acoustic & electric guitar exp results

Acoustic guitar experiment setups: 1) Mid-Side Configuration

2) Split (Bridge & Fret setup)

MID-SIDE

The MS setup gave out a bright sounding tone to the overall performance. No filters or attenuators were activated in this recording. Both of the mics were placed pointing towards the 12th to 14th fret area. I personally prefer the tone from this setup out of the three recordings because it sounds smoother to the ears and has less low ends resonating throughout the performance.

BRIDGE-AND-FRET SPLIT SETUP

(Unfortunately, we forgot to take photo of the second setup but this is the setup we aimed for)

The only difference we made with this setup as compared to the picture here was that the small diaphragm mic was pointed rather off-axis from the fret. The low-cut filter and pads were both activated on both large and small mics. For this recording, the signals were reduced by -12dB and rolled off the low ends by 160Hz (for LDC) while the signals were also attenuated by -10dB and rolled off at 150Hz (for SDC). This one sounded much brighter as compared to the previous recording (probably because of the lack of bottoms) and with the help of a small diaphragm picking up the mids and highs near the neck.

The following adjustment done for this experiment was with the settings again. This time, we lowered the pad to -6dB and low-cutting just 40Hz for the LDC (we want to remain the sound of the low freq but just cutting off a lil) while the SDC remained to no high-pass filter or attenuation (as we want to capture the "authentic" pickup sound from a small diaphragm mic). As compared to the second recording, this one has a much blended sounding within the high and mid range, still providing a much smoother sound and less attacks (which are present in the 2nd recording).

Electric guitar + amp setups: 1) One-mic setup (3 positions)

2) 3-mics setup

Amp used: VOX

Guitar pick-up: Bridge

This experiment overall has been all about positioning the mic towards or off the amp according to the sound recorded. Out of all the recordings as well as in the studio, it can be heard there was a ringing sound coming from the amp, more specifically when the A and D string were played. Some other problems/mistakes in this experiment include the choice of guitar pick causing an obvious clicking sound, mistaking the pickup axis of the dynamic mic (M421) and messing up the gain knob on the mixer.

On axis - less bottom, sharper, more attacks than the other ones

Off axis - so far the best sounding, sits well in the mix, warmer tone and less attack

Off axis (angled) - has more bottom than the second one, punchier and causing the low ends mushed together.

3 mic setup - gain was messed up in this recording, we might have to rerecord to get a better outcome from this setup. The recording overall sounded very crunched.

Assumptions of results: Using a bridge pickup might create a much crunchy sound as compared to the clean sound that we were aiming for, perhaps using the neck pickup might give a warmer tone and less bright for the aimed tone of this exp.