[Drew]

Ignoring the Wall 'O Capitalization, that's good advice for any instrument - cut, not boost. It apparently adds less distortion to the signal, but additionally it's easier to create a better overall mix when you're not making different parts louder to make them jump out, but rather removing frequencies you don't need to emphasize the ones you do.

I almost never boost EQ.

[Vince]

Originally Posted by Drew

Dude, your caps lock is broken.

As an update, I've found a set of AKG C1000s's in an X-Y array pointed about an inch over the 15th fret, bass side, sound absolutely phenominal. This is, until I find something I like more, my go-to acoustic micing strategy.

Any of you guys have a lot of experience EQ'ing acosutics in a mix? For now I've been feeding both tracks into the same bus and then applying a master EQ there, but I'm open to other suggestions.

I agree with you, Drew, the 12th-15th fret XY is the best IMO.

I've recorded acoustics on 5 songs on our current project, and the best sound came from using that technique.

I also used another technique that gave a different, darker sound. Instead of recording stereo tracks with two mics, I recorded two mono tracks (separate takes) with 1 mic placed at the 12th fret. Then I recorded two takes with the mic up in the air about 2 feet above the guitar neck, pointing down onto the guitar, aimed at about the 12th fret. When I grouped these 4 takes together, it gave me a really nice saturated acoustic sound that was a little darker than the XY technique.

So I'm using both for differences in texture, but for the future, if I had to choose one technique, it'd be the XY.

[Vince]

Here's a couple examples. This is my kind of acoustic guitar sound. I'm not sure if I've posted these clips before on here anywhere, but these are IMO good examples of what we're talking about.

The first clip is using the XY technique. You're hearing a rhythm acoustic guitar and a lead acoustic guitar, both miked in stereo XY at the 12th fret. This is a short clip from the song "Boundaries" off my next disc:

Media Player

Click here to download.

The second clip is using the other technique I mentioned in my last post, where we're using mono tracks, more takes w/ different mic positions, and layering the takes. Also of note on this clip, I purposely have the guitar set up with bright fresh strings for the highest three, and darker duller 'played' strings for the lower three. I wanted a dark bottom end with a sparkling high for this part. This is a clip from the intro to "Dorian Gray":

Media Player

Click here to download.

Enjoy

[Chris]

Those sound great man. Both a little too bright for my ear, and the bottom end is a lot tighter on the second one than the first, but all in all a good start. The first sounds great on the high end, but there's just not enough low end for my tastes.

[Drew]

Media Player

Click here to download.

Here's a clip of my acosutic tone, first with one mic solo'd, then the other, then both together. It's not perfect, this was done quickly, but you can hear the contrast between the two, and how together it gives you a bit more space. I go for a slightly bluesier acoustic tone than Vince.. His is very clear and "classical," somehow, whereas mine's a lot darker and bluesier.

As always, Vince, those clips kick ass.

[Jongpil Yun]

Originally Posted by TonyFlyingSquirrel

TO ADD TO THAT, TRY RECORDING ONE TAKE WITH YOUR STANDARD PICK, THEN TRACK IT AGAIN USING A JELLIFISH. (JELLIFISH.COM)

IT'S BECOME ONE OF MY MOST VALUED TOOLS FOR RECORDING/PLAYING ACOUSTIC.

Jellifishes give terrible screeching sound on steel strings though. Even though I can't finger pick worth shit, I think the sound of your nails is the best.