This is a really informative video on how to record acoustic guitar. The producer gives a comprehensive run-down of his signal chain, offers a lot of practical advice and tidbits, and gives a number of different sound samples based on mic position and guitar position.
Gear used in video:
- Neumann km-184 microphone
- Kirkland TX acoustic guitar
- B-bend pickup
- Avalon VT 737 preamp
- Focusrite Isa 828 preamp
- Mackie d8b mixer
Techniques & Tips in the Video:
- Get the best guitar you can get
- Use a combination of microphone and built-in pickup – mic is more natural, pickup is a more direct with better low-end sound
- A damp room with no reverb at all is the best
- Mic and position depends on how you choose to play (fingerpick vs chords vs picked) SO TRUE
- For mic check there’s just no standard way, put a mic in front of your guitar, test, move, test, try another mic, test, move, test, EVERY TIME
- Suggested adjusting volume of click track on headphones so it doesn’t get picked up by the mic (I’ve ruined good takes with that myself, great advice!)
- Suggests when recording acoustic guitar play on a carpet without shoes on to cut down on ambient noise
Signal Chain:
- Neumann km-184 mic to
- Aavalon VT 737 preamp
- Guitar pickup (b-bend) to Focusrite Isa 828 preamp
- Both preamps to A/D (analog to digital) converter/mixer: Mackie d8b mixer
- Mackie digital signal to recording software: Steinberg Cubase 4
What rocks about this video:
- Shows ENTIRE SIGNAL CHAIN
- Shows what each signal sounds like separately, and together
- Shows difference in sound between fingerpicking and playing chords with a pick
- Shows difference in acoustic recording sound with different mic positions
- Shows difference in sound when guitar moves, to illustrate why the musician should sit still
- Wikid accent dude