Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide
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Chapter 7: Recording Acoustic Guitar
The Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System has a number of features that let you obtain a natural,
traditional acoustic guitar sound, or something more modern with a wide stereo spread. The Sphere
system lets you adjust mic type and polar pattern, even after tracking, which can be extremely helpful
for dialing in the right sound. Most of the techniques described here can also be applied to recording
other acoustical instruments.
The pattern and off-axis settings control the amount of room sound picked up by the mic. The bass
response is often exaggerated due to the proximity effect, especially when the mic is pointed near the
guitar’s sound hole. Angling the mic towards the neck or pulling it farther back from the guitar can
solve the bass problem, but the sound will change in ways that may, or may not, be beneficial. With
Sphere technology you can independently adjust the amount of proximity effect, which provides
more flexibility in mic placement. The Proximity control adjusts the amount of proximity effect in a
different way than just applying EQ. In fact, this control changes the polar pattern of the mic at low
frequencies, simulating what would happen if the capsule was physically modified to have a different
amount of proximity effect.
Even though Sphere technology lets you adjust a wide range of parameters after recording, there is
no substitute for proper mic placement. Many acoustic instruments, including acoustic guitar, have
complex dispersion patterns, which means that each area of the instrument can radiate very different
sounds. For example, the neck area of an acoustic guitar emits a bright, crisp sound compared to the
soundhole, which produces more low frequencies. You can emphasize string and fret sound by
placing the mic further up the neck and/or closer to the strings.
TIP:
Put your finger in one ear and listen to the guitar at various potential mic locations until you find
a spot you like, and place the mic there. If you are working alone, you can monitor the guitar
with isolated headphones while playing, and then move the guitar around to find the best spot.
This is easier to do if you are standing up wearing a guitar strap.
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