Microphone Placement on Acoustics

[madvora]

I just got a new microphone and I'm working on where to place it to record an acoustic guitar the best.
I'm very new at the microphone thing, so I'm doing a lot of trial an error.

Right now I'm getting a lot of bass where ever I place it.
I'm trying it about 1 foot to 1.5 feet away, from slightly higher than the sound hole to below the sound hole, to straight on.
I need some advice to get a clear sound and level out some of the bass I keep getting

- I looked through some of Keith's microphone posts, but I didn't see anything clear about this.

This is what I'm using by the way - the MXL 990
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/273166/

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/27/273166.jpg

[ValveTronix]

Here is what i would do.

Put the 990 about 5 foot off the ground, and behind you. Point the 991 twoards the 12th fret, about an inch and a half away. Have someone move the 990 around untill you get it exactly how you want it.

The sound hole really isnt what puts out sound in an Acoustic.

[Katau]

Madvora,
You're going to LOVE those mics for accoustic recording. The reason its boomy is because its probably too close to the hole. I put the 901 pointing directly at the 12th fret straight on about 1 foot away, panned hard left. Then I put the 900 perpendicular to the bridge pointing at about 20 degree AWAY from the hole, panned hard right.
It's funny you mention this because I just recorded some classical with this setup about 20 minutes ago.
http://www.soundclick.us/fastkG/09/05/freemp3/davidkatauskas+caprichoarabeserenata.mp3
The only thing, literally, was to put on some verb. I'd really like to hear how your stuff comes out with this setup.

[Slipstream]

Boominess comes from "proximity effect". This is remedied usually by moving the mic out away from the sound source. To remain in the "near field" you should be within a distance equal to the length of the guitar body (about 24"). To avoid phase problems the second mic should be at least three times the distance away as the first. That would be for the kind of mics you have shown there. If you used a matching pair (like two of the 991s) then an option would be the xy config. Here are a couple diagrams:

http://www.alvarious.com/graphics/XYMicTech.jpg http://www.alvarious.com/graphics/xy.jpg

[madvora]

Madvora,
You're going to LOVE those mics for accoustic recording. The reason its boomy is because its probably too close to the hole. I put the 901 pointing directly at the 12th fret straight on about 1 foot away, panned hard left. Then I put the 900 perpendicular to the bridge pointing at about 20 degree AWAY from the hole, panned hard right.
It's funny you mention this because I just recorded some classical with this setup about 20 minutes ago.
http://www.soundclick.us/fastkG/09/05/freemp3/davidkatauskas+caprichoarabeserenata.mp3
The only thing, literally, was to put on some verb. I'd really like to hear how your stuff comes out with this setup.

Hey Kat,
The reason I bought the things is because I actually saw your recommendation on Musiciansfriend.com

Thanks a lot for this information guys. This is great.

[Katau]

Hey Kat,
The reason I bought the things is because I actually saw your recommendation on Musiciansfriend.com


:o I am extremely flattered...I truley appreciate the confidence. Hearing your work, I am conviced you will crank out some awesome material with your new toys.

[madvora]

Ok I need some more help on this. No matter what I do, my recordings sound like crap. Having the 990 anywhere near the guitar creates way too much of a boom.
I tried putting it on my right about the hight of my head while I was sitting down and pointing the 991 at the 12th fret. That eliminated the booming, but the recording didn't sound too good.
Any other advice. I'm trying everything. Could it be the guitar?

[Slipstream]

Try draping the mic over your left shoulder (if you play right-handed).

[fused]

I just purchased the MXL mic set in the first post.... Good mics, sound great. Thanks guys :)

I'm just starting to work with these and thus far, the 990 at the 'F' hole of an L5 and the 991 where the fretboard meets the body....not too bad. A sound guy led me down this path....

Considering an L5 isn't exactly a true acoustic...in a sense.... It uses the johnny smith pups which I would prefer for that guitar anyhow... But it was a good place to experiment with the mics. Didn't sound too bad once I got it mixed.

Also did about the same with a classical guitar...it sounded even better.
A true acoustic made a huge difference...as I had expected it would.

The reason I purchased the mics was for a 12 string guitar for which I'm still on the hunt. I haven't liked the electronics on any of the 12s that I've tried so far...and I've played dozens from ranges of $300 to about $2000. So I figured, while I was already in the store, get the mics ready...cause thats the way I'll record this guitar.

As for the 12 string, and definitely not for the lesser price as I'm willing to pay more...but I'd want more in return, I really like the sounds of an Alverez 12 string.
It just rings out like none of the others seem to do. For under $500 a decent 12 can be had... I don't know what it is, but the more expensive 12s just sound very dead in comparison. I want a 12 that sounds alive....

Anyhow, thanks again...these mics will get the job done with great ease. Lots of experimenting is in order....but one evening with these things and I can already tell that they are extremely capable.

fused

[Katau]

Can you post some clips? That will help.