Electrical Audio How-To: Recording Acoustic Stringed Instruments

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  • Опубликовано: 20 июн 2024
  • Electrical Audio engineer and diagram-in-miniature afficionado Steve Albini demonstrates techniques for recording various acoustic stringed instruments with an emphasis on sound quality, including in situations where bleed from other instruments may be a problem.
    Video by Jeff Perlman (jeffperlmancreative.com)
    Chapters:
    Intro (0:00)
    Recording Acoustic Guitar and Vocal Performed Simultaneously (6:08)
    Recording Cello (13:27)
    Recording Violin (21:02)
    Recording Banjo (30:37)
    Results In An Ensemble (38:57)
    Parting Words (40:59)
    Performers:
    Rob Bochnik: Guitar/ voice (robbochnik.com)
    Alison Chesley/ Helen Money: Cello (helenmoney.com)
    Susan Voelz: Violin (susanvoelz.com)
    Taylor Hales: 5-string Banjo (Instagram: @taylorhales / electricalaudio.com/taylor)

Комментарии • 517

  • @edwardrivera7690
    @edwardrivera7690 Год назад +587

    If you would have told me in the 90s or 2000s that Steve Albini and Electrical Audio would be showing you how to record FOR FREE...this is beyond incredible

    • @ledheavy26
      @ledheavy26 Год назад +10

      Before I opened the comments I was just thinking about this exact thought. I wish I had had this when I started learning (still learning now!).

    • @GimmeJimmy23
      @GimmeJimmy23 Год назад +6

      You would have "flipped your lid?" Same. I mean, how lucky are we? Free masterclasses abound!

    • @Tomversal
      @Tomversal Год назад +6

      As a beginner in engineering this channel is just perfection

    • @bernieburnalot
      @bernieburnalot Год назад +6

      👍 No… shit. Two decades ago, everything was a closely guarded secret.

    • @celam1244
      @celam1244 Год назад +7

      Agreed! This is fucking great!

  • @liminal6823
    @liminal6823 Месяц назад +14

    You don't know what you've got until it's gone.

  • @stevedoesnt
    @stevedoesnt Год назад +210

    This is like going into dads garage and asking “what’s that do” then he explains it. I need more like this.

  • @dgerch
    @dgerch 29 дней назад +15

    We are so lucky that Steve was so generous with his time and knowledge. The guy truly loved to teach and his motivation was egoless. He just seemed to truly find purpose in teaching us how to fish. There are hours and hours of interviews with the guy going into precise detail, demystifying, never gatekeeping. He's gone but he's left us a lifetime's worth of information.

  • @jond63
    @jond63 Месяц назад +43

    Thank you Steve. You will be missed by countless listeners and fans of music alike. RIP

  • @studiokosmische
    @studiokosmische Месяц назад +36

    Rest in peace Mr Albini. Eternal thanks for sharing all your knowledge with the world. Legend.

  • @unwavery
    @unwavery Месяц назад +21

    lol Steve's glance to the camera after asking "So, an airplane broke your cello? Okay." really kind of is an encapsulation in one second of all I love about this guy's contribution to modern music and recording. RIP. Also fitting that, at time of my comment, it is the "lowest replayed" valley on the scroller.

  • @Virdae
    @Virdae Год назад +23

    Before they started to play together I thought how funny it would be if they all played their own thing on top of each other. Did not disappoint.

  • @MartijnFrazer
    @MartijnFrazer Год назад +67

    When a Steve Albini video drops, you stop what you're doing and you pay attention. It's that simple.

  • @TheEnderBand
    @TheEnderBand Год назад +17

    Lmao the shot of steve grinning and nodding maniacally at the cacophony of the instruments all playing different things at once with the slow zoom- I love steve's sense of humor and his personality really comes across in these

  • @elliotcrane
    @elliotcrane Год назад +30

    Love how the particular sense of irony and humor comes off so naturally in these. A very welcome added value indeed.

    • @composerdorianbell
      @composerdorianbell Год назад +2

      It really made the video that much better. And it was amazing to begin with.

  • @fedesartorio
    @fedesartorio Год назад +73

    Did Electrical Audio hire someone just to make the videos? Because the quality is stellar. Big love to all the people involved in the making of those videos! So crazy to see Steve Albini being all educational with drawings made for ants

    • @ElectricalAudioOfficial
      @ElectricalAudioOfficial  Год назад +75

      We did. Bartered for studio time.

    • @HalcyonGuitars
      @HalcyonGuitars Год назад +10

      @@ElectricalAudioOfficial That’s the way to do it!

    • @N8oRMusic
      @N8oRMusic Год назад +29

      The Steve Albini Center for Kids Who Can't Record Good and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too.

    • @YTPartyTonight
      @YTPartyTonight 9 месяцев назад +4

      Even the little touch in the way they incorporated a well-manicured index finger, shifting ever so slightly to give it life, was endearing.

  • @hessex1899
    @hessex1899 3 месяца назад +13

    One of the best things is to listen to an old, competent, engineer talk about applied engineering. I could literally watch this stuff all day long and never get bored.

  • @chrismerrill6060
    @chrismerrill6060 Год назад +52

    Wow, this janitor sure knows a lot about recording acoustic instruments.

    • @rjlong89
      @rjlong89 Месяц назад +1

      Hes seen alot of sessions while cleanin up. Lolz

    • @dgerch
      @dgerch 29 дней назад

      It's a Goodwill Hunting situation

  • @sevenlines2238
    @sevenlines2238 Год назад +53

    Thank you guys for maintaining the same DIY ethos and artist-centric code. Offering this information to artists is invaluable and will help to ensure the continuation of this underappreciated art.

  • @user-wp4cs6eg8q
    @user-wp4cs6eg8q Месяц назад +3

    This is such gold. This man was a treasure trove of knowledge. Rest in power Steve Albini.

  • @bdmax17
    @bdmax17 Год назад +88

    I would love to see a video on recording brass and woodwind instruments like sax, trumpet, trombone etc!

    • @ElectricalAudioOfficial
      @ElectricalAudioOfficial  Год назад +78

      Cool idea!

    • @andriealinsangao613
      @andriealinsangao613 Год назад +4

      Yes, please!

    • @bennysuts814
      @bennysuts814 Год назад +2

      Yes please!

    • @god0
      @god0 Год назад +2

      Yes!

    • @bobbymehta1006
      @bobbymehta1006 8 месяцев назад +1

      Yes, I need flute recording techniques and mics suggestions!. Lately, I've settled on my SM7B for decent smooth capture in my crappy bedroom, out of my limited collection of mics. I really thought my Coles 4038 ribbon would win but it was too dark... MD421, SM57, RE-20 just didn't do it either & unfortunately I don't have a condenser mic. I used to own a Neumann TLM 103 but it just picked up wayyy too much surrounding noise & I sold it. YMMV.

  • @User-jk8wq
    @User-jk8wq Год назад +57

    The idea of using two figure-8 mics to isolate the guitar and vocals from each other is nothing short of genius. Thanks Steve!

    • @morbidmanmusic
      @morbidmanmusic Год назад +12

      ...or obvious...

    • @distortiontruthBOS-RP
      @distortiontruthBOS-RP Год назад

      ​@@morbidmanmusic

    • @distortiontruthBOS-RP
      @distortiontruthBOS-RP Год назад

      Doesn't a figure 8 microphone have the null at the side, with the front and back both being active, while a super cardioid mic has the rejection to the rear - meaning whatever the mic is not facing? I think of figure 8 as synonymous with bipolar.

    • @DavidHartwig
      @DavidHartwig Год назад +4

      @@distortiontruthBOS-RP The nulls on the sides of a figure of 8 are well defined. A supercardioid pattern has small spikes on the sides, as well as a narrow spike coming straight out the back. In essence the figure of 8 has nice smooth round pickup patterns, and the supercardioid has spikes coming off it, with the front being largest long and narrow.

    • @teddybullard941
      @teddybullard941 7 месяцев назад

      It can work beautifully. Others that I favor are Blumlein, ortf and my *personal favorite", Jecklin Disc.

  • @SergioFilho
    @SergioFilho Месяц назад +6

    This is one of the best videos on RUclips of all time

  • @chiefindisguise
    @chiefindisguise Год назад +10

    The comedic aspect really livens up Albini’s personality

  • @LordofDiamondsMetal
    @LordofDiamondsMetal Год назад +17

    It's so cool to see clawhammer banjo playing featured in this video. Such a neat style of banjo playing and it's always overshadowed by three finger bluegrass playing

  • @Havreflan
    @Havreflan Год назад +11

    I love the style of humor. Feels like late '80s Letterman. Oh and the recording info was good too.

  • @arthurperez4884
    @arthurperez4884 Год назад +9

    Wow i have to say I did not expect the isolation between the acoustic guitar and vocal mics to be that drastic. I will always remember this. Thank you.

  • @6dbthreshold
    @6dbthreshold Год назад +15

    Even though I don’t speak French, I understood those little microphones perfectly. Sounded great!
    Excellent video. I was thoroughly entertained and educated.

  • @timstevens3183
    @timstevens3183 Год назад +11

    The king has returned and graced us with another lesson!

    • @johncollins5552
      @johncollins5552 Месяц назад

      Steve was too good for this World,
      God wants his best audio engineer back. ❤

  • @scottgreiner1740
    @scottgreiner1740 Год назад +3

    I have not seen a finer demonstration of microphone technique and choice. The recording community owes you a debt of gratitude, Steve. Youngsters, pay attention.

  • @ljosdreki
    @ljosdreki Год назад +22

    I love this and appreciate the generosity of Albini and friends. He might be the most experienced engineer in recording acoustic instruments alive today. His acoustic records are amazing. Thank you🙏🏼

    • @manhattanmixing2700
      @manhattanmixing2700 Год назад +3

      This video is great and he is great. But there are a lot of engineers who record acoustic instruments...including the entire classical music genre, to say nothing of the city of Nashville.

    • @ljosdreki
      @ljosdreki Год назад +3

      ​@@manhattanmixing2700 I´m aware. And it's true I phrased this a little bit wrong. It would have been better to praise his experience of any played instrument, electrified and acoustic. I know he's known for his punk rock albums but his aesthetics really lend them selves well to acoustic music as well. I love the Singing Ax by J.Tillman and the Nina Nastasia albums.

  • @CamiloVelandia
    @CamiloVelandia Год назад

    Amazing. Thank you Steve and friends!

  • @xfreedwillx
    @xfreedwillx Год назад +1

    Yes!!! Please keep making these videos! Thank you

  • @brainwasher3742
    @brainwasher3742 Год назад +1

    Just.. priceless stuff here.. what a time to be alive

  • @kevinalanmattson
    @kevinalanmattson Год назад +1

    Exactly what I've been waiting for. The ensemble at the end brought many tears...

  • @mrmooch2163
    @mrmooch2163 Год назад

    Always had a respect for steve albinis realism and straight forward communication. Very cool to see him dig into a subject

  • @Twongo
    @Twongo Год назад +1

    I absolutely adore "the process". What a wonderful life to live.

  • @simccaffrey
    @simccaffrey Год назад +1

    This is so great! Thanks Steve, EA, et al!

  • @fredericdb4079
    @fredericdb4079 Год назад +2

    Hey I've seen plenty of videos, and this format and formula is so agreeable and instructive. I find it cool that you take a moment to talk with the musician. Thanks so much.

  • @gabrielhill9058
    @gabrielhill9058 Год назад +2

    This video was great from beginning to end, thank you Steve!

  • @mitekillem
    @mitekillem Год назад +5

    Man, I can't tell you enough how much I love and appreciate the extra detail you go into on these videos. It's just enough not to drag on, but also it fills in a lot of holes in my current understanding.
    You're a scientist.

  • @tonynemec1598
    @tonynemec1598 Месяц назад

    This is a master class on acoustic isolation recording. What a gift Steve left for us.

  • @marks6051
    @marks6051 Год назад +8

    So glad this video was posted. I had it on my mind to ask about acoustic instruments next time Steve popped up on some Q&A/reddit AMA or whatever, particularly after hearing the most recent Nina Nastasia record, which sounds beautiful both in performance and production. Thanks EA for addressing this topic!

  • @gregorycampagna8138
    @gregorycampagna8138 Год назад +1

    So glad you guys are back - great vid

  • @edgarcortes
    @edgarcortes Год назад +24

    Excellent lesson Steve and a brilliant way to teach! Please keep the lessons, the invited talent and the gags coming. The quality of these videos is better and better each time. Thanks for keeping this content open for everyone.

  • @Jordannofun
    @Jordannofun Год назад +6

    Fantastic video. Thank you!

  • @tecschooldropout
    @tecschooldropout Год назад

    thank you so much for sharing this, y'all are really supporting the creative class.

  • @douglasromayne
    @douglasromayne Год назад +3

    Best sounding banjo I've ever heard. Best sounding everything, for that matter. Thanks!

  • @panchoburboa
    @panchoburboa Год назад +3

    Steve you're the best. I'll be showing this to my students.

  • @ForTheLoveOfAudio
    @ForTheLoveOfAudio Год назад +1

    This video is a gift. Thank you.

  • @mrparkinson
    @mrparkinson Год назад +1

    Excellent video. Thanks for sharing!

  • @pursharthchawla8306
    @pursharthchawla8306 Месяц назад

    the best and the most useful video I've seen online on recording acoustic instruments. We'll miss you Mr. Albini for the many talents you had but moreover for the person you were and the ideals you stood for.

  • @chrisknight3734
    @chrisknight3734 Год назад

    This was the best demonstration yet.....thank you

  • @allancrow134
    @allancrow134 Год назад +2

    People that are really good at what they do can explain things in such detailed and succinct terms it makes it very easy to take a lot in. Thanks Steve. :)

  • @amphlett7
    @amphlett7 Год назад +13

    Kinda blown away by how good that crown mic sounded in all the examples.
    BRB, buying a dozen of em.

    • @anstaffer8482
      @anstaffer8482 Год назад

      Unfortunately it seems like they are out of production...

    • @amphlett7
      @amphlett7 Год назад +3

      @@anstaffer8482 that’s always the way

    • @ElectricalAudioOfficial
      @ElectricalAudioOfficial  Год назад +13

      The glm-200 is in production, I believe, and sounds similar but has lower max spl handling. The countryman isomax line is also quite good.

  • @FoxUncleCharlieKing
    @FoxUncleCharlieKing Год назад +3

    These are so informative, funny, and enjoyable.

  • @LaterHolmes
    @LaterHolmes Год назад

    What a nice surprise! Thanks!

  • @snarfusmaximus
    @snarfusmaximus Год назад +9

    Wonderfully useful information. So many videos on how to mic a guitar cab out there but this micing acoustic instruments is an art. I love the fact that you focus on what it is that the musician themselves finds unsatisfactory and showing how to avoid that.

  • @MrKablesp
    @MrKablesp Месяц назад +3

    RIP Steve, you will be sorely missed

  • @DavidMorley
    @DavidMorley Год назад +4

    Such a well made, educational video. Fantastic!

  • @bdmax17
    @bdmax17 Год назад +5

    Fantastic video as always

  • @glade_maker
    @glade_maker 28 дней назад

    Brilliant video, so thorough and insightful, thanks a lot!

  • @lucaslutzerler5429
    @lucaslutzerler5429 6 месяцев назад

    Thank you Electrical Audio Team!
    Second video I've seen from you and you've made my day.
    Thanks for all the info, tips and your humour!
    I still have tears in my eyes.
    A thousand thanks 🌺

  • @UdiKoomran
    @UdiKoomran Год назад +2

    So much inspiration
    So much to learn from
    Mr. Albini
    Thank you Sir

  • @nickproscia5865
    @nickproscia5865 День назад

    Thank you Steve

  • @MichaelClearyBand
    @MichaelClearyBand Месяц назад +1

    Lovely. Rest in peace, Steve.

  • @1800nodavid
    @1800nodavid Год назад +6

    These ribbon mics are insane at rejecting, fuck... thank you for this video!

  • @odomodometer
    @odomodometer Год назад

    Thanks Steve, you are a true inspiration!

  • @HukkitukkiUK
    @HukkitukkiUK Месяц назад +1

    Thank you Steve you helped us so much & with these videos continue to help us forever… rest in peace eternally. ❤

  • @Andyisdead81
    @Andyisdead81 Год назад +2

    That ensemble was EPIC! :D

  • @Soopahmahn
    @Soopahmahn Год назад

    Thank you Steve!

  • @adee2569
    @adee2569 Год назад +3

    Steve is the best!!! My wife recorded an album with him in 2006 and has the best stories of working with him. Long Live EA!

  • @johnpeters8060
    @johnpeters8060 Год назад

    amazing. Thanks Steve!

  • @peterpicker850
    @peterpicker850 Год назад +2

    Great video. Brilliant engineer, as always.

  • @phillipjohngregory4845
    @phillipjohngregory4845 7 месяцев назад

    Wonderful stuff, thanks for making these videos.

  • @Daniel-ec8fj
    @Daniel-ec8fj Год назад +3

    te amo steve albini, gracias por estos videos!

  • @cheesejr9321
    @cheesejr9321 Год назад

    always a good day when you guys upload

  • @boronoro
    @boronoro Год назад

    You rock! Love you all, guys!

  • @Calleisak
    @Calleisak Год назад +4

    Amazing as always!

  • @mark_fox_music
    @mark_fox_music Год назад +2

    Eloquence in simplicity that comes from years of learning and experience. True master of sound!
    To gift these lessons to with some humour is pure joy.
    First thing Im going to do now is get a microphone from the drawer and really learn it's patterns so I'm thinking way more visual shapes.
    Thank you so much!

  • @scottpsychodub6385
    @scottpsychodub6385 Год назад +1

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 🏆

  • @Mr_A_Mia
    @Mr_A_Mia Год назад +1

    Love these videos. Thank you guys

  • @hermano8160
    @hermano8160 Год назад +5

    My kind of humor, guys. Thanks for the informative yet entertaining videos!

  • @tekis0
    @tekis0 Месяц назад +1

    Invaluable information.

  • @myguitardidyermom212
    @myguitardidyermom212 Год назад

    Albini is a natural teacher, holy cow

  • @ThomC
    @ThomC Год назад +4

    Awesome video! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us :) I also loved seeing Rob playing as I've seen him perform a few times live with The Frames / Glen Hansard.

  • @nelesound
    @nelesound Год назад +9

    First video I've watched, such fantastic content, feeling grateful for the technical advice, and also for the production ~ video editing team is hilarious with so many wonderful additions, great job team!

  • @yegamosho1993
    @yegamosho1993 7 месяцев назад

    okay this is pure gold. thank you so much

  • @herbalfleece8821
    @herbalfleece8821 8 месяцев назад

    Thankyou so much, this is a fantastic service

  • @rickhbrown
    @rickhbrown Год назад +1

    Well done Mr. Albini!

  • @juliettbravobravo
    @juliettbravobravo 3 месяца назад

    Really fantastic and fascinating video, this one!

  • @MixReady
    @MixReady Год назад +1

    This was very interesting and extremely insightful! Thank you 🙌

  • @miikaroysko9591
    @miikaroysko9591 Год назад +2

    I know the "how important is is to buy expensive mics" was a joke but damn this video did a nice job of showcasing how beautiful these high end mics sound!💸💸💸

  • @ryanstauffer6785
    @ryanstauffer6785 Год назад +18

    Awesome video, glad to see you're back at it. I'd love something like this with a drumset, showing how different mics in different places affect the sound.

  • @MrBinthestudio
    @MrBinthestudio Год назад +1

    Fantastic video as always!

  • @sebastianschneller3938
    @sebastianschneller3938 6 месяцев назад +1

    That Banjo playing was soothing

  • @HenrikVindeby
    @HenrikVindeby Год назад

    I love your videos...informative AND fun!

  • @jeff40177
    @jeff40177 Год назад +2

    Informative and entertaining!

  • @3pi294
    @3pi294 Год назад

    Wow thanks for shearing! It sound great!

  • @nickkraska810
    @nickkraska810 Год назад

    Gold as always

  • @rickenbacker40011
    @rickenbacker40011 Год назад

    I was not ready or prepared to hear everyone playing something completely different at the end xD i love it!

  • @weaktearecords
    @weaktearecords Год назад +3

    Another incredible video! Thank you for so clearly telling us how to succeed. I have never dreamt of using a lavalier for recording, but it sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing your secrets

  • @thearmanhanda
    @thearmanhanda 11 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much for these videos! They really mean a lot 🙏

  • @shadowcolorado3668
    @shadowcolorado3668 Месяц назад +4

    Safe and effective