Recording Acoustic Guitar with 2 SM57s - Amazing Sound, Easy to do, and Cheap

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  • Опубліковано 8 січ 2025

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  • @studiodebras
    @studiodebras 5 років тому +126

    I would have been perfectly happy with just the over-the-shoulder mic, surprisingly nice tone. I suspect the room has something to do with that too.

  • @Kitzy
    @Kitzy 5 років тому +12

    I was surprised by how much I liked the shoulder mic alone.
    I use a similar technique with a ribbon as a shoulder mic, and a LDC as the front mic. Panning them hard left and hard right sounds huge. Definitely great for a singer/songwriter vibe where the acoustic guitar is the instrumental focus. I’ll have to try this with 57s next time and see how they compare. Thanks for the great idea!

  • @strongtowermuzik5440
    @strongtowermuzik5440 5 років тому +10

    Probably the best mic technique I've learned on UA-cam this far. Great job man!!

  • @TTH4245
    @TTH4245 2 роки тому +5

    Tried this tonight and it sounded really really good. Thank you for sharing

  • @ardobkin
    @ardobkin 5 років тому +7

    I appreciate all the hard work that went into editing this video together! all the different compression, takes, and mics all line up with the video effortlessly... and it certainly isn't effortless! Thanks for all these videos, they've expanded my knowledge exponentially.

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому +2

      Thanks Adam. Yeah it takes around 2-8 hours to edit. This one was about 4 or 5.

  • @donbmf7408
    @donbmf7408 Рік тому +1

    That overhead mic is fantastic and the combination even better!!!

  • @0bjko0
    @0bjko0 5 років тому +40

    Not a big fan of the placement of the frontal mic, but the overhead is incredible. I'll definitly try that.
    I think the front one may be slightly better off-axis. This is definitly worth trying. Great video!

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому +13

      Yeah, this was my first and only placement. We filmed about 20 different things yesterday and I also want to stress that this technique doesn't suck with almost no effort.

    • @0bjko0
      @0bjko0 5 років тому +3

      @@creativesoundlab Yeah it's still way better than what we can expect from an acoustic guitar recorded with only 57's. And that's a very good starting point to experience even more with this technic. I'm definitly going to consider trying that for my next recording gig.

  • @Tarnith
    @Tarnith 5 років тому +2

    I really like the sound of the stereo pan. It has a very balanced yet interesting spread that I really wasn't expecting. Almost sounds good enough to replace a double track!

  • @elstevious
    @elstevious 11 місяців тому

    I just did this with my old 78 taka 12 stringer and it sounded great. I’ll be using this technique all the time. Thank you

  • @dawsonabel6068
    @dawsonabel6068 5 років тому +13

    I'm very impressed with this technique and will definitely be using it myself in the future. It's just more proof that you don't need expensive gear to have a good sounding recording, you just need to be a good engineer.

    • @soulslip
      @soulslip Рік тому +1

      That’s probably 90% of it. Like what Steve Albini says about using even cheap mic preamps is better than not using them etc.... if you know what you are doing can still make fantastic recordings on cheaper gear

  • @Sidechainkik
    @Sidechainkik 4 роки тому +2

    I’ve been recording Acoustic guitars with a ribbon, mid side, and a small diaphragm. This SM57 technique is far better sounding. Nice and tight, even without the compressor. Thank you for putting together this great video. You Sir remind me of a professor I had in school, I think he invented sound, or had a close personal relationship with it. LoL

  • @arijman454
    @arijman454 2 місяці тому

    absolutely brilliant technique, just tried it out myself and was surprised at the results

  • @jamaisdirei
    @jamaisdirei Рік тому +2

    Nebraska, de Bruce Springsteen foi todo gravado com 2 SM57 e uma Tascam Portastudio

  • @catface101
    @catface101 5 років тому +10

    Would love to hear how this compares to using LDCs or pencil condensers in the same configuration.

  • @PEPPERMINT606
    @PEPPERMINT606 4 роки тому

    Makes a lot of sense. Kinda gives you the perspective (acoustically) of what the player hears vs the listener.

  • @SatanicJamnic
    @SatanicJamnic 5 років тому +5

    I have never touched guitar. I don't make music. And I like to watch your content, just because it's produced well, and I like how you explain things. Cheers.

  • @resslerartstudios
    @resslerartstudios 4 роки тому +2

    Dude, I tried it. totally awesome! didn't have 2 57's so I subbed one with a beta57a - The beta57a up top, and the sm57 front. same as you did in the vid. still tweekin with positions but like the whole sound I am getting. Thanks!

  • @CamiloVelandia
    @CamiloVelandia 4 роки тому +1

    Wow really digging that top mic position!

  • @yackohoopy
    @yackohoopy 5 років тому +1

    I did something similar to that years ago. I had an SM57 tilted up near the soundhole and a large diaphragm condenser about 4-5 feet away to capture the room. Together they sounded amazing. I kept both tracks. Downside was that the earphones bled like crazy and you could hear the click track.

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому

      Ah, yeah that's a good point about the headphone bleed.

    • @davidmccune2632
      @davidmccune2632 2 роки тому

      Thank goodness.. I thought I was the only one with headphone bleed issues.. when I mention it at music stores and try to inquire about headphones that don't bleed out, they look at me like I'm crazy. I did my own research and Shure SRH1540 headphones come up.. They claim no bleed at all. Does anybody out there know this to be true?

    • @yackohoopy
      @yackohoopy 2 роки тому

      @@davidmccune2632, I changed my headphones to the Vic Firth headphones and nothing gets through those.

    • @davidmccune2632
      @davidmccune2632 2 роки тому

      @@yackohoopy which model may I ask ?

    • @yackohoopy
      @yackohoopy 2 роки тому

      @@davidmccune2632, the Vic Firth SIH2. They have a Bluetooth version of it too. They’re only about $90

  • @mattuskamusic
    @mattuskamusic 11 місяців тому

    Listening to you switching them between the two it might be effective to use one mic position for the verse and the other from the chorus. Or even change the pan between the two.

  • @tommyflowers7098
    @tommyflowers7098 2 роки тому

    Clearly presented and a great technique. You have an approachable personality for these demonstrations and explainations. Well done!

  • @CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy
    @CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy 3 роки тому +2

    Really nice video. I'm gonna try this when I get better at guitar (just starting; played piano for years though). I already have one SM57, so half way there on the gear! Cheap and great results!

  • @GoodxJ
    @GoodxJ 4 місяці тому +1

    would love to see a singer-songwriter set up with the two 57's. How would you set them up to record the vocals with one mic and the guitar on the other ?

  • @earlgmusic
    @earlgmusic 5 років тому +1

    Of course, this is about recording 'rhythm' acoustic guitar. To me, instruments and vocals are equally specific. Here, it depends on the guitar, technique, method of playing (picks, fingerpicks, nails, flesh), and musical context. But your approach is certainly relevant. Thanks for the video!

  • @thecamocanoe
    @thecamocanoe 5 років тому +10

    This shall be dubbed the “Ryan Method”. Sounded great.

  • @wasabifox
    @wasabifox 5 років тому +2

    The ‘CSL’ micing for acoustic guitars... this will my recording method for acoustic guitars from now on. Thank you VERY much!

  • @joshjenkinson1929
    @joshjenkinson1929 2 роки тому

    Amazing mics. Sound great on loads of things without any EQ or messing about as long as you place them correctly.

  • @garyshirinian
    @garyshirinian 5 років тому +1

    It really sounds good . Thx for sharing this technique on UA-cam.

  • @GoodxJ
    @GoodxJ 4 місяці тому +1

    57 is a great mic, sounds good! 👍🏼🤠🫡✌🏼

  • @merenco
    @merenco 5 років тому

    This is definately worth a shot. Been experimenting with shoulder mics the last few days. Now I will try it with the 57's as well as with a few cheapo condenser pencils. Thanks!

  • @ChristianIce
    @ChristianIce 5 років тому +20

    There was a huge ring around 600 Hz on the front mic alone.
    Did you notch it out or it disappeared by phase cancellation?

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому +12

      Um, yeah I noticed that too. I think there was a boost that came naturally at 680. I meant to talk about this, but forgot. I don't think I did any EQ in that frequency range.

    • @MeTuLHeD
      @MeTuLHeD 5 років тому +1

      Comb filtering...?

  • @J-DUB-F1
    @J-DUB-F1 5 років тому +11

    Sounds really nice!. Very natural with no hype in the low or highs.
    A couple questions.
    1- is your recording space really dry?
    2-What pre were you using, and did you have to really gain it up?
    Having a dynamic that far away I've never been able to capture an acoustic, not without cranking the pre up and if there's a comp making up gain there. This of course will raise the noise floor, and if you don't have aq reasonably sound proofed room, it's a big problem.

    • @loudtim265
      @loudtim265 5 років тому +1

      This is a solid question. I think a lot of newer ppl have trouble getting this kind of clarity in general without a good bit of hiss. Get rid of the noise and the source starts to sound a little distant or even grainy (?). The room is certainly a big factor here along with proper gain staging, but it might be worth a walk-thru vid of micing and recording an acoustic instrument from step 0 to hitting the rec button.

    • @chadnathanbenson
      @chadnathanbenson 5 років тому +1

      John Wells +1 to John’s question!! I deal with a similar issue regarding noise floor and micing from those distances.

    • @benoittissier58
      @benoittissier58 3 роки тому +2

      Get a Fethead or equivalent and you'll be surprised how much a 57 can achieve ! It is powered by phantom power and brings 27 dB of clean gain.

  • @rothconrad5428
    @rothconrad5428 4 роки тому

    I think this is really. Just got my first to sm57s and I can't wait to try it!

  • @GarrettGardnermusic
    @GarrettGardnermusic 5 років тому

    The over the shoulder mic surprised me but makes sense. That’s the perspective I hear my acoustic when I’m playing, so it’s a familiar sound. Nice!

  • @AdamRainStopper
    @AdamRainStopper 5 років тому

    A new video? A new video! This is exactly what I need right now.

  • @tedroberts4540
    @tedroberts4540 3 роки тому

    Great job on the technique and the video presentation

  • @RedHeadGuitar
    @RedHeadGuitar 5 років тому +3

    Sounds amazing. The over the-the-shoulder mic sounds a lot like what you hear as a player, that's really neat combined with the traditional mic up front. I've got one SM57 and a AKG P420 (2nd gen, not one of the horrible blue ones). I wonder how this works together. I'm thinking of putting the P420 condenser over the shoulder for some crisp high end and the SM57 up front for it delivers some smooth mid range.

  • @amgauctions29musicgearandm31
    @amgauctions29musicgearandm31 10 місяців тому

    Wow !!! Technically excellent guitarist, dynamically adept.

  • @TheSimonarne
    @TheSimonarne 5 років тому

    i did a technique you showed but i addded a room mic and i kept the di aswell so. so what i did was i put one mic to the body from the left side when looking at the guitarist and from the 12 fret towards the sound hole and i panned those hard left right and i put the di in until i liked the ratio and did the same with the room mic. i placed the room mic at about the same height as the head of the player behind him and i was pleased with that sound

  • @dinoschachten
    @dinoschachten 4 роки тому

    1:31 I see what you did there. :D Amazing, I never thought SM57s would sound this pleasing on detail-rich, organic instruments - well, let's be honest, individually they don't. All the more remarkable that they can be made to in this configuration.

  • @martinbergmartinberg
    @martinbergmartinberg 5 років тому

    Great method.
    Really helps with a natural recording. Used two small condensers and it worked really nice. I found it gave a lot of room to move for the player without affecting the sound badly.

  • @kapitbanda
    @kapitbanda Рік тому

    this is a very good demonstration, thank you !

  • @revoxjazz
    @revoxjazz 5 років тому

    I like things explained in this way. I like the Shure SM57 and I like the sound of a perfectly audible acoustic guitar. I do not know in what other circumstances this setup would work well but from what I realized, this is a very reasonable way to get a decent sound from an acoustic guitar, so I just have to thank you for this suggestion.

    • @fishbake7
      @fishbake7 5 років тому

      What is a huge factor is, how does it sound in a mix?

  • @Bills_Place
    @Bills_Place 5 років тому +2

    Surprisingly good, I'm going to try this. I might try the same placement with Rode NT-5s (since that's the only other mic I happen to have 2 of in my "studio")

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому +2

      Yeah, go for it. For the NT5, I would gently reduce the highs just so that the lows and mids are stronger. That's actually the mic I talk into.

  • @TruffulaTreeGTR
    @TruffulaTreeGTR 3 роки тому

    Good work!! Definitely going to test this.

  • @catsven1973
    @catsven1973 5 років тому

    I use three cheap great mics no place for excuses...
    1- AkG P170 above the guitar as OH
    2- SM 57... 45° near the neck
    3- Audio technica AT2020 3 feet in front of the hole of the guitar
    Than i pan the 2 condenser.. L&R while I keep the Sm57 in the center and i blend with faders and EQ the part which need to forge the needed sound.

    • @esongsore
      @esongsore 5 років тому +1

      That sounds like quite a bit of work.. I will experiment with your technique though.

  • @kimhansen6384
    @kimhansen6384 5 років тому

    Very interesting experiment. I wouldn´t have thought that, but I actually liked the agressive compressed version quite much.

  • @mikeberk3214
    @mikeberk3214 5 років тому

    Cool! I tried this before I ever saw this video but I placed 1 mic about 12 inches in front of the sound hole (for bass) and 1 mic the same distance in front of the 12th fret (for treble). also came out great!

  • @violaobrasileiro
    @violaobrasileiro 3 роки тому

    Great technique and amazing video. Cheers!

  • @thomas.cloutier-guay
    @thomas.cloutier-guay 5 років тому +5

    i would try a ribbon for the top mic, i usualy mic violin with a nice condenser on front and a ribbon on equal distance on top.

    • @martint444
      @martint444 5 років тому

      Should not it be the other way round by an acoustic guitar then? It plays or is oriented to the front where the violin upwards.

    • @alanshewitt
      @alanshewitt 4 роки тому

      Except most of the high-end detail information is coming from the top mic, which would be pretty much negated with the use of a ribbon, no?

    • @ezrashanti
      @ezrashanti 4 роки тому

      @@alanshewitt Ribbons are not always as rolled off as people seem to think. An r44 yes, but there are a lot of beautiful open sounding ribbons.

  • @adamkowalski6733
    @adamkowalski6733 5 років тому +6

    I'd never liked acoustic guitars miked with SM57. You've just changed my mind, this technique is awesome. I'll definitely remember it! ;)
    Good job and keep up the good work!

  • @noseconeprophets
    @noseconeprophets 3 роки тому

    Ive found using a track with "Nashville Tuning" is a cheap way to add some brightness to the track.

  • @sfn4702
    @sfn4702 5 років тому

    Your videos are so good, I always learn something! Thanks man.

  • @steveapplegate322
    @steveapplegate322 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks for that demonstration but if I put my 57s that far away they would not pick up. I’m not sure why but I have to raise my record level to the highest point to get sound. I’ve even tried a different interface with same result. Do I need some sort of a preamp? Thanks again, Steve

  • @JaneWillowMusic
    @JaneWillowMusic 4 роки тому

    I loved this video Thank you!

  • @aSpeaker2BlocksAway
    @aSpeaker2BlocksAway 5 років тому

    Saved my life. Thank you. Worked so great yesterday.

  • @robertoj.fernandez2189
    @robertoj.fernandez2189 5 років тому

    I had used this techinc recording Mariachi Nylon string guitar to mono tracks and doubled it.

  • @Passenger-hn5fb
    @Passenger-hn5fb 3 роки тому

    Cool technique! There's some other helpful gems in here too:) cheers!

  • @daleonov
    @daleonov 4 роки тому

    Cool! Really liked it both in mono and in stereo

  • @SuperCullen69
    @SuperCullen69 5 років тому +2

    The player looks at the camera as soon as the mics are together like “yeah listen to that shit” lol

  • @JesseWitneyMusic
    @JesseWitneyMusic 4 роки тому

    I'm looking forward to giving this a go. Thanks very much!

  • @skipper6528
    @skipper6528 5 років тому +1

    Love this channel

  • @adozensparrows
    @adozensparrows 5 років тому

    That's the next method I'll be trying. Very nice stereo.

  • @ytb917
    @ytb917 5 років тому

    interesting mic placement with a nice result. instead of both mics in front, you went with an overhead! very innovative, because an acoustic guitar is not thought of typically as an overhead mic concept.

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому

      Yeah it’s not my idea but I’ve just figured out that a sm57 can work well with this.

  • @SufyMusic
    @SufyMusic 5 років тому

    I found with headphones the hard panning sounded a bit odd for me but it sounded good still, just not used to that width

  • @reinaldolopezh
    @reinaldolopezh 5 років тому

    Man! Great tip for recording acoustic guitar... Thanks for sharing

  • @lamusicamerodea
    @lamusicamerodea 5 років тому

    Great data as allways. Thanks man!

  • @chaoticlove7988
    @chaoticlove7988 3 роки тому

    Any recommendations on mic placement on a pop/rock acoustic song just voice and acoustic guitar? I have a Rhode nt2a , sm57, and sm7b mic?

  • @Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials
    @Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials 5 років тому +16

    you applied the “recordman” to a guitar☺️

  • @kniferideaudio
    @kniferideaudio Рік тому

    we have always referred to this placement as "Top/Side". Not to different than how an overhead placement on a Glenn Johns drum placement works. It's great with violin from about 3' high/away

  • @westchester1R
    @westchester1R 5 років тому +50

    How do you record a song about an 8-ball?
    ...with a-cue-stick guitar.
    Ahhh...4:42

  • @terrydoylemusic
    @terrydoylemusic 5 років тому

    Great video. I have been doing this with two Cascade ribbons and I call it Glyn Johns guitar :-)

    • @truckerkevthepaidtourist
      @truckerkevthepaidtourist 5 років тому

      find out who the hell knows who Glynn or his late brother Andy even our will be amazing lol

  • @peddlebreaker
    @peddlebreaker 3 роки тому +2

    Amazing technique and video Ryan, thank you! How did you get 2 57's to sound that good without any noise? What pre's were you using?

  • @chaoticlove7988
    @chaoticlove7988 3 роки тому +1

    Also what is the distance from mic to guitar?

  • @RoyBattyLives
    @RoyBattyLives 8 місяців тому

    Won’t you need a couple of cloud lifters for that distance from the guitar, especially when finger picking?

  • @AnshYadav-ki9ph
    @AnshYadav-ki9ph 6 місяців тому

    Really nice video.. Which audio interface should I buy, and does it will affect the tone or audio quality of the Mics ? Should I go for Audient id4 or Volt 276 ?
    Thanks for the informative video it really helps.

  • @yuhreed
    @yuhreed 2 роки тому

    how do you get the mic to record loud but not pick up movement around the room? my sm57 records really quiet and when I compress it to make it louder it sounds really bad and full of random noises in my room. I use a focusrite scarlett solo and record into fl studios with a noise cancellation and a compressor as the bus

  • @maldonadocorrea
    @maldonadocorrea 2 роки тому

    excelente, como siempre se aprende mucho

  • @arifreeman
    @arifreeman 5 років тому +5

    I like the over shoulder mic more.

    • @creativesoundlab
      @creativesoundlab  5 років тому +1

      Yeah me too. Should have did some thing different with the front mic.

    • @kyleexten9998
      @kyleexten9998 5 років тому

      @@creativesoundlab The front mic is definitely "duller", but it needs to be. I personally think the mixture between the two sounds fantastic, a very realistic sound! Almost like I've got the guitar in my lap

  • @patrickfouhy9102
    @patrickfouhy9102 5 років тому

    only person I've ever hear saying that putting a mic on the sound hole is good. I guess at that distance, the low end has time to spread out a bit. Cool trick, I think I'll give it a shot!

  • @joshuagutierrez8407
    @joshuagutierrez8407 3 роки тому

    Great video! Wow, you made this sound like a million bucks! At the beginning you said you had been double-mic’ing for other things. Now I’m curious what “Top-End” mics sound like using this technique.

  • @joelolofsson3604
    @joelolofsson3604 5 років тому

    really cool! gonna try this sometime

  • @zacgrubble9824
    @zacgrubble9824 5 років тому

    Well done and thanks for sharing!

  • @goldensleeves
    @goldensleeves 5 років тому +1

    What would you call this stereo micing technique? Also, how far are the mics from the guitar? Also, why does the mic from above sound so good? I would expect that it would not have much detail but it sound clearer than the mic actually facing the guitar. Thanks in advance. Great video. Subscribed.

  • @bluzikmusic
    @bluzikmusic 2 роки тому

    Very interesting video - thanks. Find the overhead mike picks up my breathing. Any suggestions (apart from not breathing!) to either stop that occurring or EQ'ing the breathing out afterwards? I use the guitar preamp in tandem with a Lewitt Audio LCT 140 mike pointing at frets 14/12. Which technique do you think produces the better sound?

  • @HomeStudioBasics
    @HomeStudioBasics 4 роки тому

    Hey man what mic combo would you suggest for acoustic guitar + singing at the same time? Do you think this setup would be good for that?

  • @paulstefanowicz4236
    @paulstefanowicz4236 5 років тому

    Great tip; great technique. Thank you

  • @peterjackson9529
    @peterjackson9529 2 роки тому

    Great video!

  • @pfkmsandiego
    @pfkmsandiego 3 роки тому

    i have the mic close to the acoustic and the knob for the channel input CRANKED and i can barely get my clarett 8pre to register the sound... wtf am i missing? u have the mics really far away compared to how i see most acoustic guitar recorded. seems really cool but i can't get my sm57 to register much sound... help?

  • @rainbowstudioscrimea
    @rainbowstudioscrimea 2 роки тому

    How sm57 can sound so clear without any hiss? mics are ssso far from the guitar, so they shoud take a room sound a little bit even if it dry.am i right? :) very nice video and sound!

  • @Rondozza
    @Rondozza 5 років тому

    funny...your dreadlocks geting longer and longer over the years :) reminds me of my dreads. i had mine for 17 years. great video as ever by the way. thank you. greetings from germany

  • @reneliebregt6319
    @reneliebregt6319 5 років тому +2

    Nice video and yes sm57 are cheap mics but it is nice to have a tegeler audio preamp that cost around ten times more than 2 sm57 🤓

  • @ok-tchau
    @ok-tchau 5 років тому

    I use stereo acoustic guitar way more than mono. Less crap to battle with the vocals and bass. But I usually XY with LDCs.

  • @baraments
    @baraments 3 роки тому

    My sm57 is plugged to a scarlet solo. But the result is not loud enough. I turned the gain knob for about 3/4 to avoid the unwanted noise. Is it normal? Need your help

  • @florindinu4348
    @florindinu4348 3 роки тому

    Hi!
    Beautiful acoustic image. I really love the woody sound of sm57!
    Can it be done with separate compressors?
    Let's say: dbx160a and wa76. Each for one microphone?

  • @anterdogan
    @anterdogan 4 роки тому

    Recently I wanted to record a Turkish Cura. I used one SM57 and placed it really closely to the instrument because I barely could get any signal into my interface. So when I saw your mic-placement, I was wondering whether you cranked up the gain on your interface or if you used a preamp in this recording. It would be great if you could give me an answer :)

  • @JuanMotta
    @JuanMotta 5 років тому

    Thank you, i'm going to trie it with a cheaper version of the shure, pyle pdmi78, to see what would happen.

  • @saam6768
    @saam6768 5 років тому

    This was one of the best videos you've done in a while. Not that there are any bad ones, but this was just awesome. Do you happen to recall what pre-amps were used with the respective microphones?

  • @dimitriskorontzis8699
    @dimitriskorontzis8699 5 років тому

    Hello you think it will work the same good as your example if you play something more delicated with the fingers like arpegios?

  • @jackbrown3270
    @jackbrown3270 3 роки тому +1

    holy fuck i had my mic about 5 inches away from the guitar. lol oooops and i never thought to put a mic up high above the guitar like that. THANKS FOR THE HELP!