2 mics vs. mic plus pick-up

bbrown · #1 08-22-2012, 11:37 AM

Are there any advantages to recording solo guitar with one mic and a pickup versus 2 mics?

rick-slo · #2 08-22-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbrown

Are there any advantages to recording solo guitar with one mic and a pickup versus 2 mics?

Yes, less difficulty positioning microphones and probably less phase issues since the tone of the two sources is different. Getting the sound you want with a pickup and a mike is what counts most.

bbrown · #3 08-23-2012, 11:41 AM

I get the impression that most folks use 2 mics. But I ask because I've heard some very good recordings with a single external mic blended with a magnetic soundhole pick-up.

Any folks here using that combination?

jukeboxjoe · #4 08-23-2012, 11:57 AM

I use it. I love it. It also gives you the option of leaning toward one sound or the other in different tracks for a different feel.

Ty Ford · #5 08-24-2012, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbrown

Are there any advantages to recording solo guitar with one mic and a pickup versus 2 mics?

I sort of put this in the idea box of, "I don't know what I want, so I'll do as much as possible to cover my options because I can."

If you knew what you wanted, one mic and one pickup would be more than enough.

The other things to consider are how nice your mics are, how nice your room sounds and what the recording is for. Nothing sounds better than a great mic in a great sounding room for solo work, but if it's for an arrangement in which everyone wants to play at the same time to create a groove, then direct may well work better to eliminate bleed from other instruments.

Regards,

Ty Ford

bbrown · #6 08-24-2012, 09:08 AM

It's just for solo guitar. I'm struggling on the learning curve for recording. I guess it's a dumb question for the pros here. But I never really thought about recording with a pick-up blended with a mic until I heard some great sound from solo 12 string guitar ('Lectricdog' on YT). I wondered if this was a common technique and thought maybe folks might have some tips on how they do it.

--Bill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

I sort of put this in the idea box of, "I don't know what I want, so I'll do as much as possible to cover my options because I can."

If you knew what you wanted, one mic and one pickup would be more than enough.

The other things to consider are how nice your mics are, how nice your room sounds and what the recording is for. Nothing sounds better than a great mic in a great sounding room for solo work, but if it's for an arrangement in which everyone wants to play at the same time to create a groove, then direct may well work better to eliminate bleed from other instruments.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Ty Ford · #7 08-24-2012, 10:59 AM

Bill,

Some sound hole pickups sound a lot better than under saddle pickups. The latter usually sound clacky, especially when flatpicked.

The K&K Pure mini (formerly pure western mini) sounds a lot nicer, but it doesn't sound as nice as a really good mic in a nice room.
http://www.kksound.com/puremini.html

If you're playing fingerstyle, though, everything should sound better.

Regards,

Ty Ford

cmac · #8 08-24-2012, 12:52 PM

I recorded a tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdxlXVpVvao) a while back where the sound was a blend of K&K and a pair of cheap microphones. Most of the mix is the microphones but the pickup adds some depth to the sound (the microphones alone can sound a bit brittle).

If you are limited to two channels, however, I would always go for two microphones over a microphone and a pickup, just because the stereo image of the two microphones adds a lot to the sound.

jukeboxjoe · #9 08-24-2012, 01:54 PM

If you do have the option of recording 3 tracks at a time, use 2 mics AND record the pickup. Then listen back to different combinations to see what suits you best.

Ty Ford · #10 08-24-2012, 02:33 PM

If your mics sound brittle, get new mics!

Which ones do you have now?

Regards,

Ty Ford

cmac · #11 08-24-2012, 04:57 PM

The older ones are Behringer C2s, which do a fine job for what they cost. The new one is an AT4021, and the extra cost definitely shows in detail and smoothness. I made a recording using all three and it sounds decent enough for a first attempt.

Ty Ford · #12 08-24-2012, 05:15 PM

Colin,

Nice rendition! Yes, I hear the tizz. You might try my favorite el cheap LD mic.

http://tyfordaudiovideo.blogspot.com...enser-mic.html

That way, if you don't like it, you can give it to your dog as a chew toy.

Regards,

Ty Ford

cmac · #13 08-24-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

Colin,

Nice rendition! Yes, I hear the tizz. You might try my favorite el cheap LD mic.

http://tyfordaudiovideo.blogspot.com...enser-mic.html

That way, if you don't like it, you can give it to your dog as a chew toy.

Heh! If only I had a dog... I do, though, have a MXL-990 LD mic, relatively cheap, but it doesn't do so well with the guitar and it's really for vocals. I reckon if I was to get another microphone it would be another AT4021. I know they aren't top grade kit but they are easily good enough for the kind of recordings I have in mind.

Ty Ford · #14 08-24-2012, 05:59 PM

Colin,

Actually, any AT mic in the 40xx series is their best.

Play on!

Regards,

Ty

bbrown · #15 08-24-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jukeboxjoe

If you do have the option of recording 3 tracks at a time, use 2 mics AND record the pickup. Then listen back to different combinations to see what suits you best.

So, if my current preamp/interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2) has only 2 channels, would it make sense to use a mixer, like Colin has done, blending the 3 signals to find the percentage of each that sounds best?

Or would a 4 channel interface laying down 3 tracks (2 mics and the pick-up) create a more pleasing layered sound?

Apologies for the simple-minded questions here.......

--Bill