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Acoustic Guitar Channel Strip - Suggestions?

I am setting up a portable acoustic (guitar) recording rig and want to use AUM as a channel strip to then record into 4pockets Multitrack Recorder (on master channel), keep things reeeeal simple and basic. My main question is though, what apps would you suggest i put in the channel strip for a warm and (dare i say) vintage acoustic sound, almost like putting the incoming signal 'through tape' (compression, tape emulation, vintage EQ, these kinds of things), i have many apps but just curious if anyone does this or has any suggestions?

Many thanks, no rights or wrongs here, just a friendly question.

Comments

  • Yes, of course! i always forget i have mixbox in my ipad, thanks for the reminder :)

  • @Mr_Darcy said:
    Yes, of course! i always forget i have mixbox in my ipad, thanks for the reminder :)

    👍😀

  • @Sam23 said:

    @Mr_Darcy said:
    Yes, of course! i always forget i have mixbox in my ipad, thanks for the reminder :)

    👍😀

    Me too, but how I wish MixBox would dynamically update the AUParameter-tree when changing the effects and their order, it's a total pita to find the correct parameter to automate :sunglasses:

  • Yep , not to mention midi mapping parameters :(

  • +1 for Mixbox as a one stop solution the compressors are very good. But you could get similar results with acompressor (like FabFilter pro C2 or DDMF MagicDeathEye) EQ and tape emulation like Chow Tape or Audiothing Reels. Do you want to record your acoustic guitar after your effect chain ? I was doing this before but lately largely prefer to apply any effect during the mixing for more flexibility.

  • For simplicity I’m thinking on ‘printing’ the recording through the AUM channel strip rather than doing it after the fact, so more of a set and forget system

  • I'm using Acoustic Voice Preamp by Nembrini and I really like it.
    https://apps.apple.com/es/app/acoustic-voice-preamp/id1573403690

  • edited July 2023

    I haven’t tried this app but I do use their other amp sim and it’s really great so maybe this would interest you https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gain-stage-acoustic/id1567355339

  • edited July 2023

    Just a thought. I record electric guitar, not acoustic. I recently read about the Origin Cali 76 compressor pedal, which apparently throws some magic sauce over the incoming signal. So I tried to mimic this in AUM with different compressors, to prevent myself buying this (expensive) pedal. I am not convinced yet this is an improvement in the signal chain. Compression is difficult to dial in for me. A little bit is enough already. Maybe for acoustic guitar this is easier because the effect has to be more pronounced?

    The holy grail would be an app that has the Cali 76 magic.

  • @Mr_Darcy said:
    I am setting up a portable acoustic (guitar) recording rig and want to use AUM as a channel strip to then record into 4pockets Multitrack Recorder (on master channel), keep things reeeeal simple and basic. My main question is though, what apps would you suggest i put in the channel strip for a warm and (dare i say) vintage acoustic sound, almost like putting the incoming signal 'through tape' (compression, tape emulation, vintage EQ, these kinds of things), i have many apps but just curious if anyone does this or has any suggestions?

    Many thanks, no rights or wrongs here, just a friendly question.

    The crucial question is how are you recording the guitar? Is it with a microphone, or through the pickup?

    If you're using a mic, the positioning of the mic is going to have an enormous impact on the sound. For a brighter crisper sound you can place the mic in front of the 12th fret, but if you want a warmer tone then about a foot directly above (and slightly in front of) the soundhole will give you the rounded sound of the guitar that you hear when you're actually playing it.

    If you're recording from a pickup, piezo or otherwise, then a good trick is to run that through an acoustic guitar IR to give a more authentic sound.

    After that you can add some compression: with a slow attack to let the transients through, and a fast release if you want more sustain.

    One really great EQ technique for acoustic guitar IMO is to use dynamic EQ to shape the tone: when the guitar gets louder the EQ kicks in more so you can (for example) tame the brightness of the transients in the attack phase of the sound without dulling the overall guitar too much (because the EQ only kicks in when the signal is loud when the strings are struck).

    With this technique you can also add warmth to the overall sound while avoiding boominess: add some low-end EQ that attenuates when the signal gets louder so that it doesn't get too boomy.

    Example curve of the above techniques:

  • For most of the acoustic stuff I've posted here, I used a mic (Tascam iM2) -> DDMF 6144 (or TBEqualizer) -> DDMF MagicDeathEye -> AltiSpace 2 - loaded with an EMT250 plate reverb (lately, I favour DDMF's Magicverb). Sometimes I would have to EQ again post-recording & use TB Barricade for output level and, if needed, tape saturation - the DDMF apps supply enough warmth.

    There's some sound advice from @richardyot above. The dynamic EQ technique sounds interesting, perhaps this could take care of any post-EQing 'on the fly'.

  • I conceptually really like the dynamic EQ fabfilter technique, have been mucking around with that on desktop (dont have those apps on the ipad yet) so thats a good idea. Of course mic placement is king with what comes out the other end and im always looking at improving that or learning about new (sometimes weird) ways of mic'ing, thanks for all the advice folks :)

  • Both the Nembrini and Blue Mangoo apps mentioned here are fantastic, imo.

  • I’ve got an Ovation so I never have to muck around with Mics and placement. I find myself typically using the stock EQs, Compressors, and Reverbs in whatever DAW I’m using for Guitar parts. Vocals too. I tend to base my overall opinion of a DAW by how good the guitar sounds on it.

  • @Mr_Darcy said:
    Of course mic placement is king with what comes out the other end and im always looking at improving that or learning about new (sometimes weird) ways of mic'ing, thanks for all the advice folks :)

    I found this series of videos by Neumann to be useful.

  • Acoustic guitars are my main instruments so I have developed my own techniques.
    I normally record them stereo with a pair of small diaphragm mics. One placed at fret 12 and one between hole and bridge.
    The stereo image really gives a touch of magic and if you don’t want it you can always mix the two channels to one but you can still “dose” how much of each you want. Then I use a low ratio compression, EQ and some reverb that depends very much on the type of music. I find that reverbs synced with the project tempo are often very nice.
    But the real trick is in the recording phase.
    Needless to say fresh strings and perfect tuning are a must.

  • Bookmarking this thread.

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