Riff Of the Week™: Recording Acoustic Guitar

[SmirtDocter]

Well I know what I'll be doing today ;) Thanks so much for your insight mannnn Greatly appreciated!

[thehackney]

What recording software do you use to record two mics? I have a line6 UX2 interface running into my computer and the recording software i use is riffworks. But it will only record one input at a time.

[DAVEWEINER]

@thehackney - I use Pro Tools mostly, sometimes Logic.

[WahTakVong]

Are there like...... cheap microphones ???

[DAVEWEINER]

@WahTakVong - yep. Look at "studio projects" mics for decent starters

[jellevdvegt]

thanks for this!



[fossilbox1991]

haha you cant beat the good ole black tee over a white long sleeve. simple but badass

[heymynameistyler]

other than the mic what do i need?

[woahmanchillurself]

hey Dave, my names nick Boyd, me and a friend are very new to recording and we were wondering if it would be possible to email you with a few questions along the way, if possible email me at nboyd@abingdon.k12.il.us thanks so much, nick

[aqcamaro79]

GOT RIFFS??

[DAVEWEINER]

@aqcamaro79 - onrevolute . com / store

[SmokinBillZ]

Thanks for the insight - very informative video. I'm will be trying the two mic setup.

Honestly... I've never been happy with my mic-acoustic recordings - Lately I've tried a Shure KSM27 thru a DBX 286 preamp - still a little boomy... I'm sure it's me...

Would you suggest going direct and bypass the preamp completely?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[KeithMMeldrum]

good toutorial it helped :) how much does the thin mic cost????

[useAsecond2think]

love this video. you're the man.

[EvilBenson]

What would be the best mic placement for one dynamic mic, when recording vocals and acoustic guitar simultaneously?

[spikethegoth89]

@EvilBenson

probebly best to get yourself a condenser microphone and record both with that

dynamics dont really work too well on acoustic instruments and are very limited in terms of sensitivity and clarity when using them for more them one instrument at a time

[RT101894]

hey dave, i use a direct output from my martin d 16e, and a small diaphragm condenser=]

[chrisphp]

Thanks for the video, it was very informative! =D

[mattlovespeanuts]

hahah, i like this guy.

[thenetslug]

What software do you use to master your acoustic recording? What techniques do you use? Ive heard it was a good idea to keep it as raw as possible with a touch of noise reduction. Any advice would be great! Thanks for the video.

[GroovyGuitar02]

@thenetslug You should definitely try Izotope Ozone . Even if i learned from experience that mastering IS NOT a way to "correct" your recordings . what i'd do ? mix the microphones on 1 track and piezo on another . Add a gentle , nice compression on the piezo so you can hear all the notes clearly ... nothing on the microphone track , then add a sublte compression , a little EQ to clear up the lows , and stereo enhancer and it should sound just fine !

[GroovyGuitar02]

@thenetslug but never compress too much the microphones . Why ? because you hear the room too in those , so it will be messy if you compress it too much . Why compress the piezo on the track , then re-compress on the master ? Because 2 comps always sound richer , better than just one . My sources are : i know a few sound engineers , i've read guerilla home recording (AWESOME book) ... one lesson, never push a cheap mastering VST : it'll sound un-natural :)

[GroovyGuitar02]

@thenetslug but of course i ain't no Dave Weiner . So ... that's my opinion . Feel free to experiment as well !

[dnjmusic]

hey dave im trying to set up recording studio. so tell me if im wrong the singer/ guitarrist plays into the mic then the mic is plugged into the pre amp wich is plugged into the computer??

[DAVEWEINER]

@dnjmusic - mic - micpre - compressor - maybe an eq - converter - computer.

[dnjmusic]

@DAVEWEINER  thank you much

[secretsquirrell13]

hells yeah jim dunlop .60mm my favorites!

[tomeklawreszuk]

I found using Pickup and Mic together is the best option especially with big body guitars, as lows with 2 mics are hard to EQ.

[thewall1971]

Great lesson Bro, gonna get the mics out and play around. Peace...

[shotgunwalter]

Dave, love your fan interaction, you got class and great musicianship.

[rodie1994]

@shotgunwalter ever catch him in clinic? i met him in savannah a couple years back, and you are entirely correct...

[Salinthezone]

Thanks for the great tips!

[adrianthill]

Thanks a lot :D

[xAlexB1993x]

Haha very energetic, but in a good way. You're damn good too, I'm definitely downloading some podcasts.

[sahseeker]

what happened to the A/B of the mics? and the mixed sound? you recorded something, you said.

[eaglewings555]

Yeah where's this at? Is it in the riff? Because it didn't sound that different to me...

[SPOOKYTRACKS]

Thanks for the tips :-)

[iamwong]

really informative.. thanks!

[shuangyang66]

if i wanna record acoustic guitars and add drums later on, should i record the acoustic via miking or plug in. . . . i ask because when i mic an acoustic and add drums later on, i can hear the acoustics of the room and scratching of the pick, which is kind of weird.

[DAVEWEINER]

That's a good thing.

[walkermuz]

AKG414 is great... just bit too expensive T_T

[jerseymover3]

whats up dave...what if you want to sing at the same time your playing guitar? Is the mic still in good placement for both sing and strum or is it wise to record separate tracks? Thanks.

[DAVEWEINER]

There are different options for that configuration. Google it, I'm sure you'll find some good answers.

[helium5279]

it depends on ur mic

id u have an omni-directional mic then it would be OK to record ur vocals and guitar at the same time, just experiment with placement and height.

if u can afford it i would go with 2 mics, but really it depends on the sound u want.

[chuckawobbly]

Cool vid, I always use a DI signal too and phase align later. D.I signal on a good acoustic mixed with two or more mics is a great sounds, especially when dubbed.

[gurra9]

AKG 414 is just wonderful. I've used it before in recordings and live and it's just a dream to work with. Even if the sound guy misses an musical ear he can't make that one sound bad!

At least in my opinion!

[sonido04]

great tip! i love how simply you explained it! but you did for get to mention the "3 to 1" rule when stereo mic'ing.. f the first mic is 1 foot from a source, the second mic should be placed 3 feet from the second mic. Using the 3:1 Rule will minimize phase problems created by the time delay between mics. hope this helps !

sP

[vesspa1986]

Hey! thanks for the video, I have one question, sry to bother you, I own a Martin guitar and I want to record it vintage, like in the old days (50's or 60's) can you give me some advice on this? thank you very much.

[DAVEWEINER]

I'd use one mic in a nice room and record to tape. OR record into your fav. DAW and use a nice tape emulation plug to make it a little noisy as things were back then.

[diegr0]

Hi! thanks for your tips!

I have just one question, I have a MobilePre usb interface connected via Usb to my computer and when I connect my guitar pickup and a Mic, How could I record each onto one track and not both onto the same track?

Thanks

[DAVEWEINER]

2 mics, 2 mic pres, 2 converters, 2 separate tracks with different inputs.

[GildedTermite]

NS-10's? Nice.

[tonypompa]

Hey, where can I listen to what you recorded with each mic?

Secondly, for recording to a computer, do u have any recommendations for an audio interface? Something not terribly expensive. I just bought a Shure ksm27 condenser mic and all I need now is the interface.

Thanks!

[DAVEWEINER]

more info -->

If you're not using pro tools, there are tons of choices for interfaces. For an inexpensive, non-PT interface, I'd probably go with the Apogee Duet if you only need two mic pres.

[alexledzepguy]

I polished my frets with a screwdriver once, got rid of all the gunk but not very good if you have become attached to your neck. Good video.

[atticushero]

Hi Dave,

Thanx for all the info, it's helped a lot, you've cleared up a lot of questions I've had!

I am working on a home demo, and at the moment I only have an sm57 to record my guitar amp with, I was wondering if I could get your opinion on a 2nd mic that would work nicely with the 57 on my amp

I was thinking about getting the Seinnheiser 421, I am trying to go for a "pop genre" sound for my guitar, would they blend well?

Any kind of advice or thoughts would be appreciated!

[DAVEWEINER]

i use 2 57s. That's it. But a 421 will capture more low end. A Royer 121 is a great choice for a different, more mellow tone. Senn e609s are a nice compliment for a bit higher frequencies, etc.

[EliiDisney]

i had a question on the double mic placement you had

do you record each one onto the same track.. or different tracks?

and did you pan each mic to their own individual sides?

and did you duplicate?

[DAVEWEINER]

two mics, two tracks. panning is dependent upon what else is going on in the song. I may duplicate a part, but it's never played the same way twice, and it's usually inverted or done on different string sets, different instruments, etc.

[Smith4842]

Hate to bother you, but could you clear this up a bit?

Your recording each mic on its own seperate track? Or your just putting each mic on it's own track and recording at the same time? I assume the second one. Just making sure. I'm about to start using 2 condensers set up with an interface for my demo.

[DAVEWEINER]

2 mics recorded to two separate tracks at the same time.

[desdavis]

do you pan the 414 and 81 hard L&R or keep them mono

[DAVEWEINER]

try different panning settings to see what you like. MY settings depend on how many acoustic guitar tracks I'm recording, but usually I spread them out.

[linfits]

what was with the wierd salute right at the begining? is that some kind of secret signal?

[DAVEWEINER]

yes, it means go to daveweiner . com / store and buy a record.

[bookick]

do u have an idea of teh price of the 2 mics, and also, what do u feel about stereo micing as far as recoding the direct out. and maybe running that down the center in addition to the two mics left and right?

[DAVEWEINER]

Mic prices vary.. of course. For good mics, you're looking a7 anywhere from 700-1000 up to 2000 - 3000.

Yes blend in a direct if you'd like.

[tiddlywinks98712]

how does the sound from an SM57 compare to these condenser mics?

[DAVEWEINER]

a 57 for acoustic will work to an extent, but to capture the full sonic potential of an acoustic, condensers are a much better choice.

[Redlightjammer]

I got a shure PG81, i like its sound, but...

I wonder if I could make the signal stronger and clean with a DIbox... What do you say?

[DAVEWEINER]

Run it through a nice mic pre.

[zaezae12321]

nice homie thanks for the help

[bubnjarovski]

can i get good guitar with beringer B2 Mic?

can i record it true the ultra voice digital???? because i dont have any other thing?

[AlexAcE1]

I have the cable for my acoustic guitar, to connect it to my computer:) which is the best recording software? To have a best recording:)

You are good, nice lesson, good luck! by Alex-AcE from Transylvania

[DAVEWEINER]

I prefer Protools, but try Logic or anything else first so you don't get sucked into the Digidesign trap.

[7Jimmy7]

dude i want that shirt.where do you get it?

[DAVEWEINER]

daveweiner . com / store

[regjun]

hi dave! u'r a good teacher...& nice tutorial..gud luck! God bless!i'm also a music arranger in the philippines..hope you can help me also some tricks or tips about music..coz i knw u'r better than me...kep n touch,pls.

[xring300]

great lesson! Where is the audio for the small and large cond. mics separate and then mixed?

[DAVEWEINER]

daveweiner dot com / rotw

[xring300]

My bad.....thanks!

[guithearist]

very very good

[sehnsucht77]

wow..dave, great project! keep up the great work.

[Al3XG4rc14]

Priceless Lessons Dave. Thanks a lot.

Best Regards

[persini]

JS pick!!

[buscobanda]

Hey Dave! Nice ROTW very useful man! Man, can you do a riff for the electric sitar that you have? It would be very interesting, and if you can explain hou do the electric sitar works and a cool riff! see ya dave!

[FRETPICK]

Love Wed's!

Total respect dude!

[HemanGarde]

thx dave ROTW RULES!!! 5 stars!!!

[rbfigueira]

Great video :) Thanks

by the way, I was the first to view this video and the first to comment ;)

[uwebassu]

cool stuff.... new season.. NEW SEASON!!!!!!!

[omarzinho3]

yeah...i guess i'm the first comment finally...lol

Well dave let me tell you that your videos have help me a lot...and I admire you...character, knowledge and creativity are just a few things that i have learn from you...

sorry for my english it's kinda crappy but i guess you can understand what i mean...

Bless Jah!!

[Wowter]

thanks dave! you rock! =D

[LennartIbanez]

1th comment:D:D:D

nice vid again!

[LennartIbanez]

first comment:D:D:D:D

nice movie!!

[drumitar]

great vid

[SnareDaniel]

first comment on the first episode of the 3rd season! :]

Thank you dave