Best/easiest way to record acoustic?

zepp76

What would be the best/easiest way to record an acoustic without a pickup please? I am interested in what would be the simplest method of recording, if someone could list the bare minimum of what equipment is needed that would be most appreciated thank you. I'm guessing a microphone like a shure of some sort (is there a recommended microphone for acoustic recording?) and obviously recording software. I want to slowly build up a recording set up on a budget so if anyone knows of any deals on suitable equipment please could you let me know, thank you.

octatonic

Stick a small diaphragm condenser 6-12 inches from the 12th fret, into an audio interface with a preamp and use a cheaper DAW like Reaper.
If you want an audio interface recommendation then the cheaper Focusrite units are pretty good but there are loads of entry level options.

Otherwise buy something like a Zoom H4n and a camera tripod. This solution could be under £200.

zepp76

@octatonic  Thank you for your helpful reply. It turns out that my family have chipped in together and bought me a Shure SM57 mic with stand and cable for my birthday next month so I guess I just need the software now, is that right?

LastMantra

An sm57 isn't ideal for recording acoustic I'm afraid to say. 

zepp76

LastMantra said:

An sm57 isn't ideal for recording acoustic I'm afraid to say. 

Typical, they had their best intentions at heart. I'll find a use for it.

LastMantra

Great mic's in general. Very handy to have around. 

Jimbro66

zepp76 said:

LastMantra said:

An sm57 isn't ideal for recording acoustic I'm afraid to say. 

Typical, they had their best intentions at heart. I'll find a use for it.

Quietly do a trade on here for a more suitable mic. There is always a demand for SM57s.

Bear in mind that a mic with a wider field is likely to pick up your breathing, grunting (?), etc. not to mention background noises. Just when you thought your studio/room was quiet you could have a few unwanted surprises at playback

I still have a recording three of us made in a mate’s bedroom that was great apart from faintly hearing his mum call out “Terry, your dinner’s ready!”  

pintspiller

The 57 will be more than adequate for recording demos. 

Stuckfast

Plenty of good acoustic parts have been tracked with a 57, nowt wrong wi't.

Funkfingers

SM57 is a classic choice for positioning close in front of an amplifier.

Stuckfast said:

Plenty of good acoustic parts have been tracked with a 57, nowt wrong wi't.

Some highly experienced sound engineers have the talent to place the SM57 just so and then fix any shortcomings with EQ and outboard. (Probably in combination with other mics.)

Most people choose something more sensitive.

Freebird

Jimbro66 said:

Bear in mind that a mic with a wider field is likely to pick up your breathing, grunting (?), etc. not to mention background noises. Just when you thought your studio/room was quiet you could have a few unwanted surprises at playback

I still have a recording three of us made in a mate’s bedroom that was great apart from faintly hearing his mum call out “Terry, your dinner’s ready!”  

"Are you tapeing it.."

Freebird

octatonic said:

Otherwise buy something like a Zoom H4n and a camera tripod. This solution could be under £200

This is what I would do, they are very useful gadgets.

octatonic

SM57 would be my last choice of a mic for an acoustic guitar, but it is better to use a mic you have than one you don't.
You will need to close mic it, which will cause a bit of proximity effect, or use a high amount of gain, which will introduce noise.

A small diaphragm condenser is a much better choice.
Rode NT5 is a good budget example.

zepp76

So what mic would people suggest for recording acoustic? I can use the SM57 for recording my amps so it won't go to waste. (Will it be ok for vocals too?)

octatonic

zepp76 said:

So what mic would people suggest for recording acoustic? I can use the SM57 for recording my amps so it won't go to waste. (Will it be ok for vocals too?)

Depends on budget.
I use KM84's, KM184's, Josephson C42's regular on acoustic but they are proper money.

Rode NT5 is a good budget solution.

Stuckfast

Anyone who doesn't think 57s can sound good on acoustic guitar -- and lead vocal -- might want to take a listen to this:

It wouldn't ever be my first choice but it's a perfectly capable mic.

Jimbro66

Stuckfast said:

Anyone who doesn't think 57s can sound good on acoustic guitar -- and lead vocal -- might want to take a listen to this:

It wouldn't ever be my first choice but it's a perfectly capable mic.

They are miming and those mics just happen to be what was lying around in the studio

spark240

Does your acoustic have a pickup....job done.

zepp76

spark240 said:

Does your acoustic have a pickup....job done.

No, hence mic'ing it.

Funkfingers

zepp76 said:

spark240 said:

Does your acoustic have a pickup....job done.

No, hence mic'ing it.

Fishman, K&K, L.R. Baggs, Sunrise, whatever transducer system = £200 - £400.

Serious microphone(s), shock-proof stand(s) plus room treatment = way more.

zepp76 said:

What would be the best/easiest way to record an acoustic without a pickup please?

Best is subjective.

The easiest way to record your acoustic guitar is to have some combination of piezo transducer, magnetic pickup and condenser microphone professionally installed. Thereafter, in all musical situations, you just plug in and work.

spark240

Funkfingers said:

zepp76 said:

spark240 said:

Does your acoustic have a pickup....job done.

No, hence mic'ing it.

Fishman, K&K, L.R. Baggs, Sunrise, whatever transducer system = £200 - £400.

Serious microphone(s), shock-proof stand(s) plus room treatment = way more.

zepp76 said:

What would be the best/easiest way to record an acoustic without a pickup please?

Best is subjective.

The easiest way to record your acoustic guitar is to have some combination of piezo transducer, magnetic pickup and condenser microphone professionally installed. Thereafter, in all musical situations, you just plug in and work.

This....Mic.ing a guitar with little experience can be frustrating, I know !....I would go for the internal PUP, then use what you have to experiment, if you really want to go Mic, then invest in better kit.