x
anonymous 28 December 2006

hi there, i play spanish guitar in a uberamateur environment. i have a wamirack esi pro 192 soundcard, Cubase and a sm57, which i know is not the right mic.
so i d like to hear some advice on best mic to use, up to 300 usd, or if in a room like mine (windows, furniture) it d be worth the extra expnese of getting two mics. also the positioning of them ...

finally, what kind of basic tweaks in eq, compression would you think as usually necessary for this instrument?

thanks a lot, i ve been reading the stickies and related threads, but since i ve been a lurker for a while i thought i d ask.

Comments

DavidSpearritt Thu, 12/28/2006 - 11:28

I have comprehensively experimented with recording the classical guitar, being a lapsed player and all. The way to go is a stereo mic, no question, and don't get too close. Most acoustic guitar recording is done with mics stuffed near the sound hole or the fretboard, neither of which make any sound.

Place a stereo mic at least 1m away from the body of the instrument, perpendicular to the plane of the top, so this means about 1m above the ground, if you sit with the instrument tilted slightly up. This technique is the only way to start to capture the glorious mix of the sound radiation from the whole top of the guitar, and to spread this mix across a stereo image.

Add some room mics or a tiny amount of artificial reverb if necessary, ie if it sounds a little dry.

Now in this budget, I would recommend the Rode NT4 stereo mic. It can run on phantom or from an internal 9V battery, and is excellent value for money. I am not sure which if any of the chinese junk mics around might do a similar job, and its not because I am an Aussie, but the Rode is a good investment. Mr Freedman seems to look after his customers and the after sales is good by all reports. I don't own any Rode's yet, but recommend, use and listen to an NT4 often.

If budget is no limiting factor, then a blumlein stereo mic, like the C426 (my favourite) or the SF24 is stunning. I am also loving the Coles 4040 on guitar as well. If you want to hear samples of the Coles 4040 on guitar, properly miked, search for the samples in these threads.

x

User login