Acoustic Guitar Sound

[UAL1009]

Hey Guys, I'm working on getting a great acoustic sound. I have a Gibson J 185 and a few condenser mics. I'm trying to get a nice "raw", yet thick sound. I'm trying to get something similar to the song black balloon by the Goo Goo Dolls.

YouTube - Black Balloon- Goo Goo Dolls

This is one of my favorite sounds. What can be done to get a sound close to this song? Thanks A lot.

Erik

[Vulconizer]

Experiment with mic placement. Experiment with where you sit with the guitar in the room. Experiment with picks.

I'd suggest middle of the room that your guitar sounds best in, medium gauge pick, and a condensor about 12 inches or more out in front of the 12th fret. to start....

[cschuby]

Agree with Vulconizer..experimenting is key. One possible suggestion:

Start with a small diaphragm condenser in the "standard" acoustic position- about 12" from where the neck meets the body, angled slightly toward the sound hole.

Set up a large diaphragm condenser near your head aiming down at the guitar to simulate what you are hearing. This takes a little experimenting, but once you find the right spot you can get a big acoustic sound.

Good luck.

[brandondrury]

I find that different acoustic guitars vary quite a bit. The ideal mic placement for one is a boomy mess for another. While you certainly have a "good" acoustic guitar, only a bunch of experimentation will really highlight if it's the "right" acoustic guitar.

Brandon

[UAL1009]

Thanks a lot guys for all of the answers. It really helps a lot. I agree that it does take a lot of experimentation to get a good sound. My problem is it always sounds good when I mix it through my head phones, but then sounds dead when it is played on cd. I'll try and post a sample of my recordings to see what I can improve on. Thanks again.

Erik

[manwilde]

You should NEVER mix using your headphones, unless maybe if you´re at the final stages and everything is pretty much "in proper order". There´s many a reason in not doing so, but to make this short: don´t expect the sound on your headphones to be the same as your stereo, and viceversa. Listen analytically to your favourite recording on both headphones and the stereo...Does it sound the same?. Why not?.
Cheers.