It depends on the quality of the guitar, but if you have a stripped down band finding that sweet spot in the low mids about 150 to 200 and giving it a little boost really rounds out the sound. Especially if the leader taps out any kind of rhythm on the body as they play.
Anything that’s plugged in and running through a DI. Some of the guitars in the examples have a mic & piezo in the pickup, some just a piezo. Although if you spend any time at all in the studio with a great mic on a great guitar, and then listen to a plugged in guitar (even a good one), you’ll weep just a little bit.
I had lots of services with only one DI'd acoustic guitar as instrument. I found it to be really helpful to make a narrow 5-6dB cut in the range around 170Hz +/- 20Hz to reduce a resonance I want to describe as "knocking" sound.
Hey dude! Nice info, I always check your videos to leard how to work on live bands. About acoustics guitars, any recommendations on the settings of the compresor? Approximately
As always, a really helpful video. Every time I'm working with a new rookie engineer looking for tips, I send them to your channel. And I also really like how you have something to offer more seasoned techs, too. Something I think would be even more helpful, though, is highlighting some of the common problem frequencies on an instrument with a quick boost before you do the cut--I think this really helps the "why" stick in people's minds, and they can identify those frequencies faster when they become a problem in the mix.
These videos are so so helpful! I'd love a series or video on principles of what to do on an analog mixer. I'm a worship leader/sound mixer at a missions center overseas that doesn't have the most up to date tech!
Hey Alex! Thanks so much for serving Jesus on the missions field! I’m glad the videos are helping! I’d love to do a series on mixing with analog gear. I really love mixing on analog consoles. It’s trickier to film and make clear exactly what I’m doing, but I’ll give it a shot!
I played through a mixer last night and the low end was so boomy it really disturbed my game. I cut the low end of the EQ but still had that issue. Funnily enough, when I came to set up, I noticed the low end EQ dial had been cut right back. So, I added a bit to get my level but when playing, it was awful. Any tips ?
I'm a guitar player primarily and love a stereo recording of solo guitar. I've even considered having stereo inputs, one mic (L.R. Baggs) and the ES2 on my Taylor. But to be honest, live guitar is not super important mix wise, and warmth gets cut anyway. Am i thinking correctly here? I've spent a lot of money (close to $4,000) on my guitar (814 ce) , pedal (Session DI) trying to get the best sound I can. I am willing to spend more, but not if it doesn't really matter in the long run playing live. Also, I saw Steven Curtis Chapman live. He had two mics placed in a cross pattern, sounded AMAZING. Is this a doable in a live setting?
Hey JJ! I see your point- in a big, full mix, acoustic guitar kinda gets lost. But at the same time, the moments when the guitar is by itself, especially finger-picked, it can make for some of the most beautiful sounds (I’m a huge James Taylor fan)... so I’d say if you’ve got the resources and the context where it matters, even briefly, go for it.
I tried but missing that acoustic steel sparkle, I like the intro of How great is our God.. acoustic intro there is bright. Which frequency is that? thanks!
Thanks for the tutorial. I have a question- Since I already own a soundhole active pickup (3V Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker). Is it still essential to add another like undersaddle or or piezo, then have a separate box to mix/ blend them? I’ll be using it live in stage. Thanks!
Excuse my question, but, in this video you mention to use a SLOW attack and the release at MEDIUM speed. What would fast attack be & what would be a medium release?
@@AttawayAudio By the way, I would like to appreciate you and your channel; you've been of great help for me (and I'm sure for many others as well). Keep the videos coming, please. You've become my favorite RUclips channel!
I think people who mix acoustic guitars should spend time listening to it with the guy playing it. Listen to what he fell in love with on It. Most of the tone is the strings and when you cut you should cut the nasty stuff from the woods natural resonance because not everything is sweet and some is annoying. Another good tip is to offer softer picks. Softer picks make it sound fuller and louder and clearer than a harder pick which makes it sound nasty and rough. No matter what they say because they haven’t realized it.
Do you have any tips for mic placement on acoustic guitars live? I usually just close mic with an SM57 pointed to where the neck meets the body to avoid bleed, but I'm curious if there's anything better out there (and all the tutorials on youtube are for studio recording where the considerations are much different).
Hi John! I don't typically use a mic live, but if I have to, I get good results from the little corner of the body below where the neck meets the body. Or if possible, just above the sound hole. But using a clip-on mic like a DPA 4099 (for best signal-to-noise ratio) or a feedback-resistant mic like a SM57 can be really helpful too. Let me know if this helps!
You need an idea in your mind of what it SHOULD sound like, and then use the EQ to try and get it there. Sorry for the vague advice, but that's really it.
Wow that was rough on we acoustic guitarists. We play rhythm and lead in the same song. Most sound guys suck at mixing. Set it and forget it mentality. Good stuff on the high pass
I’ve been having trouble with my 324ce lately. I always find myself having the gain almost all the way up and the volume knob in the guitar all the way up. I don’t know why?
My acoustic bottom end sounds amazing but I hate the high. Sounds tingy. I like a more dry setup a touch of reverb. How to correct the high issue would be helpful
@@AttawayAudio i agree..i do use multiple pics and tried that. my acoustic sounds amazing at church on stage so it could be in my eq. i have a x32 rack digital systems. its more than likely me
On an analog mixer, cutting the mids can be helpful, especially if there are a lot of other instruments. “20%” might mean around 5dB, and that’s probably a good starting place. If you have a sweepable mid frequency, listen for if 315, 630 or 1.2k (or even 2.5k) improves the balance and fit in the mix. Every instrument and every mix is a little different
Exactly what I’m looking for. Buying an acoustic 12 string guitar this weekend and will be running it through my Behringer XR18. Thanks for your help and step by step instructions. Massive help !!
Hey James, I don't do audio but I've been wanting to and stumbled across your channel. Love your content! How would you go about mixing acoustic for an artist like Phil Wickham who often performs with just himself and an acoustic? Some of his audio engineers are able to get a huge, thick, gorgeous tone out of his guitar, so I'm curious how you'd approach that as opposed to acoustic with a full band. Here's an example in a difficult acoustic environment: ruclips.net/video/59Imd-bcxiI/видео.html And a theater/church-like setting: ruclips.net/video/PVeLvbfAmYg/видео.html
Well it starts with a great sounding instrument in the hands of a great player. Great sounding acoustic guitar pickups typically have a mic inside them, so feedback can be an issue, but when you get a great instrument in the hands of a great player, the engineering and mixing is just not messing it up, and fine-tuning the details. .
@@AttawayAudio Thanks for the reply. He plays on a high end Taylor (Taylor 414ce), which I bet helps. He's definitely a strong player too, so I see where you're coming from. Thank you!
What's your favorite tip for mixing acoustic guitar? Comment below and let me know!
It depends on the quality of the guitar, but if you have a stripped down band finding that sweet spot in the low mids about 150 to 200 and giving it a little boost really rounds out the sound. Especially if the leader taps out any kind of rhythm on the body as they play.
Are these principles based on an acoustic guitar with a mic or piezo? Thanks
Anything that’s plugged in and running through a DI. Some of the guitars in the examples have a mic & piezo in the pickup, some just a piezo. Although if you spend any time at all in the studio with a great mic on a great guitar, and then listen to a plugged in guitar (even a good one), you’ll weep just a little bit.
@@AttawayAudio thanks for the reply appreciated! Your videos are helping me massively.
I’m so glad they’re helpful! Have a good one Whitty
lol Shaker with Chords made me feel personally attacked hahaha
Sorry- should have included a trigger warning ⚠️😂😂😂
I had lots of services with only one DI'd acoustic guitar as instrument. I found it to be really helpful to make a narrow 5-6dB cut in the range around 170Hz +/- 20Hz to reduce a resonance I want to describe as "knocking" sound.
“Shaker with chords”. I looove it!
Thank God!!! thank you so much, this will help our ministry, God Bless brother!
Thanks! Bless you too David!
Hey dude! Nice info, I always check your videos to leard how to work on live bands.
About acoustics guitars, any recommendations on the settings of the compresor? Approximately
So delightful to hear the acoustic guitar sound. Wow.
As always, a really helpful video. Every time I'm working with a new rookie engineer looking for tips, I send them to your channel. And I also really like how you have something to offer more seasoned techs, too. Something I think would be even more helpful, though, is highlighting some of the common problem frequencies on an instrument with a quick boost before you do the cut--I think this really helps the "why" stick in people's minds, and they can identify those frequencies faster when they become a problem in the mix.
This is the first video on YT about mixing acoustics live...
These videos are so so helpful! I'd love a series or video on principles of what to do on an analog mixer. I'm a worship leader/sound mixer at a missions center overseas that doesn't have the most up to date tech!
Hey Alex! Thanks so much for serving Jesus on the missions field! I’m glad the videos are helping!
I’d love to do a series on mixing with analog gear. I really love mixing on analog consoles. It’s trickier to film and make clear exactly what I’m doing, but I’ll give it a shot!
Our pastor goes from electric to acoustic. I want to save each guitars settings so I can switch back and forth. Would that be a snippet or scene.
A preset
Thanks bro ❤️ YOU HANDING OUT THEM GEMS 💎💎
Thanks for sharing your experience with us sound rookies!
everybody has to start somewhere! thanks for watching Justin!
I played through a mixer last night and the low end was so boomy it really disturbed my game. I cut the low end of the EQ but still had that issue. Funnily enough, when I came to set up, I noticed the low end EQ dial had been cut right back. So, I added a bit to get my level but when playing, it was awful. Any tips ?
I'm a guitar player primarily and love a stereo recording of solo guitar. I've even considered having stereo inputs, one mic (L.R. Baggs) and the ES2 on my Taylor. But to be honest, live guitar is not super important mix wise, and warmth gets cut anyway. Am i thinking correctly here? I've spent a lot of money (close to $4,000) on my guitar (814 ce) , pedal (Session DI) trying to get the best sound I can. I am willing to spend more, but not if it doesn't really matter in the long run playing live. Also, I saw Steven Curtis Chapman live. He had two mics placed in a cross pattern, sounded AMAZING. Is this a doable in a live setting?
Hey JJ! I see your point- in a big, full mix, acoustic guitar kinda gets lost. But at the same time, the moments when the guitar is by itself, especially finger-picked, it can make for some of the most beautiful sounds (I’m a huge James Taylor fan)... so I’d say if you’ve got the resources and the context where it matters, even briefly, go for it.
I tried but missing that acoustic steel sparkle, I like the intro of How great is our God.. acoustic intro there is bright. Which frequency is that? thanks!
that recording used a microphone, which has drastically different top-end than most acoustic guitar pickups... so it's hard to say
Thanks for the tutorial. I have a question- Since I already own a soundhole active pickup (3V Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker). Is it still essential to add another like undersaddle or or piezo, then have a separate box to mix/ blend them? I’ll be using it live in stage. Thanks!
You should be good to go with the single pickup. It’s just a matter of tone preference beyond that.
Excuse my question, but, in this video you mention to use a SLOW attack and the release at MEDIUM speed. What would fast attack be & what would be a medium release?
No excuse needed! For acoustic, I’d call a slow attack ~13-20ms, and medium release ~250ms
@@AttawayAudio By the way, I would like to appreciate you and your channel; you've been of great help for me (and I'm sure for many others as well).
Keep the videos coming, please. You've become my favorite RUclips channel!
Thanks Oscar! That means a lot! Thanks for serving Jesus at your church!
By chance would you be familiar with the AH Q3? We have one and I've got ton of questions. If not no big. Great video awesome suggestions
I'm not. I've got a fair amount of experience on the SQ6, and I'm installing a Qu32 next week. Thanks for the comment! 🙌
Man, this info is gold.
Thanks bro! 🙏🏼
Hi I Wan to ask if the acoustic guitar was high pitch what is eq range I need to eq?
This information is awesome for me. Thank you
I think people who mix acoustic guitars should spend time listening to it with the guy playing it. Listen to what he fell in love with on It. Most of the tone is the strings and when you cut you should cut the nasty stuff from the woods natural resonance because not everything is sweet and some is annoying. Another good tip is to offer softer picks. Softer picks make it sound fuller and louder and clearer than a harder pick which makes it sound nasty and rough. No matter what they say because they haven’t realized it.
Do you have any tips for mic placement on acoustic guitars live? I usually just close mic with an SM57 pointed to where the neck meets the body to avoid bleed, but I'm curious if there's anything better out there (and all the tutorials on youtube are for studio recording where the considerations are much different).
Hi John! I don't typically use a mic live, but if I have to, I get good results from the little corner of the body below where the neck meets the body. Or if possible, just above the sound hole. But using a clip-on mic like a DPA 4099 (for best signal-to-noise ratio) or a feedback-resistant mic like a SM57 can be really helpful too. Let me know if this helps!
@@AttawayAudio Cool, I'll try that out next time!
BEST CHANNELLL!!!!
Thank you!
Nicely done.
What’s your opinion if the guitarist is a classical guitarist and plays like an acoustic guitar.. how can u eq thay
You need an idea in your mind of what it SHOULD sound like, and then use the EQ to try and get it there. Sorry for the vague advice, but that's really it.
Wow that was rough on we acoustic guitarists. We play rhythm and lead in the same song. Most sound guys suck at mixing. Set it and forget it mentality. Good stuff on the high pass
I’ve been having trouble with my 324ce lately. I always find myself having the gain almost all the way up and the volume knob in the guitar all the way up. I don’t know why?
Need a fresh battery?
10 Points Sir ! 👍🏽
Does anyone have some startingpoint numbers for compression? (Attack and Release is what I am strugling with)
fast to me is 1-3ms in peak mode, medium release is ~200ms
Bro what kind of mixer Desk is that your using?
SSL L200
Hey tried to download your guide it wouldn't go through.
My acoustic bottom end sounds amazing but I hate the high. Sounds tingy. I like a more dry setup a touch of reverb. How to correct the high issue would be helpful
There’s a lot of factors up there, like your strings, pick, pick technique, and even the pickup.
@@AttawayAudio i agree..i do use multiple pics and tried that. my acoustic sounds amazing at church on stage so it could be in my eq. i have a x32 rack digital systems. its more than likely me
And.. with a basic mixer.. should I cut the mid freq from the guitar to 20%...?
On an analog mixer, cutting the mids can be helpful, especially if there are a lot of other instruments. “20%” might mean around 5dB, and that’s probably a good starting place. If you have a sweepable mid frequency, listen for if 315, 630 or 1.2k (or even 2.5k) improves the balance and fit in the mix. Every instrument and every mix is a little different
@@AttawayAudio owkay.. thank you..
I would love to see you do a mix on an analog mixer.
That's what's at my church? 😉
Great idea! I’ll get that set up
Exactly what I’m looking for.
Buying an acoustic 12 string guitar this weekend and will be running it through my Behringer XR18.
Thanks for your help and step by step instructions.
Massive help !!
Have fun! ...after you get done tuning
on the guitar preamp would you prefer the eq flat?
Not usually, just try to get it as natural as possible from the preamp. Just don't go full smiley-face on me and mess everything up 🤣
Hey what is that snare
Hey James, I don't do audio but I've been wanting to and stumbled across your channel. Love your content! How would you go about mixing acoustic for an artist like Phil Wickham who often performs with just himself and an acoustic? Some of his audio engineers are able to get a huge, thick, gorgeous tone out of his guitar, so I'm curious how you'd approach that as opposed to acoustic with a full band.
Here's an example in a difficult acoustic environment: ruclips.net/video/59Imd-bcxiI/видео.html
And a theater/church-like setting: ruclips.net/video/PVeLvbfAmYg/видео.html
Well it starts with a great sounding instrument in the hands of a great player. Great sounding acoustic guitar pickups typically have a mic inside them, so feedback can be an issue, but when you get a great instrument in the hands of a great player, the engineering and mixing is just not messing it up, and fine-tuning the details. .
@@AttawayAudio Thanks for the reply. He plays on a high end Taylor (Taylor 414ce), which I bet helps. He's definitely a strong player too, so I see where you're coming from. Thank you!
"A shaker with chords" PMSL! Ha ha ha. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Live it.
Q: A VCA???? Not a DCA????
VCA = DCA. Different name, same function
lol “ a guitar is a rhythmic shaker with chords” haha as a worship leader who leads on acoustic guitar that hurt 😂😂😂
nobody MAKES you play that way :)
What’s the name of that console?
SSL L200
That riddle....😂😂😂😂😂
Where’s the lie? 🤪
Thanks
You’re welcome! 👍🏼
Wowwowowowowowow
Ross?
smh
calm your smile... my god isn't insecure
?
I do some delay on my acoustic guitars imo it makes it sound so much better
That only works until Revelation 10:6 comes to pass 😂 #biblejokes
lmao good riddle
Sad but true
Your voice sounds like a normal voice but slowed down..
thanks! ...i think? 😀🤔
Your Welcome....I guess?
Am I the only one who can't hear any of the changes he's supposed to be making?
Yes
I can hear the difference clear as day. You need to train your ears my friend 😊