Test recording, feedback please.

[mr. beaumont]

I'm attempting to enter the world of decent sounding home recording...this is with a Zoom h4n pro, trimmed up with a small amount of reverb in Audacity. I'd love some feedback on what people think.

[TBman]

I think it sounds fine.

[AcousticDreams]

Where you using external Microphones? And if so what kind? Or where you just using the stock mics on the Zoom?

Many Recording engineers have stated that the musician playing abilities is the most important. Following by the sound of the Guitar. Then comes the microphone. Preamps are next in the line of importance...but far down the line until you start getting really critical. The Zoom 4 internal preamps certainly give reasonable results. Both Doug Young and the North American Guitar make their recordings using a great pair of external mics going straight into the Zoom.

One can always improve an audio recording. So many things to consider.
However, I thought you playing skills sounded lovely. Very lively with great dynamic expression. You don't always hear that kind of dynamics these days. And the general tone of your guitar sounded good as well.

There are of course some high end peaks in this recording that could be tamed with mic placement and a little bit of compression. Or possibly moving to a different location where frequencies are flatter. The room, if untreated can have a big effect on frequencies. And or possibly reducing the high end in the reverb as well.

Overall a fantastic start into the recording world!

[j3ffr0]

Sounds like a good. solid recording with very nice playing. I really enjoy that style of music - well done!

[mr. beaumont]

I appreciate you all listening. These comments are helpful.

[Rudy4]

Hi Jeff,
It sounds lovely, and very balanced. My preference is for reverb to be a bit less noticeable, but that's me. Normally if verb is obvious it's too much for my taste.

It would be better if there were video to accompany the audio, otherwise it might be better to post as a Soundcloud file.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Hi Jeff,
It sounds lovely, and very balanced. My preference is for reverb to be a bit less noticeable, but that's me. Normally if verb is obvious it's too much for my taste.

It would be better if there were video to accompany the audio, otherwise it might be better to post as a Soundcloud file.

Thanks, I do agree on the reverb.

My goal is to do some full length recording for SoundCloud, and probably release to YouTube as well...figured a YouTube video would get more hits for a test like this though.

Eventually ill figure out syncing video too...but I'd rather not see so much of myself. I'm still old school, I don't think of music as a visual art.

[Ten]

I thought it sounded awesome. My wife heard me playing it and said “What’s that? It’s pretty!”

[Doug Young]

Sounds very nice to me. My only suggestion would be to look for a better reverb. it's not so much the amount as the quality of the reverb. There are lots of good ones out there, but you may have to look beyond what comes with Audacity.

[rick-slo]

Clarity and tone good. Perhaps a bit more warmth would be nice. Closer mic'ing perhaps. A wider soundstage might be nice but probably won't get that easily with XY mic'ing.

[ljguitar]

Hi Jeff…

I listened to it several times today on just computer speakers, on my AirPods Pro, on my iPad speakers, and the phone.

The arrangement is great, and it sounds good on all my sources.

Couple of questions…

• Did you use the built-in mics?
• If yes, how far away was the unit from the guitar? Positioning?
• If no, what external mics?
• The reverb has been discussed…my wife doesn't even understand the discussion of reverb.
• To her, it's a nice arrangement of a familiar sound, well played and she's happily humming it.

Merry Christmas, Jeff…

[runamuck]

Very beautiful playing and not a bad recording.

I'd like to hear it with a good reverb. My favorite for awhile has been
7th Heaven.

[Daniel Grenier]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'm attempting to enter the world of decent sounding home recording...

Sure sounds like you're there already. Very "decent" indeed.

[mr. beaumont]

Thanks peeps, very helpful.

To answer the question that's popped up a few times, built in mics, and unit was about a foot and a half away from the guitar, roughly aimed towards the 15th fret

[Gordon Currie]

Nice playing and arrangement. That shines through.

The reverb sticks out for me. It is short but a little too present, and doesn't create the right space overall. Try other settings to see how they better support the guitar.

(I would play with a little longer reverb, lower in the mix. You are not playing fast passages that could muddy up a longer reverb sound.)

To me, the guitar sounds a little distant and somewhat bass-shy. I bet you could get a fuller sound by getting closer to the recorder and changing its position.