Skip to main content

I'd really like to hear the community's views on this difficult subject. What are you're favourite stragegies:

Spaced pair: big stereo image but big also on phase cancellation problems?
X/Y: No phase problems but unexciting and narrow stereo image?
ORTF: Happy medium?

How far away from the guitar? 6"? 12"? 18"? 24"? Angled up/down?

This for a solo steel strung guitar (small bodied spruce/rosewood Martin) so there's no "sitting in the mix" considerations. A natural, sonorous and spacious sound is paramount.

I'd really welcome some views. Thanks.

Comments

anonymous Tue, 11/02/2004 - 16:54

I've done it all (or at lease most of it), and it all sounds good if done right. I don't get caught up in a particular technique or mic/preamp combo anymore. Now I just let the songs tell me what they want (space/reverb, tonal balance, size of stereo image, etc.). Then I try to create that sound using the tools and techniques available to me.

anonymous Tue, 11/02/2004 - 18:02

I dont think there is one particular answer. Depends alot on the room and guitar and new strings help. Some times i get good results with x/y, other times i have a mic about 12 inches away from the guitar pointed at where the neck joins the body. I have also just started placing a piece of hardboard under a chair and placing a single mic over my right shoulder. In the mix i have also tried doubling the track and panning one hard left and the other hard right. Good luck

anonymous Wed, 11/03/2004 - 00:12

This is how I usually do this:

One single mic (yes it will be mono) placed where the neck begins at body, angled down towards the hole (not directly at it) from about 20-30cm (8-15"?)
or placed a closer to the hole, directed towards the neck,
depending on the sound you want and the guitar itself.

Angle about 45-60 degrees. I think... never measured it.

The stereo set up for this would be x-y pointing at named places.