AA - Week 6 - Acoustic Guitar Recording

This week we had to record an acoustic guitar, which was an exciting prospect as I've always wanted to know how to do this properly.

In the first recording, we had used a Neumann U89i angled up towards the sound hole. I didn't really like this sound as it was a tad bassy (which we could have fixed via roll off function on Avalon if we were using it) and it also sounded to me just a bit average.











You can listen to the recording HERE.

The second recording was with the same microphone, except this time it was pointed straight towards the frets. I didn't particularly like this sound either, to me theres was too much top end now, although there is a higher dynamic range than the first recording.










You can listen to the recording HERE.

For the third recording we once again used the U89i, except this time angled down on the guitar, I found this result sounding too similar to the first, which is not to my liking.










You can listen to the recording HERE.

For the fourth recording we once again used the U89i, except this time as a room mic. This recording once again does not sound very nice at all.










You can listen to the recording HERE.

The final recording was my favourite, and was done with two Neumann KM-84i's in the X-Y position, as you can see by the picture. To me this sound had the best and clearest dynamic range and sound.










You can listen to the sound HERE.

This was a good exercise and I have gained some good knowledge on the best ways to mic up an acoustic guitar. In the future I will most likely utilise the X-Y technique.

Stephen Fieldhouse. “Audio Arts”. Tutorial at EMU, University of Adelaide, South Australia. 3rd April 2007.