Recording two acoustic guitars. One EADGBE the other 1/2 step down...???

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jbow
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2011/06/27 20:02:01 (permalink)

Recording two acoustic guitars. One EADGBE the other 1/2 step down...???

What would be the best way to accomplish this. I have a dreadnaught that I string with either medium phosphor bronze or Martim Bluegrass (hybrid set). The other is my "comfortable box", my Taylor BigBaby. I use Elixers on it and I keep it tuned 1/2 step low so I can bend and add a little vibrato with it. I have something I want to record in standard tuning. The Takamine (dreadnaught) will be used for most of it and for ll the rhythm, which I will put down first. Then I want to add some acoustic lead with the Taylor.
 
I have several ideas and a capo is not in any of them, I do not want to use a capo...
I have thought about recording all the guitar tracks and bass in standard tuning then adding a midi keyboard scratch track... lower the pitch of the scratch track 1/2 step and then record the lead part. Or I guess I could copy an audio track of the recorded parts into a stereo mix track, mute all the original tracks, convert the stereo track into a groove track and use it when recording the lead. Erase the stereo track then convert the lead track to a groove track and raise it 1/2 step... however, I don't know if I am going to lose any fidelity by doing something like this... or is my thinking flawed, is there an easier or better way or should I just tune the Taylor to standard and do the best I can with it. It just sounds so much better tuned a half step low, being a 7/8 size guitar and the Takamine tends to a little fret buzz if I tune it 1/2 step down... I reckon I could put heavier strings on it and maybe it would not buzz any... I don't know but th Martin Bluegrass strings I put on it are fairly new and I hate to waste them, but I will if I need to. 
 
Not sure how to go about this but I want to try it tomorrow... or at least over the next week.
 
Thanks for ny help. I checked through the G3 videos I have and glanced at the manual. I will check out X1 POWER later too but if you know a trick... I need it.
 
Thanks!
 
Julien

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4 Replies Related Threads

    JSkeen
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    Re:Recording two acoustic guitars. One EADGBE the other 1/2 step down...??? 2011/06/27 22:33:33 (permalink)
    Depending on the key I would just play it a half step up. Using open strings won't work. I play a lot of gigs with people who tune down a half step and I have gotten pretty good transposing on the spot, but I am a bassist though. good luck!!!
    #2
    daveny5
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    Re:Recording two acoustic guitars. One EADGBE the other 1/2 step down...??? 2011/06/27 23:15:38 (permalink)
    ZZZZzzzzzzzz.

    Dave
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    #3
    JustGotPaid
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    Re:Recording two acoustic guitars. One EADGBE the other 1/2 step down...??? 2011/06/28 01:34:00 (permalink)
    First, you are complicating this way beyond what is necessary. Drop them both down. Or drop the lead down and then capo it up. They do that in Nashville all the time.
    My experience on all these odd ball techniques...the only person that cares is the person doing it. Keep it simple. All this hoodoo voodoo you're inventing is taking your mind way off the goal of just playing a good clean track for a song that you will enjoy.

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    #4
    frankandfree
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    Re:Recording two acoustic guitars. One EADGBE the other 1/2 step down...??? 2011/06/28 06:54:26 (permalink)
    As JSkeen said. Just play it. I played all my life on guitars tuned two semitones down. I think it's a benefit that voicings automatically differ when I play together with another guitarist who tuned standard. Who cares that my E looks like a F#? It sounds pretty darn E.
    #5
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