Recording Acoustic

[jgreenwd]

I have recently added to my mic locker and am trying to get some decent acoustic tones. If you can spare the time, have a listen. I'm open to all opinions. There are plenty of inconsistencies between the performances, but I do what I can. All recordings were made with the mic approximately 6" from the sound hole. The mics are listed in the description.

Thanks for your time!

https://soundcloud.com/jgreenwd/summertime-mic-comparison

[colejustesen]

https://soundcloud.com/jgreenwd/summertime-mic-comparison

Here you go!

I really enjoyed the playing and the idea was cool for sure! As far as the different microphones that you used I preferred the MXL 550 and 551 portions. I personally feel that a blend of those two together would be ideal. The 550 would lend more of the solid, clear (not boomy) low end as well as the airy highs and the 551 adding more of the mid character. As far as the Behringer/Nady mix, I was not a fan. It sounded bloated and boomy and a bit boxy that seemed to cover the nuances of your playing. The MXL V67G was very middy, but with better bass than the Behringer/Nady setup. I personally didn't like the V67G for that clip.

Overall the 550 and 551 seemed to capture the sound the best.

Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed the playing

EDIT: After listening again, I feel that some added presence might help with all the portions, but not much more.

Cole

[jgreenwd]

Thanks for the listen and the critique!.. and for the embed :P

I think I'll give it another go when I get around to changing strings. I think those have been on there since December. I was fully expecting the V67G to be the best sounding of the bunch. Alas, not so. For the record, the Behringer/Nady combo cost $25 between them. So, I'm not heartbroken that they don't sound stellar. :P I tried the 550/551 combo, but it just didn't have any bottom end. I'm a horn player, so I naturally gravitate towards darker tones. I'm sure my cheapy monitors are playing into this as well. It sounds VERY different through my ... cheapy headphones. I probably need to give Loop a call sometime soon!

Thanks again!

[jgreenwd]

I upgraded from a Line6 Toneport UX2 to an RME Fireface 400. I don't know if it's made much difference in my recording yet,
but I can certainly hear a difference in my listening experience. Anyway, here are 2 tracks using the Fireface. Hopefully the
links work out.

A Bagatelle from Schumann on steel string acoustic. I believe my heater is running in the background. So, there may be
a bit of noise there. MXL 551 about 18" away from the soundhole, but pointed towards the neck.
https://soundcloud.com/jgreenwd/bagatelle

An etude from Sor on nylon string acoustic. MXL 550 about 18" away from the soundhole, straight towards the guitar,
but slightly off axis, as I move a bit when I'm playing.
https://soundcloud.com/jgreenwd/sor-op60-nr2

There's no EQ on either recording.

[colejustesen]

Both of those tracks sound less constricted and more detailed. I am not familiar with the two mics you are using, but I think you got yourself a great interface. Those RME units sound great in all the recordings I have heard of them.

I could only imagine how great these tracks would sound with the appropriate post-processing done to them. I really think that your recording sounds better.

Cole

[jgreenwd]

Cool! Thanks for the help, again.

The RME is pretty awesome. Just using it for listening with my music collection, I'm hearing parts that I never heard before! I'm not exaggerating. I was listening to Extreme III the other day. That CD came out in '92 and I've listened to it more times than I can count. I knew there were some organ solos, but I never heard the comping bits in the background before. So, I'm very impressed with the Fireface.

The MXL 550 (LDC) & 551 (MDC) are part of a 2-pack recording set. They're available VERY cheaply. I picked up both of them for $45 shipped new (with a coupon). They look to be repackaged MXL 910 and 991 mics. I did some vocal stuff for work with the 550 back in August that turned out nicely. I picked up another pair of them to mod. For that price, why not?

[colejustesen]

Cool! Thanks for the help, again.

The RME is pretty awesome. Just using it for listening with my music collection, I'm hearing parts that I never heard before! I'm not exaggerating. I was listening to Extreme III the other day. That CD came out in '92 and I've listened to it more times than I can count. I knew there were some organ solos, but I never heard the comping bits in the background before. So, I'm very impressed with the Fireface.

The MXL 550 (LDC) & 551 (MDC) are part of a 2-pack recording set. They're available VERY cheaply. I picked up both of them for $45 shipped new (with a coupon). They look to be repackaged MXL 910 and 991 mics. I did some vocal stuff for work with the 550 back in August that turned out nicely. I picked up another pair of them to mod. For that price, why not?

I totally believe you on the overall sound of your setup. I just recently upgraded my Focusrite interface to a newer Focusrite interface and I am in awe of how much better my music collection sounds through my monitors. Not only do I get better recorded tones, but I am getting great playback too! So, I totally believe you; however, I probably don't have as nice of a sound as your RME. Those units are in a whole different league!

I looked up the mics after you posted your new clips, and those are pretty darn affordable. I just recently ordered a Superlux S241 which, from my reading, is the same unit as the CAD e70. This is a pretty affordable SDC, that I got for $106 shipped. I am excited to get this mic and use it with my new interface. Hopefully, I can get as good of detail as you did in the two newest clips you posted.

I would love to hear more from you, as you are a great guitarist, and I love the sound of nylon string acoustics! Thanks for sharing your talent

Cole

[jgreenwd]

Wow... I'm humbled! Thanks, man!

[colejustesen]

You are welcome sir! I appreciate great guitar playing!

Cole

[jgreenwd]

New clip!

https://soundcloud.com/jgreenwd/mic-test

1. Shure Unidyne III 545D for baseline (predecessor to the SM57)
2. MXL 550 w/ MP-V57 mod & KCM 35mm (K67) LDC capsule
3. MXL V67G w/ KCM 35mm (K67) LDC capsule
4. both MXL's with a hi pass filter at 95Hz

Guitar is an Ovation Celebrity CC28.

I modded the LDCs primarily for vocal use. However, I wanted to try them out with the acoustic.