WEEK 8 - AA1: Recording Electric Guitar

This week I'm using an Epiphone hollow body guitar (1) and a Roland 50 watt bass combo with tone controls flat (neutral). So I am starting with a fairly clean sound.

Epiphone Sheraton archtop guitar.

Mics used are the trusty Rode NT2 condenser (2) and a TLSA UM 1209 dynamic cardioid (3).

The first 3 takes were recorded with the UM 1209.

Dynamic8Inch.mp3

Take 1: About eight inches from the centre of the speaker. The results I found clean, notes distinct.

Edge5050.mp3

Take 2: Microphone positioned halfway between the edge of the speaker and the centre. Results were more bass, notes blurred in contrast with the clean sound of the first take. Okay for some situations.

Dynamic45Degs.mp3

Take 3: Mic on a 45% angle, just over a foot away, pointing directly at centre. This take really is a cross between the first two to my ears. Clarity of Take 1 but with the earthiness of Take 2.

RodeDistant.mp3

Take 4: Set Rode 10dB pad switch and placed around a metre from the speaker. Results are cumbersome. Too much air and not enough definition. A little closer could do the trick.

DynRodeGroove.mp3

Take 5: I recorded myself playing along with Take 4 using the dynamic mic in the same position as Take 1, panned mics left and right and balanced levels. Touch of reverb on dynamic mic side.

I didn't love the Rode alone but doubling brings it to life somewhat.

ProTools Screenshot of guitar takes. (4)

I prefer the sound of Take 1 because it has the clarity and definition I would look for as a player compared to the other takes which lack the clear highs, although I also enjoy the fuller sound of Take 3. Takes 2 and 4 are too 'woofy' and ambiguous for solo guitar for mine.

This really made clear the extreme differences mic positioning makes.


References

Fieldhouse, Stephen. Audio Arts Tutorial - Electric Guitar. EMU, University of Adelaide, South Australia, May 4, 2007

1/ "Sheraton Archtop Collection." Epiphone Musical Instruments. http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=8&CollectionID=1 (accessed May 4, 2007).

2/ "Rode NT2." Real Image Moving Picture and Sound. http://www.real-image.com/audio/others/rodent2.asp (accessed May 4, 2007).

3/ "Microphones à Fils." TSLA. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.tlsafrance.com/Catalogue.aspx%3Fref%3DS29%26path%3DS27%257C&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DTLSA%2Bum%2B1209%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG (accessed May 3, 2007).

4/ "ProTools LE & M-Powered Systems." Digidesign. "http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?navid=28&langid=61& (accessed May 4, 2007).