Acoustic Guitar Recording - Mic Choices

Reign of Tachos · 06-19-2013, 02:56 AM

I did it because guides told me to, didn't really think too much into it. I've tried recording with the speakers off, it didn't make a difference.

The failed sound removal again leads me to believe that this is a pickup issue and so would not be present with mics. If you'd really like I'll take some pictures of what I'm doing and even upload a recording or 2 to either Soundcloud or Youtube.

There is no amplifier involved, just my guitar, and XLR to 3.5mm cable and the microphone or line in jack on my computer.

anathematized_one · 06-19-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reign of Tachos

I did it because guides told me to, didn't really think too much into it. I've tried recording with the speakers off, it didn't make a difference.

The failed sound removal again leads me to believe that this is a pickup issue and so would not be present with mics. If you'd really like I'll take some pictures of what I'm doing and even upload a recording or 2 to either Soundcloud or Youtube.

There is no amplifier involved, just my guitar, and XLR to 3.5mm cable and the microphone or line in jack on my computer.

Yes please, the set up, what program you use, and an unedited recording.

If need be, I can make a video for you, but my acoustic hasn't got a pickup, I will have to borrow one which does.

Without hearing the unedited recording, it is difficult to diagnose the problem.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

Reign of Tachos · 06-19-2013, 12:14 PM

Acoustic Guitar Recording - Mic Choices-img_0111-1-.jpg

All EQ and anti-feedback frequency set to the middle point. Phase reverse is on (I don't even know what it does but it didn't make a difference) and chorus is off.

Acoustic Guitar Recording - Mic Choices-img_0112-1-.jpg

Guitar end is plugged in via an XLR cable.

Acoustic Guitar Recording - Mic Choices-img_0113-1-.jpg

Computer end is a 3.5mm into the microphone slot.

Acoustic Guitar Recording - Mic Choices-img_0114-1-.jpg

Speakers are off.

More photos incoming...

Reign of Tachos · 06-19-2013, 12:27 PM

Can't post anymore photos, I've reached my attachment limit. I assume deleting them will stop the first 4 from being seen.

You'll just have to take my word for it. I recorded into Ableton Live Lite. There are no effects on any of the tracks.

I can't post links, but the examples will be on my Soundcloud in 5-10 minutes. Put 'Reign of Tachos' into the search bar. I'm the only one there.

0:00 - 0:35 were done via the XLR cable.
0:36 - the end were done via a standard guitar lead with a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm attachment, also in the microphone slot.

As you can hopefully hear, there is a lot of background hiss and the guitar is comparatively rather quiet, which does 2 things:
1. Prohibits me from freely using EQ, if I even slightly boost the higher end to try and get a nicer sliding sound or whatever, the noise becomes worse.
2. In this excerpt, I'm playing with a fair amount of force. If I try to have quieter plucking sections/any kind of dynamics at all, the noise pretty much takes over.

Sorry for the silly mistakes at some parts!

Just a fun story: I was listening to the example and to do so my speakers had to be rather loud, so when I turned my normal music back on I literally jumped.

Reign of Tachos · 06-19-2013, 12:41 PM

It's up on my Soundcloud. It's called, rather conveniently, "Don't listen to this - It's for troubleshooting".

anathematized_one · 06-19-2013, 03:46 PM

Let me go listen, but in the mean time, try using a 1/4" instrument cable from the other jack rather than a microphone cable and put a fresh battery in your pickup.

EDIT:
I can hear a significant amount of signal static, which ussually comes from the cable or the connections between cable and device.

So that alone is a problem. The signal noise is the crackle you hear that isn't the constant background hiss (by the way, I have no idea what the technical term is for that).

Could be that the adapters or or plugs are faulty, bad shielding, any number of things.

Also, double check the impedance and ohm and resistance and voltage ratings of the output of the pickup and of the cables and your computer's microphone jack.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

Reign of Tachos · 06-19-2013, 04:20 PM

I literally cannot find the specs of the guitar pickup. All I know is that it's a B-Band UST. It doesn't get any more specific on that. I'll keep looking though.

The cable is one that I paid £5 for (=one of the higher priced ones on Amazon, so I assumed it would be at least okay. Turns out I overpaid by £3, and there's another company selling it for £1.95. I'm returning my current one and getting one from a trusty brand like Stagg.

It's entirely possible that it's just the cable - but I'm not so sure considering the results between the 1/4 inch converter and the XLR were basically nothing and the 1/4 inch converter works with my electric guitar just fine.

Speaking of the XLR cable - when not plugged into anything there is a fairly loud hum/buzzing noise. Is this natural or have I been sold a crappy cable?

How do I check those stats for my computers jack?

anathematized_one · 06-19-2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reign of Tachos

I literally cannot find the specs of the guitar pickup. All I know is that it's a B-Band UST. It doesn't get any more specific on that. I'll keep looking though.

The cable is one that I paid £5 for (=one of the higher priced ones on Amazon, so I assumed it would be at least okay. Turns out I overpaid by £3, and there's another company selling it for £1.95. I'm returning my current one and getting one from a trusty brand like Stagg.

It's entirely possible that it's just the cable - but I'm not so sure considering the results between the 1/4 inch converter and the XLR were basically nothing and the 1/4 inch converter works with my electric guitar just fine.

Speaking of the XLR cable - when not plugged into anything there is a fairly loud hum/buzzing noise. Is this natural or have I been sold a crappy cable?

How do I check those stats for my computers jack?

Probably the cable; don't worry about tue other, I doubt the power is too much to worry about blowing anything.

So with both jacks, you used the same cable and an adapter at the guitar? I am fairly positive it is the cable. See if you can borrow a 1/4" standard instrument cable amd if that makes a difference.

Also I don't kknow about XLR cables, but at least with instrument cables, if it is not plugged in, there will be a hissy feedback like a buzz, especially if you touch it to the ground or your finger, that's normal.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

drh1589 · 06-20-2013, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reign of Tachos

Attachment 5243 All EQ and anti-feedback frequency set to the middle point. Phase reverse is on (I don't even know what it does but it didn't make a difference) and chorus is off.

Attachment 5244 Guitar end is plugged in via an XLR cable.

Attachment 5245 Computer end is a 3.5mm into the microphone slot.

Attachment 5246 Speakers are off.

More photos incoming...

Are those Creative GigaWorks series speakers?

Plankton · 06-21-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anathematized_one

Probably the cable; don't worry about tue other, I doubt the power is too much to worry about blowing anything.

So with both jacks, you used the same cable and an adapter at the guitar? I am fairly positive it is the cable. See if you can borrow a 1/4" standard instrument cable amd if that makes a difference.

Also I don't kknow about XLR cables, but at least with instrument cables, if it is not plugged in, there will be a hissy feedback like a buzz, especially if you touch it to the ground or your finger, that's normal.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

Yes, I think it's quite possibly the cable. That would be the cheapest fix too. As Anathema suggested, get a 1/4". Also, you might want to think about getting an interface too. Firewire is preferred for low latency, but USB works too.

06-19-2013, 12:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
Reign of Tachos Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 12	All EQ and anti-feedback frequency set to the middle point. Phase reverse is on (I don't even know what it does but it didn't make a difference) and chorus is off. Guitar end is plugged in via an XLR cable. Computer end is a 3.5mm into the microphone slot. Speakers are off. More photos incoming...

06-19-2013, 03:46 PM	#16 (permalink)
anathematized_one Music Addict Join Date: May 2013 Location: Someplace Awful Posts: 123	Let me go listen, but in the mean time, try using a 1/4" instrument cable from the other jack rather than a microphone cable and put a fresh battery in your pickup. EDIT: I can hear a significant amount of signal static, which ussually comes from the cable or the connections between cable and device. So that alone is a problem. The signal noise is the crackle you hear that isn't the constant background hiss (by the way, I have no idea what the technical term is for that). Could be that the adapters or or plugs are faulty, bad shielding, any number of things. Also, double check the impedance and ohm and resistance and voltage ratings of the output of the pickup and of the cables and your computer's microphone jack. Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2 __________________ Sardonicus YouTube Channel Last edited by anathematized_one; 06-19-2013 at 03:57 PM.

06-19-2013, 02:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
Reign of Tachos Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 12	I did it because guides told me to, didn't really think too much into it. I've tried recording with the speakers off, it didn't make a difference. The failed sound removal again leads me to believe that this is a pickup issue and so would not be present with mics. If you'd really like I'll take some pictures of what I'm doing and even upload a recording or 2 to either Soundcloud or Youtube. There is no amplifier involved, just my guitar, and XLR to 3.5mm cable and the microphone or line in jack on my computer.

06-19-2013, 12:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Reign of Tachos Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 12	Can't post anymore photos, I've reached my attachment limit. I assume deleting them will stop the first 4 from being seen. You'll just have to take my word for it. I recorded into Ableton Live Lite. There are no effects on any of the tracks. I can't post links, but the examples will be on my Soundcloud in 5-10 minutes. Put 'Reign of Tachos' into the search bar. I'm the only one there. 0:00 - 0:35 were done via the XLR cable. 0:36 - the end were done via a standard guitar lead with a 1/4 inch to 3.5mm attachment, also in the microphone slot. As you can hopefully hear, there is a lot of background hiss and the guitar is comparatively rather quiet, which does 2 things: 1. Prohibits me from freely using EQ, if I even slightly boost the higher end to try and get a nicer sliding sound or whatever, the noise becomes worse. 2. In this excerpt, I'm playing with a fair amount of force. If I try to have quieter plucking sections/any kind of dynamics at all, the noise pretty much takes over. Sorry for the silly mistakes at some parts! Just a fun story: I was listening to the example and to do so my speakers had to be rather loud, so when I turned my normal music back on I literally jumped.

06-19-2013, 12:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
Reign of Tachos Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 12	It's up on my Soundcloud. It's called, rather conveniently, "Don't listen to this - It's for troubleshooting".

06-19-2013, 04:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
Reign of Tachos Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 12	I literally cannot find the specs of the guitar pickup. All I know is that it's a B-Band UST. It doesn't get any more specific on that. I'll keep looking though. The cable is one that I paid £5 for (=one of the higher priced ones on Amazon, so I assumed it would be at least okay. Turns out I overpaid by £3, and there's another company selling it for £1.95. I'm returning my current one and getting one from a trusty brand like Stagg. It's entirely possible that it's just the cable - but I'm not so sure considering the results between the 1/4 inch converter and the XLR were basically nothing and the 1/4 inch converter works with my electric guitar just fine. Speaking of the XLR cable - when not plugged into anything there is a fairly loud hum/buzzing noise. Is this natural or have I been sold a crappy cable? How do I check those stats for my computers jack?