Acoustic Guitar XY balance

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itllcometogether
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2010/02/14 19:11:39 (permalink)

Acoustic Guitar XY balance

When recording an acoustic guitar using two mics in XY, the mic pointing toward the soundhole is much louder than the other.  This is with the XY in line with the neck at the 12th fret, between 6" and 12" from the guitar.
 
I understand you can pull the mics back a few feet, but that is not the sound I'm going for at the moment.
 
So, do you keep the pre-amp gains identical for both mics, or boost the softer mic to balance it out?
Or do you handle this after recorded?  (plus, any tips on processing/panning XY guitar?)
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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Acoustic Guitar XY balance 2010/02/15 00:12:25 (permalink)
    turn the X/Y array?

    move the mics?


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    papa2005
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    Re:Acoustic Guitar XY balance 2010/02/15 03:20:01 (permalink)
    The mic pointing toward the soundhole is naturally going to be much louder. Other than finger & fret noise, the majority of acoustic guitar sound comes from the body.

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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Acoustic Guitar XY balance 2010/02/15 07:48:21 (permalink)
    Unless you're going for a stereo sound, which I would assume that you're not... there is no need for panning as such, other than to "place" the guitar in the mix in a mono format... there is no need to have them balanced and getting identical levels. You get two different sounds from the 2 mics...and you simply want to use those 2 tracks to get ONE guitar sound. The EQ might even be different on the 2 inputs, and it should be complimentary.

    Using 2 mics, you do want to be aware of phasing problems that can and will occur with 2 mics on the same source. This will show up as you mix these 2 tracks together.

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    SilverfoxUK
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    Re:Acoustic Guitar XY balance 2010/02/19 05:50:57 (permalink)
    Guitarhacker


    Using 2 mics, you do want to be aware of phasing problems that can and will occur with 2 mics on the same source. This will show up as you mix these 2 tracks together.
     
    I assume the X Y setup you are using involves having the mics as close as possible to each other without touching? This should eliminate 'phase issues'...
     
    Maybe you ARE going for a stereo image? if so then panning the 2 sperate signals either side of stereo field can sound nice.
     
    Also,
     
     Itllcometogether: I have found the same issues as you. As we perceive different frequencies at different volumes, I have found it best to EQ the 'body' mic and remove some of the mids as this is what was making it sound louder in my setup.
     
     Obviously as others have said, room type plays a big part: it's all about experimentation to find sweet spots...

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    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re:Acoustic Guitar XY balance 2010/02/19 06:06:35 (permalink)
    itllcometogether


    So, do you keep the pre-amp gains identical for both mics, or boost the softer mic to balance it out?
    Or do you handle this after recorded?  (plus, any tips on processing/panning XY guitar?)

    I would adjust the pre-amp gains so that you're getting a similarly healthly level on both channels.
    But I suppose providing you're getting a good enough level to work with form the softer mic then you can keep them roughly the same.
     
    But - if you were recording with the soft/neck mic alone - would you boost the input to get a decnet signal?
     
    Mike is right in that you're going to get 2 different sounds from the 2 mics so EQ to taste.
     
     

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    Rbh
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    Re:Acoustic Guitar XY balance 2010/02/19 20:35:54 (permalink)
    I agree with Mike... Align the X-Y vertical instead of horizontal.

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