Acoustic Sound, i have a feeling that... Options

[mrben]

nobody really records live instruments on this forum?? r atleast not with garageband. I recently got into garage band which is great and I love all the setting I can make for my guitar... however an nice clean acoustic sound I have not been able to get. It always sounds to quite or something compared to everything else... anyone got any tips how I can get a fuller richer sound? Are there any more plugins I should try. I am using a mic if that makes any difference?
cheers!

[PhilTrueman]

Well mrben, you've chosen one of the hardest instruments to record live. There are whole volumes on how to record acoustic guitar - especially through a microphone.

I think the latest Computer Music magazine gave some tips on how to record acoustic guitar - the microphone can be in any position - but the most favours is a little forward of the sound hole. But you have to experiment. Sometimes a hard surface (eg a wooden floor) under the player helps - but you have to experiment. As always - record as loud as you can (without clipping) then volume down in the mix. Then mess about with EQ, compression, effects etc. Usually you can get somewhere - but, a good recording to start with is invaluable.

I recently put acoustic guitar into a song in LogicPro. It wasn't through a mic - it was from my Yamaha APX4 and it was plugged in through a mixing desk. Even so - to get a decent sound to begin with took some fiddling with the EQ on the guitar and the EQ on the mixing desk. After recording - the track has had compression applied, some further EQ and GuitarAmpPro put on top. It's okay - but I could still spend hours getting it 'just right'.

It's luck, hard work and patience (not necessarily in that order).

Have you thought about using loops???

Sorry - bad joke.

Anyway - good luck

PT