recording accoustic guitar

[junkyardtodd]

hey there! i'm new here, n am on a quest for knowledge! Does Robert ever read n post here?

My last two CD's were intended to be a dynamic blend of accoustic n electric guitars, but I have been unable to get the right accoustic sound recorded, no so they've been more electric than i really wanted.

The acc gtr sound on NMH's 'in the aeroplane...' is my idea of the perfect recorded sound, and i would be grateful for any comments, suggestions, or recollections you can share, re: how you got there.

I have an old Alvarez, which is very similar to a Gibson SJ200, and i love the sound of it. I have Rode, n Oktava condenser mic's, and Joe Meek, n ART preamps with built in compression in each.
I'm thinking of building a structure of blankets around me to deaden the ambience. Should I be going in the opposite direction?

Looking forward to your (or any other knowledgable) response! Thx!

[pepe]

I can't really help you, but I love your name.
Koko best B. Ware

[floating norman]

it sounds like you have some sufficient equipment to get a good sound from your acoustic. i think it has a lot to do with mic-placement, and how you strum the guitar, although i have no idea how r.s. recorded the acoustic guitar for itaots. i've found that a sort of delayed strumming (kind of letting your pick slide down to hit every string individually) gives a fuller sound. also, if you go to joe meek's website, and look for the manual to your preamp, they should have suggested settings for different instruments, then just kind of tweek a bit here and there to your liking. hope that helps a little.:)

[Hilarie]

Hi Junkyardtodd!
I told Robert about your post, so hopefully he will respond to you himself. You have a lot of great recording gear, and I'm sure you will figure it out. I was there for the recording of itaots, and If I remember correctly Robert used a neumann U87 on the acoustic guitar. I could be completely full of shit though because it's been a long time. I think that was it. I don't remember if Jeff was using his acoustic (an Alvarez) or Robert's (a silvertone). I hope Robert will come in here though and help you!!!!!!
Love,
Hilarie

[bubbles]

I suggest you to use an NTK valve microphone, and to place it about a meter and a half far of the guitar.
If the recording room has a nice natural and short reverb, I would take proffit of it. Anyway, I usually do it this way and I get a great natural sound.It also would be very helpful if you record using an analog tape (revox or whatever)

Avoid using compresion during record. It's always better to compress the signal in the mixing phase.

(forgive me if my English is not good, I'm from Spain)

[Little DiSH Z]

ok... I don't want to saound like a total tool here, but Robert, if you read this, i jsut wantt o thank you for all the work that you have done. "The Discovery of the World Inside of the Moone" is the reason i am an aspiring record producer, and i always refer back to your albums for ideas.

I was wondering if either you or Hilarie or whomever has pictures of the old Pet Sounds Studio, or even pics of the new one, as i am starting up my own and i need some ideas as far as layout, etc. And, besides that, i would just be REALLY interested to see waht the inside of that place looks like.

Thanks Bunches
-Alex

[Little DiSH Z]

Originally posted by junkyardtodd
hey there! i'm new here, n am on a quest for knowledge! Does Robert ever read n post here?

My last two CD's were intended to be a dynamic blend of accoustic n electric guitars, but I have been unable to get the right accoustic sound recorded, no so they've been more electric than i really wanted.

The acc gtr sound on NMH's 'in the aeroplane...' is my idea of the perfect recorded sound, and i would be grateful for any comments, suggestions, or recollections you can share, re: how you got there.

I have an old Alvarez, which is very similar to a Gibson SJ200, and i love the sound of it. I have Rode, n Oktava condenser mic's, and Joe Meek, n ART preamps with built in compression in each.
I'm thinking of building a structure of blankets around me to deaden the ambience. Should I be going in the opposite direction?

Looking forward to your (or any other knowledgable) response! Thx!

Strange, i always thought that the guitar sound on NMH stuff is quite albient on its own.

Is the Oktava you have a MK-012? I have one and i LOVE it, but I want an omnidirectional capsule for it, and i don;t know where to buy one on its own.

any ideas?

thanks
-Alex

[junkyardtodd]

Alex, you tool...
just kidding, but i can't figure out how to post the icon w/big sh-eating grin...

the Oktava is a MK219, it sounds ok, but a little fizzy if I hit it too hard, Oktava's are super cheap @ gtr ctr...I want to get the ML52 ribbon mic