Recording acoustic guitar with microphone

My sound levels are very low when I try to record a guitar - Real Instrument/Acoustic Guitar/Natural settings. I am using a Shure SM58 via an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. My line levels seem very low. Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong?

You probably need to set the gain on the Fast Track quite high and get the mic fairly close, like less than a foot.
I usually like to use two mics for acoustic; one dynamic, like the SM58, and one condenser. Or a condenser and a line-in (I like the Dean Markley ProMag Grand soundhole pickup.)

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Recording acoustic guitar with irig

I have a little annoying problem:
I have irig, I connect my guitar to the ipad. If I choose the guitar amp track, everything works fine.
However when I try to record anything (including the clean guitar) from the voice recorder, the resulting track also includes the output from other tracks. So for example if I turn on the the metronome and record than I can hear clicking in the track, which obviously should not be the case. Like I mentioned if I change the track to a guitar amp, then everything is OK and there is no feedback. Also I have everything on the earphones, so there is no way anything is leaking from the speakers to the guitar mic.
I tried looking for some settings but I haven't found anything. This is annoying though, since I cant even record the clean vocal without heaving other sounds in the background.
Anyone has similar problems? I'm using the first generation ipad.

GarageBand (1) only supports a single track at a time for recording. You could do what you want in GB2, up to 8 audio tracks (and 1 MIDI track) at the same time.
GB2 really is a great upgrade from version 1, but if you're determined to stick with version 1 you could record the 1 stereo track, then copy the region to a second track, set the pan on each and the EQ on each. This would be the easiest method, you could get more complex, but this should work well enough.
--HangTime [Will Compute for Food] B-)>

Microphone for recording acoustic guitar -- any recommendations?

My budget is under $400, Thanks!

Christian Henson wrote:
For what it's worth ( I don't know what these fetch on eBay) I use a Coles 4038 in conjuntion with a Neumann KM184, make sure they're very close to each other avoid phase problems and they've got air between the player and the mic's.
Very nice. I use a KM184 and a Royer R122, although I tend to use them farther apart as a general rule. But yes, ribbon mics... that's the way records are supposed to sound!
Most small and large diaphragm mics under the 700 price point tend to have WAY too much "zing" on their frequency curve. You think they sound great upon first using it, but once you start stacking up tracks with it, it starts to sound like a pack of bees swarming around your studio
Regarding the question, has anyone used the blue mics...
I played a session 2 weeks ago, and the engineer mic'd my acoustic guitar with two of the blues... the Kiwi model, perhaps. It sounded excellent, and based on that one experience, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend those mics.

Recording Acoustic Guitar

I'm going to be doing some acustic guitar recordings using and wanted to find out from some of you other acoustic musicians what type of EQ settings, Logic plug-ins, etc., that you use. I'm kind of new at this and am looking for suggestions of methods to try.
Thanks.

Be aware that when using two mics in this fashion they must be in phase with one another. Normally by positioning them the same distance from the guitar will achieve this. Sometimes it's a little more tricky.
Normally if I'm gonna use two mics on an acoustic, I would use a coincident pair. Preferably two of the same kinds of mics (matched stereo pair when possible) and cross them over one another at 90 degrees. Making sure the actual capsules of the mics are directly next to one another meaning the sound will arrive at both mics at the same time. This should stop any phase problems. by pointing one towards the body and the other towards the neck you should be able to get a fairly good picture of the full tone of the guitar.
See this site:
http://www.dpamicrophones.com/
For some GREAT info on stereo micing techniques. The technique I badly tried to describe is known as the X-Y Technique, it is shown there recording acoustic guitar.
If you do not take notice of the phase differences between the mics you will likely end up LOSING low end frequencies when adding a second mic in, rather than gaining them. Also by using two different microphones you will get a skewed stereo image of the guitar if you try to pan them apart, L-R.

Unwanted distortion while recording acoustic guitar

While recording acoustic guitar in GB, I often get unwanted distortion. I am relatively new to GB and unsure where to go.

Thanks for letting us know - for the next one with a similar problem.

Best way to mic/record acoustic guitar in song with wide dynamic range

Hey Everyone,
I'm currently working on recording an original song for acoustic guitar and voice. I'm running into trouble though because the guitar part for the verse and refrain are both quiet and understated, but I have this bridge section I do that is very loud. I'm mic-ing my guitar with an AKG 200 Perception Large Diaphragm condenser mic (round-about the 12th fret), and also via my built-in-mic in my guitar, both of which I run directly into my Presonus Firepod. I then record on two tracks at the same time, one for the AKG, and one for the built in mic. But, I'm having to set the sensitivity so low so as not to clip/distort during the loud bridge that I'm just getting a poor sound on the quiet verses and refrains. What's the best way to deal with this? Have a pair of tracks for the quiet parts, and a separate pair for the loud parts? But then I end up with an inconsistent guitar sound.... I'm really fairly new to both the recording process as well as Logic Pro 7. ANY AND ALL suggestions and/or resources are welcome! Thansk very much.
David
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2.0 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM, Logic Pro 7
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2.0 GHz Processor, 2 GB RAM

Hi David,
When you say "you're getting poor sound" when it's turned down, is it really poor sound? Or are your ears favoring the other because it's louder? This is a common mistake with beginners. Louder isn't better, it's just louder.
You may need to experiment, but the first thing I would do is move the mic back a bit. Give your guitar some room to develop its sound, before it hits the mic. This will not only make the guitar sound more natural, but will buy you a little room with dynamics.
Normally, compressors are used to help tame the dynamics of a thing like this, but if you do not have decent quality hardware compressors, I would be patient, and find the best "middle ground" you can.
Keep in mind, when mixing, you can use automation and compression to even out the sections somewhat. Don't expect it to "go to tape" dynamically perfect. It doesn't always work that way.
But you could certainly record this is 2 sections, just make sure the ONLY difference is in the level of the pre-amps going to Logic. Make sure the guitar/microphone distance stays the same.
Then when mixing, you have control over the levels of the different sections, and for all intensive purposes, they should sound the same... meaning the same guitar in the same room... just played louder/softer, which by itself is two totally different sounds. Don't expect the softer parts to sound like the louder parts. they simply can't.. and more importantly, they shouldn't. That's the beauty of any acoustic instrument.

Can I Record My Acoustic Guitar With The Built-in Mic?

Hi everybody!
I've been wondering that can i record the acoustic sound of my guitar with the built-in micro in my Powerbook G4?
Because my guitar doesn't have the out-put port for the cable that's why i want to use the Mic included in the PWB or the one built-in in my webcam(with USP port)....
Could anybody tell me how to set it up please?Thanks for your helps.
ibook G4 8oomhz 640mb Mac OS X (10.3.9)

By Default your PowerBooks should be ready to record with the PB's Built-Mic. just create a New Basic Track and hit record.
--HangTime [Will Compute for Food] %-|>

Recording Audio (vox, acoustic guitar) with Click Track Only in Headphones

Is this possible? I have an M-Audio 410 with one mic recording both my vox and acoustic guitar. I also have headphones connected to the 410. Can I set it up so I hear the click thru the headphones, but not thru the monitor so it isn't recorded along with my vox ang guitar? Something needs to be turned on, off--I'm a little (more than a little) slow.
Thanx, everyone

Well, I turn them back on to give a quick listen here and there, but usually not until I am ready to begin mixing. That's what I have them for in the first place. I do leave them on if I am not using a mic. I record bass direct, and I just got a Vox ToneLab, so I won't need to mic my amp any longer. Drums are midi, so I guess only vocals & acoustic guitar will need the monitors turned off from now own. Even leaving them on, I still record using headphones so I can hear everything clearly.

Which M-Audio Interface to record acoustic guitar?

Hi, I've been using Garageband for over 2 years and am currently switching to LE8. I used the USB Samson mic primarily for my recordings and am thinking of upgrading to better equipments. I record mostly my acoustic guitar which has a plug-in.
I am thinking of getting a Shure Sm57 together with either
1) M-audio Firewire Solo - http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo.html
2) M-Audio Fast Track USB - http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackUSB.html
I'm hoping to spend as little as possible. Does anyone know if these hardware are compatible with LE8? And which one should I get?

If I were you I'd get a FireWire Solo interface. First, FireWire is a more stable and reliable connection than USB (believe me, I have used both for recording and USB has regular glitches compared to FW, which has none). Secondly, FW Solo has inputs on the front panel which is more comfortable for recording, while FastTrack doesn't. Third, have a look at the first input on the Solo's front panel. It's designed for the Mic plug.
Both devices have Mac OS drivers, so both are compatible with Tiger/Leopard and hence with LE8.

Ipod nano 6th: no voice recorder despite headphones with microphone

Hi there!
I have got an ipod nano 6th that is working ok, but when I use my headset with microphone, the voice recorder app still does not show up. It can't be the headphones as 1) I have tried several ones with microphones on the nano and none makes the app appear, 2) the very same headphones manage to trigger appearence of voice recorder in other ipods. So it must me my ipod nano. Any ideas, suggestions, experiences? BTW: it used to work in the past on this nano...so no idea why it stopped.
Thanks!
Bettina

Hello Bettina,
I would be concerned too if the Voice Memos app stopped appearing on my iPod nano. I found some steps I recommend to troubleshoot an issue like this.
First, I recommend verifying that the Voice Memos icon is set to be visible on your iPod nano. If you go to Settings>General>Home Screen, make sure you see the switch set to On next to Voice Memos. You can find more information about this on page 15 in the iPod nano (6th generation) User Guide.
If you are still not able to see the Voice Memo icon after verifying that, I recommend resetting your iPod nano (from page 52 of the iPod nano User Guide):
Reset iPod nano:
First, make sure iPod nano is charged. Then press the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Down button for 6 seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
The final step would be to restore your iPod nano if Voice Memos is still not appearing. You can find steps to do this on page 56 of the User Guide.
You can find the iPod nano (6th generation) User Guide here:
iPod nano (6th generation) User Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPod_nano_6thgen_User_Guide.pdf
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

The Simplest way to record acoustic guitar/vocals

I'm no musician, but I have a MBP C2D and I want to record my grandpa playing guitar and singing with GB. He won't be around forever and all I want to do is preserve some of his music for our family.
Can someone please tell me what I need to acomplish this? He doesn't even have an electric acoustic so we'll have to buy a pickup for it because he insists on using his guitar.
I don't have a lot of money to spend after buying the MBP so just let me know what the essentials are for this one.
Thanks in advance!

Assuming you have the mic already, we can easily stay under $100.
This Behringer Mixer is about $30.
If you don't have a mic, then take a look at this Studio Condenser Mic with USB Output for about $80 (nothing else needed)
And of course there's the mic built-in to the laptop, but quality there will be lacking.

Do you have to use an audio interface when you record a guitar with garageband on an iPad Air?

I've been looking into getting an iPad Air through a new cell phone contract. The only reason I want it is so that I can start recording my own music. I don't want to have to buy an audio interface however, so I'm just wondering if I really need one.

Josh, there really is no good way in and out of the iPad for recording audio without some sort of interface. There are a broad range available, some starting under $100.

Help with this acoustic guitar sound.

Hi guys,
Having a break from recording vox for a bit. So now on to recording acoustic guitars
I need some help with this acoustic guitar i recored today, it sound ok? but needs help. I'v messed about with EQ but still not happy .
I'v put the recording up as a quicktime movie so you can see mic positions. Processing so far is a bit of compression and a dab of EQ cutting 500 Hz and reverb. Mic is a SE-Z5600.
The performance is far from perfect as this was a once through take for sound tests. Also the sync goes out between the audio and video no idea why
Any help would be great.
John
http://www.gradeaguitartuition.co.uk/hidden.htm
Message was edited by: john boswell1

John,
Hearing it back from a compressed file obviously is going to "skew" things a bit, but I actually fail to see what you don't like about it.
Here's the thing...
When the guitar is good (sounds like yours is), and the player is good (which you are), THAT"S the sound of the guitar.
Yes, mic choice, mic placement, mic pre-amps, size of the room, etc, all play a part, but here's the best kept secret in the biz...
All those things I just mentioned play the smallest part. Don't believe me?
Record that guitar with you playing, with 5 different mic, 5 different mic pres, in 5 different rooms, and you'll be stunned at how similar they all sound. Sure there will be various sonic differences, but those differences would be pale in comparison to a different player playing a different guitar.
Hmm, why not move the mic a bit more to the center hole of the guitar and >get a bit closer.
I would suggest NOT doing this, because of the proximity effect of placing a mic to close to the sound source, unless the mic was set in an omni pattern, and even then, I suggest against it, because a guitar is made to project tone, and when you stick a mic within an inch or two of it, you "choke" all that tone, and it's a very microscopic view of a intended bigger picture.
The "safest" place to place a single mic on an acoustic guitar, is out about 7 or 8 inches, from the 12th or 14th fret. You'll find a very balanced tone here. It's certainly not the only place to out a single mic, but it's the "tried and true" method, that will produce predictable and useable results everytime.
Other than that, a small diaphragm condenser mic will generally sound better on an acoustic guitar than a large diaphragm mic, like the one you're using. Again, that's a safe generalization... not to be written in stone, but will always produce good results.
I think you're recording sounds good. It sounds like you, playing your guitar. Isn't that the goal?

Record voice with microphone into local file.

I would like to build a small application in AS3 adobe Air so that my users can record their voice with microphone.
I know there is a Microphone class but I don't know if AS3 adobe Air allows to record the voice into a file locally.
Is that possible to do so with AS3 adobe Air?
Do I absolutely need Flash Media Server or is there a way around?

The Microphone class doesn't allow access to the bytes that are being streamed. Join the cause to open the access! http://www.getmicrophone.com/
Although, you can accomplish this by using a streaming server I believe. I've not yet experiemented with just audio recording, but I have with video/audio recording and that works just fine.

Loaded Garageband 2009--Lightsnake acoustic guitar recordings sound BAD!

Hi All--
I used to use Garageband 2008 to record my acoustic guitar with my Lightsnake and all was well. The recordings were crisp and clean. Since loading Garageband 2009, the recordings sound horrible, very tin-ny, with lots of static and slight feedback. They almost sound distorted. I tried it on another computer with Garageband 2008 and it sounded fine. Am I missing something on the settings? Can anyone help?
THANKS

Sounds like the problem is happening before the mac. Who makes the acoustic pickup and what model is it. Also how are you connect to the mac adapter or interface?

Recording acoustic guitar with microphone

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