Up-down mike recording example

rick-slo · #1 11-11-2011, 10:26 PM

Did a little experimenting with the up down mike position after reading the earlier thread about a setup in a pro studio. I put the mikes about eight inches apart and about fourteen inches out from the guitar soundhole. Both mikes faced the guitar but one mike I angled up about sixty degrees and the other mike down about sixty degrees.

Usually I do not care for mikes this close together and this close to the soundhole usually has too much proximity effect but it worked well with this specific mike orientation.

Here is a recordings. The only post recording addition is a small amount of reverb.

http://dcoombsguitar.com/Guitar%20Mu...eThingDemo.wav

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wcap · #2 11-11-2011, 10:47 PM

This is lovely, wonderful, in multiple ways.

Is that an original piece? Regardless, I love it, and I love the arrangement and how you played it.

(and what guitar is that, by the way - great tone!)

And this is wonderful recording quality (to my ears anyway)!

So why do you think this microphone arrangement works so well? I'm going to have to try this myself, though maybe results will differ because I have a small condensor mic and a large condensor mic, not a matched set.

wcap · #3 11-11-2011, 10:54 PM

And I just listened to some of your music on your web site - great stuff! I'm feeling quite humbled.

rick-slo · #4 11-11-2011, 11:05 PM

Thanks wcap. It is an Albert Mueller S-6 EIR/German spruce guitar.
I am not sure why the mike position worked as it did on this song and guitar though it probably relates in part to the mike's proximity to the guitar (the soundhole area no less) yet the mikes not being overwhelmed due to the mikes being angled away from the guitar. I will have to do more experimenting with other guitars and other songs to see if it has legs.

mesa · #5 11-11-2011, 11:08 PM

Beautiful tune Rick. Your playing seems to be getting better....I don't know how that's possible tho! Are you playing your A&M?

Thanks so much!!

rick-slo · #6 11-11-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesa

Beautiful tune Rick. Your playing seems to be getting better....I don't know how that's possible tho! Are you playing your A&M?

Thanks so much!!

Thanks! Yep the A&M. On the Show and Tell part of the forum it was my Collings C10 - a study in contrasting guitar sounds

Scott Whigham · #7 11-12-2011, 07:19 AM

Very awesome - very, very awesome. Thank you for sharing that. Lovely tune!

It's almost like a sideways spaced pair X/Y config, isn't it?

KevWind · #8 11-12-2011, 08:16 AM

Hey liked the song. Love the floor. Hand scraped knotty alder or cherry ? Any way nice.

rick-slo · #9 11-12-2011, 08:31 AM

Thanks guys.

Sort of, kind of, a vertical ORTF

Hickory floor

KevWind · #10 11-12-2011, 09:43 AM

Ah hickory, nice

Fran Guidry · #11 11-12-2011, 10:35 AM

Good to hear your playing again, Derek.

Fran

ljguitar · #12 11-12-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Thanks guys.

Sort of, kind of, a vertical ORTF

Hickory floor

Hi Rick...
When i saw the pic I thought it was kind of a hybrid between ORTF and A/B only sidewise.

wcap · #13 11-12-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick-slo

....I am not sure why the mike position worked as it did on this song and guitar though it probably relates in part to the mike's proximity to the guitar (the soundhole area no less) yet the mikes not being overwhelmed due to the mikes being angled away from the guitar.....

Yes, I think maybe the close proximity thing is part of what I am reacting to. It sort of sounds like the guitar is right there inside my computer when I listen to this. A very pure guitar sound. As I think about this, it occurs to me that this microphone placement might help to deal with less than perfect home recording spaces since it would maybe reduce the effects of room acoustics.

ljguitar · #14 11-12-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcap

Yes, I think maybe the close proximity thing is part of what I am reacting to. It sort of sounds like the guitar is right there inside my computer when I listen to this. A very pure guitar sound. As I think about this, it occurs to me that this microphone placement might help to deal with less than perfect home recording spaces since it would maybe reduce the effects of room acoustics.

I don't tend to think of 14'' out from the guitar as close mic technique.

For me anything under 10'' is getting close.

It is a nice recording.

sdelsolray · #15 11-12-2011, 12:12 PM

Great playing and recording, as usual!