Acoustic Instrument Recording Experiments

I’ve been dipping my toes into recording with mics again, after using guitar amp sims, IRs, VST instruments, and samples for years.

I started to convince myself that recording acoustic guitar at home and remotely would be viable. I quickly learned that choosing guitar picks was integral to the sound. I initially went with the brightest pick that I could find, a thin 0.60mm Dunlop Ultex. I thought the 3U Audio Black CM1 was a good starting point. 

Yamaha FG700S played with Ultex pick, recorded with Black CM1 mic.

I then experimented with darker tones by switching to picks like a 0.70mm Dunlop Tortex in the clip below. I wanted to minimize my small bedroom’s sound, so I started to use my dynamic mics. I wasn’t happy with the noise floor of a cranked mic preamp in my setup. I added a Cloudlifter CL1 to my setup, and got comparable output/noise to my other SDC mics. The Beyerdynamic M201TG works well on acoustic guitar for a dynamic mic, and it’s hypercardioid pattern rejects some room sound.

Alvarez AMPE915EAR Parlor played with 0.70mm Tortex pick, recorded through Beyerdynamic M201TG, Cloudlifter, and Warm Audio TB12.

I have also gotten interested in recording drums with minimal microphones. I am not a drummer, more of a guitarist who decided to hoard drums. I will try out mono overhead, Recorderman, and Glyn Johns-style mic setups for my lo-fi compositions. I’ll stick with Superior Drummer with my more conventional ideas. I’ve been recording just 4 pieces so far: a Gretsch Energy 22”x22” bass drum, a Pork Pie 6.5”x14” Big Black brass snare, a 22” K ride, and a set of New Beat hi-hats.

Drums with mono overhead.

I expanded my condenser mic collection to capture both stringed instruments and drum overhead: 3U Audio Teal CM1 SE, Oktava MK-012, Beesneez Lulu, and Beesneez BU87I C.

BeesNeez BU87I C recording my Alvarez ABT610E Baritone Acoustic.

3 U Audio Black CM1 and Teal CM1 SE microphones used to record Alvarez AMPE915EAR parlor acoustic.

To be continued.

Ludwig P88AC Throw Off

Ludwig Acrolite with P88AC Strainer

I have a 1976-1977 Ludwig Blue & Olive badge Acrolite snare that I bought with a bent P85 strainer adjustment. I had a hard time turning the knob to adjust the snare wire tension and wasn’t getting the full range of snare tension adjustment. I would have to lift up the handle before engaging the snare. The experience felt off to me for a snare with such a great reputation. I thought I had gotten a dud until I read about other users’ experiences. It was the first drum that I had bought and I had no idea how to maintain it.

P88AC (top) and P85 (bottom) Front View. The bend of the P85 is visible.

The P85 knob was bent, and difficult to turn. The P88AC is much more smooth in use, although the original P85 is 40+ years old at this point. Time will tell how it holds up. The P88AC's knob is detented, which I like. Like other users, I can only adjust the tension while disengaged. 

P88AC and P85 Rear View

The P88AC allows me to use snare wires with straps, although I am reusing the cord-tied Gibraltar SC-4467 20 strand snare wires that I previously used with the P85. 

I knew going in that I would have trouble installing the butt plate, but the holes did not even appear to line up on my snare. The stock butt plate works well, and I am not concerned about the mismatched aesthetics.

Edit - 08/18/22 - I bought a B-Stock Ludwig Supraphonic snare and it came with the P88AC already installed. No need to upgrade.

Ludwig Supraphonic with P88AC throw off.