recording acoustics

[Tony]

I realised today that I have only recorded electric guitars and basses, keyboards and vocals on the MBR and I was thinking about recording some stuff from mandolin and ukulele and perhaps even acoustic guitar.  I was wondering if those of you that regularly record acoustic instruments use the built in mic or a transducer or something like that.

If you mike the acoustic instrument, what has given you good results?

[Greeny]

It's the in-built mic all the way for me. Stick it on a table and play standing up, so the soundhole is level with the BR. Use 'Onboard1' on the mic effects and see what happens... 

You can also experiment with some combined mic and lead recording if you have an acoustic. Just press 'GTR' and 'MIC' on the input at the same time. Use a little of the GTR signal to add some colour / depth to the mic part of the recording. But make sure you change the effects on BOTH the GTR and MIC inputs first.

[Tony]

I'm beginning to see what you mean.  I have a Sony stereo condenser mic left over from a minidisc and find that when I use that it records at a significantly lower volume than the built-in mic. 

I'm still interested to see if people get good results from a transducer/bug pickup on an acoustic instrument.  I don't own one but if some people do get good results then it's a reason to go out and buy one.  I once tried to get a floating neck pickup on my mandolin, which would have been perfect, but the Schaller dealer was out of stock and, after twelve months of waiting for them to supply the pickup, the guy who was doing the job for me told them to fuck off.  You gotta laugh, eh?!

[Bluesberry]

I always record my acoustic into the onboard mike.  I think my results are good.  I just posted one I did,  just my acoustic and voice into the inboard mike (Van Diemens Land:Cover).  It sounds pretty good to me.  I  recorded it dry and then added effects after, it is easier to control what you are doing this way (hard to play and attentively listen to the effect sound at the same time).  See thread post for info on this method:
http://microrecorders.org/community/effects/effects-for-steel-string-acoustic-guitar/msg9791/#msg9791

[Tony]

Bluesberry, thanks.  I love the track (Van Diemen's Land), thanks for posting it.  Whoever said Levon Helm was right.  And you have taken this discussion further because the question has got more refined.  If you wanted to balance acoustic instruments with electrics and keys, etc., would you still use the on board mic or would you look to recording the acoustic another way?

I know mileage will vary and experimenting will win the day but this is a discussion, right?  I'd like to hear people's experiences with these options.  Acoustic instruments with electric instruments on other tracks: on board mic or transducer (or something) through line or some other combo?

[Ginger]

Hi all, please forgive as I am complete newbie  I found likewise with my Sony stereo plug in mic from minidisc that it worked better if I turned on the microphone power (is it 2.5v) option, dont know if I am doing something that might damage the unit though.

[hewhoiscalledj]

Hi all, please forgive as I am complete newbie  I found likewise with my Sony stereo plug in mic from minidisc that it worked better if I turned on the microphone power (is it 2.5v) option, dont know if I am doing something that might damage the unit though.

If its a Sony stereo condenser mic, then it will need the 2.5v power turned on. I dont think mine works at all without the power.


As far as recording other instruments along with accoustic, it's good to experiment some. Personally, i prefer mic'ing guitar amps and drums but keys (electronic that is) and bass seem to sound better when plugged in directly assuming theres a decent preamp (or DI box) on the bass that is. Electronic stuff like synths and samplers have line level signals going out so you are good to go with those.

I like mic'ing the guitars because tube amps just have a wonderful character all their own and it's worth capturing how it sounds in the room you record in. When multitracking, i like to close mic the amp with a dynamic mic, and also use a condenser mic about 6' away to add in some room ambience. To be clear, I dont do this much for capturing band rehearsal, but i'm perfecting this technique to record our album. When using multiple mics, i plug them in thru the PA/mixer and send a line out signal from that to the MBR. 

Hope that helps. Give it a shot!

[Bro]

Well i've recorded acoustic instruments a couple of times and, i've just turned up the sensitivity on the mic it does the job for me
 take care