2010, 10:42 AM
FusionZ06 FusionZ06 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RRuskin View Post
He's plugged in. Is it any wonder the sound is sub-standard?
Why don't you offer some advice rather than being condescending. Thanks...
__________________
2011 Taylor Spring GA LTD Cedar over Macassar Ebony
2009 Taylor GT6 Baritone
2008 Taylor 716CE
2003 Taylor Big Baby
2010 Taylor Solid Body Custom Spalted Maple 1 of 8
ESP (LTD) MH-1000 - FR & EMG (Gone)
2010 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster Aged Cherry
Takamine EG-124
Ibanez SZ520QM
and a few others
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-11-2010, 10:44 AM
FusionZ06 FusionZ06 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Womack View Post
I guess what everyone is trying to say is that pickups don't make the best primary source for recording and, yes, you are thinking right that you should probably go to one or two mics for recording.

Cheers!

Bob
What microphone would you recommend? I do have a Blue Snowball mic but it is USB.
__________________
2011 Taylor Spring GA LTD Cedar over Macassar Ebony
2009 Taylor GT6 Baritone
2008 Taylor 716CE
2003 Taylor Big Baby
2010 Taylor Solid Body Custom Spalted Maple 1 of 8
ESP (LTD) MH-1000 - FR & EMG (Gone)
2010 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster Aged Cherry
Takamine EG-124
Ibanez SZ520QM
and a few others
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-11-2010, 10:45 AM
FusionZ06 FusionZ06 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 200
Default

I listen to my tracks with either Sennheiser HD280 pros or Logitech z2300
__________________
2011 Taylor Spring GA LTD Cedar over Macassar Ebony
2009 Taylor GT6 Baritone
2008 Taylor 716CE
2003 Taylor Big Baby
2010 Taylor Solid Body Custom Spalted Maple 1 of 8
ESP (LTD) MH-1000 - FR & EMG (Gone)
2010 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster Aged Cherry
Takamine EG-124
Ibanez SZ520QM
and a few others
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-11-2010, 11:33 AM
Doug Young's Avatar
Doug Young Doug Young is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 9,878
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FusionZ06 View Post
What microphone would you recommend? I do have a Blue Snowball mic but it is USB.

The snowball should work fine, have you tried it? *Any* mic is likely to sound dramatically better than any pickup. Pickups in general are not going to give you a natural acoustic sound, and the the ES, being a magnetic pickup, especially won't sound natural direct into a recording. Assuming you want a natural acoustic sound, of course. The ES can sound OK blended with a mic, you might try both, and experiment with different ways to mix them.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-11-2010, 11:33 AM
ScottAllyn ScottAllyn is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Tampa, FL - USA
Posts: 810
Default

A lot of it really depends upon what type of sound you're shooting for. Can you give some examples of guitar recordings that you really like and maybe share a clip from one of your own recordings that you're unhappy with?
__________________
http://www.ScottAllyn.com ♫ (ɔısnɯ ʎɯ)
1981 Laughlin RL Koa B/S Cedar Top
2008 McKnight Highlander
Wenge B/S Lutz/Cedar Double Top
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-11-2010, 11:34 AM
KevWind's Avatar
KevWind KevWind is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Edge of Wilderness Wyoming
Posts: 19,877
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FusionZ06 View Post
What microphone would you recommend? I do have a Blue Snowball mic but it is USB.
That would most likely depend on your budget for a mic. Also a little additional info would help. Like are recording GTR only or gtr and vocal . are you adding any FX etc.
__________________
Enjoy the Journey.... Kev...

KevWind at Soundcloud

KevWind at YouYube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD

System :
Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1

Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-11-2010, 11:36 AM
colinmac colinmac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 233
Default

With that interface you could run a pair of condensers in the XLRs (use the phantom power switch to make them go) and run the cable into one of the line inputs on the back, so get a nice stereo image as well as being able to dial in as much of the pickup signal as you want.

I use a pair of Behringer C2 condensers (cheap and cheerful), but there are many, many others. Basically pick something according to budget; remember you'll need a mic stand as well, and while the C2s come with a stereo bar (to mount both microphones on a single stand) you should check if you get one with the alternatives.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-11-2010, 01:50 PM
sdelsolray sdelsolray is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 6,951
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RRuskin View Post
He's plugged in. Is it any wonder the sound is sub-standard?
I misread the OP's post - too early in the morning.

Yeah, mics rule. Pickups, not so much.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-11-2010, 04:42 PM
Bob Womack's Avatar
Bob Womack Bob Womack is online now
Guitar Gourmet
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Between Clever and Stupid
Posts: 26,989
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FusionZ06 View Post
What microphone would you recommend? I do have a Blue Snowball mic but it is USB.
Wheeew. I'm back from working sessions. I'm afraid I'm not your best resource for inexpensive microphones. I record for a living and work with some of the nice stuff. There are lots of good people on the forum who can guide you. I bought a pair of AKG C451bs for my own home rig after using the C451Es for years. I love 'em, though they are still pretty expensive.

Bob
__________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring

THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-11-2010, 06:42 PM
FusionZ06 FusionZ06 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottAllyn View Post
A lot of it really depends upon what type of sound you're shooting for. Can you give some examples of guitar recordings that you really like and maybe share a clip from one of your own recordings that you're unhappy with?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAfCcyWUIwI
I like this recording sound and it appears he is plugged in and is also recording with a mic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBwM9VqmxQE

This has two mics.
__________________
2011 Taylor Spring GA LTD Cedar over Macassar Ebony
2009 Taylor GT6 Baritone
2008 Taylor 716CE
2003 Taylor Big Baby
2010 Taylor Solid Body Custom Spalted Maple 1 of 8
ESP (LTD) MH-1000 - FR & EMG (Gone)
2010 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster Aged Cherry
Takamine EG-124
Ibanez SZ520QM
and a few others
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > RECORD

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=