RT-201 • Recording Acoustic Guitars

[justinguitar]

Questions...

Lesson Link: http://www.justinguitar.com/en/RT-201-RecordingAcousticGuitar.php

[emby1983]

Hello Justin,

           Recently I purchased some recording equipment and I tried to record my Fender acoustic I have and when I played the recordings the sound was VERY choppy. I am using a PV8 USB mixing board with a SM 57 microphone that is recorded using Reaper software. I have messed around with different distances and volumes and what not and still get that crappy choppy sound. I am afraid of the worse, that it is my sound card. Could it be something else(I hope)? If I play professional music, the sound that is produced isn't the greatest coming out of the built in speakers (laptop) but it doesn't sound all choppy like it does when I record my guitar. If you could help me out on this it would be tremendously appreciated.

                                                                                                                                               Thanks,
                                                                                                                                                  Mark

[Tourniquet]

The audio sample rate is too low.
Download and install the ASIO4all drivers, ensure reaper is using them in settings.
open up ASIO4all settings and increase the sample rate with trial and error until it sounds smooth.

[bunnahowen]

I have a samson usb mike which i plug into reaper. my voice sounds ok and harmonica but the acoustic guitar sounds crap, very boomy and distorted. what am i doing wrong. Even finger picking there is this boom coming from the guitar. Should i be recording the guitar separately. any help gratefully received. cheers. ps seagull mini jumbo in this instance.

[Cue Zephyr]

Where do you place your mic?

[bunnahowen]

Thanks for getting back. Experimented with different positions. Do you have a suggestion about that. Cheers

[Cue Zephyr]

I own two mics myself, of which one is a small-diaphragm and one is large.
For recording vocals and guitar into one mic (which I don't do often, obviously), try putting the mic at the height of your head, or even a bit higher, and point it to around your neck, about 30-50 cm away.
YMMV

[SJP]

Does anyone have any opinion on the Zoom H-1 digital recorder ?

I'm looking for something to make simple, good quality recordings (acoustic+vocals) and to use as a 'notepad' for songwriting ideas and snippets. I've seen some very good reviews of this product and the samples i've heard were excellent too for summat that costs around 90 quid.

Also, is it possible to modify the mix of a WAV or MP3 file from these recorders using PC software ?

[bunnahowen]

I own two mics myself, of which one is a small-diaphragm and one is large.
For recording vocals and guitar into one mic (which I don't do often, obviously), try putting the mic at the height of your head, or even a bit higher, and point it to around your neck, about 30-50 cm away.
YMMV

Thanks Cue Zephyr. Forgot to thank you for these suggestions. Much better now. There was also a problem with the guitar which I was able to exchange. Hope the learning is going well. Best wishes

[Cue Zephyr]

I got 2 other mics by now, one X-Y stereo condenser and one other large diaphragm which has a continuously variable polar pattern. The latter couples up very well with the small diaphragm I have.