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.

Similar Messages

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ghastly digital distortion while recording

    I ran into a really bad problem tonight when trying to record and could use some sage advice.
    I'm getting a lot of digital distortion when recording any audio on any audio track using either of the mic inputs on my Presonus Firebox interface. There's no noticeable distortion when monitoring the recording using hardware monitoring through the Firebox, but it's very noticeable on playback.
    I've confirmed that this is not a gain-staging problem (the Firebox clipping indicator does not come on and the levels going into Logic were all well below -6dBFS), it's not a problem specific to a mic or to any mic, and it's not a mic cable problem either: it happens with DI'd guitars, vocals, you name it. It does not happen when recording an audio instrument, nor does it happen when playing back previously recorded tracks, nor does it happen when playing streaming music. I don't have an easy way of checking the line-level inputs on the Firebox, but if need be I can look into that tomorrow as well. I recorded with the setup successfully this morning, so the problem would have developed this afternoon or evening when I fired everything back up. And, FWIW, since running into the problem tonight I've successfully moved files to and from the Firewire hard drive I record to. If it's significant, I typically hot-plug the Firebox when shutting it down for the evening since it doesn't have a power switch .
    I obviously have a nice long wait on hold with Presonus and / or Apple tech support to look forward to tomorrow, but for the meantime I'd love it if any of you could help me determine whether the problem is with my Macbook or with the Firebox. And if you are in possession of The Answer, please share it with me.
    Thanks,
    Trent

    I've had a problem with going from GarageBand to Logic. Total distortion of audio in playback (didn't record anything new, just played existing audio). The simple fix is to open Audio Hardware and Drivers preferences and uncheck/recheck core audio. The handshake seems to take care of it. Not sure if this applies to you or not. I've a 002 rack for an interface.
    Another topic: The Seatle Logic user group is meeting tomorrow night 8 pm at the University Village Apple Store. Drop in if you can and commiserate with fellow Logicians.
    G5 2x2   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   6.5 gig RAM
    Doug

  • While recording a guitar do not record the output from other tracks

    Hi all,
    I'm an audition/recording newbie. I have Audition CC. I have recorded one guitar track. and now I'd like to record another one. The problem is that when I try to record it the output from the other one gets recorded as well. I do want to hear the output from the first track while recording track 2 but I want only to record my guitar playing in track 2.
    Thank you.

    The basic problem here is not actually caused by Audition, but by your sound device mixer, which appears to be letting you record everything you hear - so that will be the guitar part you are playing, and also the replayed tracks that you've already recorded. In Windows, the fix for this is generally to make sure that the recording source is set to be just the input you are using, and not 'what you hear' or whatever it is on your device. The playback part of the mixer should let you monitor both the wav playback and your source, which is what you need to be doing - it's only the record settings you need to look at.
    If you are using a Mac though, I can't help you because I don't know anything about how they work from that POV, but I'd imagine that it must be similar.

  • 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.)

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Beeping noises while recording with guitar. Help, please.

    I am trying to record with my guitar in Garageband. There is a constant beeping noise in the backround. I have changed the input to the usb port that is hooked up to the guitar. I have read many forums about this problem, but nothing has helped. I really could use help. Thank you.

    Did you ever figure this out? I am getting the same beeps and am at a loss of what to do.
    Thanks
    ~svgklingon

  • High-frequency permanent distortion while recording through Line-In

    Hi Everyone!
    I'm recording music from my MiniDisc Player connected with Audio Cable to Line-In port. I'm using Real Instrumen track for this. When I record or even only listen to the music I hear permanent High-frequency Tone in background. I can record with no problems but my recordings are always accopanied with this distortion. I've checked it out also on Windows (Boot Camp) and there are no such noices. Somebody knows what could help? Maybe it's something with audio drivers?

    In Multitrack view, Options, there is a Monitoring option where you should be able to set Audition Mix to Always.
    This doesn't appear in Edit View.

  • 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-)>

  • Heavy white noise/hiss while recording guitar through audio interface

    I have just purchased a new MacBook pro 2011 (low end 15") and have tried recording with an m-audio fast track audio interface. Unfortunately I'm getting terrible white noise and hiss while recording my guitar. The guitar is plugged straight into the interface using a guitar lead which is then usb connected to my mac.
    I am pretty sure it's not the interface because it's brand new. Also I have tried three different guitars and all have the same out come.
    Please help
    Things that may help diagnose the problem:
    I have installed a new driver.
    When the gain and presence is increased the noise is worse.
    The output is not hitting the red mark.
    Thanks
    Andre

    I had your problem and I resolved it! i have my mic and guitars plugged into my Eurorack UB1202 analog mixer which outputs to my MacBook Pro via Bheringer UCA222 audio interface then back to my mixer and to my headphones/speakers. i noticed a white noise last night while i was working and all I did to fix it was unplug the audio interface from the outside usb hub (closest to the screen) and plugged it into my middle hub. the noise has now stopped and its crystal clear.
    TL;DR try plugging your audio interface into different usb hubs. it worked for me. hope that helps!

  • Listening While Recording Help?

    Hi, I have been useing GarageBand for a while now and have been recording acoustic guitar through both real instrument and electric setting. Now that I'm confident in the program and my musical talent, I want to up the bar a bit by getting a better recourding. The major problem is I would like to listen to myself play while recording. Not being able to hear the effects while playing kinda eliminates the use of them.
    Recording is not a prob, but I get all this noise and I can't figure out how to eliminate it. Especially when I use the preloaded amps and stompbox. Its almost like feedback but not really. I can only explain it as white noise, like the amps are turned up to loud or something.
    My original setup consisted of acoustic recorded via usb webcam mic into GB. As I said this was sufficant until now.
    Things I have done to eliminmate the noise issue:
    * Bought a real microphone connected via built in input cause I thought the webcam mic was either to crappy or to sensitive. *Did Not Work*
    *Bought an M-Audio FastTrack connected via USB.
    Mic/M-Audio/Mac. Sound not quite as bad but can not hear myself play via headphone jack on M-Audio *Did Not Work*
    *Played around with different volume levels on anything I could find dealing with volume. *Did Not Work*
    *Various other things *Did Not Work*
    How can I eliminate the noise, get a clean recording while at the same time being able to listen and hear effects as I play?

    If your able to record through the audio interface, you probably need to turn the monitor on and use the headphones through your computer not the interface. Thats how i do it at least.

  • 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?

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