Acoustic Guitar Mixing Do's and Dont's

The TRUTH about what to and NOT to do when mixing acoustic guitars!
*****Also I misspoke at around 7:29 in this video in saying I would mic the guitar at the 12th fret. I would mic the guitar where the neck meets the body. My bad!
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[@mortalflower1]

Been struggling with acoustic guitar recordings forever, due to my less than ideal recording environment. Never considered how compression was bring up bad room resonances. This is one of the most useful videos I've seen on the subject!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks a lot!

[@wolfhard2420]

Couldn’t agree more

[@BobbyHuff]

@@wolfhard2420 thanks man!

[@wolfhard2420]

@@BobbyHuff I have to thank you a lot more, because this was the very thing that ruined my otherwise really good sound. And I did not know why. Now I am a lot more careful with compression.

[@BobbyHuff]

@@wolfhard2420 fantastic! And you’re welcome! You can thank CLA…I learned it from him!

[@davebops2478]

Lovely sound, Doc. You just keep sharing all these goodies with us. Thanks so much!

[@BobbyHuff]

My pleasure!

[@andreasfranzmann9634]

This is what I do every day, recording and producing acoustic tracks. Not many tutorials on KZbin regarding this topic, especially not many helpful ones. This is certainly the most beneficial tutorial I have seen sofar. Thank you Bob, awesome video!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Andreas!

[@SteveWilliams-5150]

Fantastic sound Bobby! Nicely done. I will put these tips to use in my acoustic recordings for sure.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Steve!

[@1shannonleggette]

Great video. It’s really help me out with some issues I’ve been having… Thanks, Bobby.

[@MrRadioMusic]

Excellent...and super helpful. I recently learned this inadvertently when I had unknowingly disabled my compressors on the acoustics that I had put on as a matter of course; like you said. So much more natural and the parts did not get lost in the mix without the heavy 1176!

[@BobbyHuff]

Great! Agreed!

[@twango63]

Fantastic as always.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Twang!

[@collegestatistics]

So tasteful! Love it!

[@TrevorHelt]

Always great stuff!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Trevor!

[@charliebryce3783]

Great help, Using a compressor with a built in high pass filter and blend knob helps, since the high pass stops the compressor being triggered by the lower mids and the blend gives you the option of uncompressed and compressed signal to prevent the signal being smashed.

[@PickettMusic]

I actually made the compression mistake to get all Boston-y / Firehouse-y and then went to EQ purgatory trying to get it sitting right Great content as always man...thanks!

[@GoldTopDeluxe70]

Excellent advice!!! (Cleared my sinuses right out…) I’ll be using this tomorrow, thanks doc 😎

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Dr Bob, that simple trick really adds a ton of depth to the acoustic guitar. Sometimes less is more, and sometimes more is less. In this example more mics = more depth and a unique sound not heard without this setup. Very common to have 1 mic and 1 channel for each acoustic, and 1 channel for each electric guitar. I would not have ever thought of double mic for acoustic. Double mics on drums is done all the time, and now we can add double mic on acoustic guitars as well. Dr B, I have a young artist, Lucy Thomas from UK who has already released 3 albums and numerous singles. She was a semi finalist in Voice - Kids UK at age 14. She didn't win, but she did get a lucrative record contract from one of biggest labels in UK. The reason I bring it up is because Lucy is performing 'Over The Rainbow' (Eva Cassidy - RIP) and she is accompanied by David Frankland playing acoustic guitar. Mic setup is very simple; 1 mic for Lucy (she always uses this mic) and 1 mic for the acoustic. I would love some feedback. David also has a KZbin channel and he is very versatile with any guitar he plays. Link: Lucy and David 'Over The Rainbow'. Lucy hits crescendo at 3:30. Lucy was 17 at the time. Interesting note; Lucy uses 1 mic, 1 camera, performs songs start to finish with no edits on most of her performances. This is the first and only time Lucy has ever sat performing. She is an outstanding performer with physical deliver skills better than pros with decades of experience. It is killing her to not use her hands. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGKtp3enmNBnqa8 Link: David playing electric with acoustic playing style. Very unique sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6S6g3Wqiaqsi9E As always - many thanks Dr B.

[@rivinduwanniachchi1126]

Beautiful guitar part and playing.

[@jackstanton1091]

Thanks, Doc! Really good stuff

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Jack!

[@suchitputhalat4796]

great as always Doctor !

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Suchit!

[@michaelparson-mcnamara782]

Now you've given me a target! If/when my acoustic guitars (+Nashville and mandolin) sound like that I will feel very pleased and content! Thanks Dr Bob!

[@BobbyHuff]

Haha! Thanks Michael!

[@jjtweed-music]

Comment Love: Keep it up Bob, known you since 5k subscribers. Keep going! Great material.

[@seanemmettfullerton]

Awesome Bobby! Quick story: When he first started recording, Nathan East was determined to learn how to track his bass without compression. Dick and Randy at Sound Chamber in Pasadena would set him up so that he could watch the VU meters while practicing by himself. C-razy! The rest is l'histoire... :)

[@BobbyHuff]

That's awesome!!! I had an engineer in college named Brian Hardin that would track me playing drums so I could watch the meters on the kick and snare and see if I was consistent!

[@seanemmettfullerton]

@@BobbyHuff Incredible! It paid off :) you are soooo consistent and steady. Love watching you play...

[@BrockBarr]

Damn! That's super sweet Dr Bob.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Brock!

[@mollygriswold7979]

I love the saturation trick and the de-esser. Sometimes a touch of L1 or transient reduction can smooth harsh pick scratching.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Molly!

[@freez092also]

Lots of gems in here Bobby thanks for this one!! Acoustic guitar is almost always a feature part of my songs.. I use an award winning Riversong Guitar built by my friend here in Kamloops BC!!

[@BobbyHuff]

Very Cool Brad!

[@nugatory626]

Masterpiece!

[@ktownson]

That had to be “Willin’” by Lowell George. Very tasty playing and sound!

[@BobbyHuff]

Correct!!!!

[@recordman555]

@@BobbyHuff I've driven every kinda' plugin that's ever been made - - - rode the faders until I got paid.

[@MackAxyzz]

@@BobbyHuff the linda ronstadt version is great w/sneaky pete kleinow on pedal steel

[@viol8rmusic]

Good stuff as always. I think I remember a Chris Selim video where he used a technique called "butter compression". Using the simple Cubase Clean Compressor, he set the threshold all the way down, -60. But the smallest ratio 1:1.2. Basically the whole signal being compressed slightly, not just the top triggering, gain reduction only comes down a couple dbs, and the transients aren't smashed. But just better overall control of s breathy attack and warm resonance. Seemed to work perfectly in a mix when I needed pretty background filler, but not an upfront sound.

[@BobbyHuff]

YES!!!

[@rome8180]

I've always heard people talk about an LA-3A on acoustic guitars. Personally, I only really use an 1176 on vocals.

[@donjoefonzarelli9785]

This is great. Thanks, Doc you rule

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Don!

[@MrHhkrohn]

Sounds fantastic, next step...figure out all of the plug ins used and see what can be used with my stock plug ins in the daw to achieve moretheless the same. It's always a jungle with those plug ins and makes you empty your bank account Great video men !

[@ardiris2715]

I have been using your de-essing tip from some time back, tape saturation and an adjustment in my technique. A little dip at 400hz and roll off at 100 hz, and I rarely use compression any more. If I need more attack, I use regular saturation instead of tape. De-essing though made the big difference. I still compress 12 string acoustics, but they are an altogether different monster anyway. (:

[@BobbyHuff]

Great!!

[@JulianFernandez]

sounds great!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Julian!

[@shayeasy]

I love using a GML style EQ to cut honky and brittle frequencies using a sharp Q - that EQ is both surgical and subtle. add makeup gain to compensate and it instantly makes guitars sound less demo and more finished record.

[@BobbyHuff]

Great advice!

[@thaddeusodonnell3986]

Thanks for making a vid on this, was talkin about how I didn't like the sounds I'd get out of any of my mics, placements, or acoustics. The acoustic and room are important, but not as much as Id come to think. I really wanna try using just a touch of a double track w/ an ovation 12 string, I believe Jeff Lynne would do that to get his super bright but not too bright top end.

[@BobbyHuff]

I did a video on the Jeff Lynne/Wilburys acoustic sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6nSY36JaJpkqMU

[@neilanderson9151]

Cool vid

[@mahobayray]

Spot on! No need for a clockwork orange when it comes to processing acoustic guitar.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Maho!

[@makemusicordie]

Great advice :)

[@BobbyHuff]

THanks!

[@TwoSouls-productions]

🎉fantastic

[@willsnyder8735]

Bobby, this is maybe one of my favorite videos you’ve done. These “tricks” are faaaaaar more suitable to dial in a plush & higher quality sound. Also, the big sexy hair gel joke got me hahahaha! Love this channel, this is exactly what audio engineering & production is about. Also, curious what type of headphones you use? Do you prefer headphones for mixing?

[@BobbyHuff]

Yes I do! I use Sennheiser 650 HD headphones to get about 85% of the mix done and then close it out on speakers.

[@HuffwareStudio]

Another great surgery Doc... Just in time Cuz😎👍🏻... I'm tracking Acoustic gtrs... "Less is more" 🎯

[@BobbyHuff]

GREAT! How are you my fellow Huff?

[@RickDrift]

Theres a band I love called the Dodos, Great band if your into acoustic music, But I remember the recording engineer claiming they micd up the hand on the neck to pick up the sound of fingers scraping and fretting the strings.

[@zarlok5294]

I’ve always hated compression on acoustic guitars. A little? Maybe. It needs to sound the way it sounds. I like the light saturation. Never thought to use a d-esser. That stabilizer sounds interesting. I have nine advanced. Don’t use ozone much anymore. It all seems heavy handed and too audible to me.

[@R0BL68]

Such a helpful video. Could you elaborate more on the use of the microphones? Were they both the same model ? When you use two, are there phasing issues I need to be aware of? Thanks again !

[@SuperLevelone]

Thanks

[@thomaspersson1533]

Am a bit confused. I happen to think that the acoustic guitar on Big Star’s first album is the goat. And those were heavily compressed using 1176🤔 At the same time i agree with you in this example,lol.

[@BobbyHuff]

Well every rule can be tried to be broken! 😄

[@JaviBello]

BOOOOOOOBBYYYYY!!!!!! How you doing man? I often use XY with small condensers for acoustic, and depending on the genre/room/player, maybe a 3rd track for a ribbon mono room mic or a DI. Then I send all together to an aux and do all processing there. Usually use an SSL channel with barely no compression, a little send to reverb/chorus and I'm good to go. Sometimes I use a pultec to shelf off the low end instead of the SSL channel's filter. What are your thoughs on using XY for acoustic? I point one mic to the hole but no straight to it, and listen at what distance I like most, often the second mic ends pointing to where the neck meets body. As always, great vid Bob! Thankyou!

[@BobbyHuff]

He Jaaaaaaav!!! Yes that's fantastic! XY mic technique is great for acoustics! Your ear will tell you every time!

[@JaviBello]

@@BobbyHuff sure!!

[@jimp.7286]

On a side note; many of the common problems we suffer with tracking acoustic guitars comes down to playing technique. Use thin picks with players that have right-hand control issues. Playing technique before plug-ins or hardware. Have them learn to avoid string squeaks and hitting the pick-guard or guitar body. Some players really get into it, lol. Have them think about how they're actually playing. They may not like it but it makes mixing a million times easier and they may improve their technique as a result. The ole saying; get it right going in first! Use a transient plugin as a brute-force way to soften things vs a de-esser, (or both),. Too much can make it sound thin and weird but maybe that's something you could use? The offending note or noise that still gets past the plug-in? Hit the split key and setup the daw to auto fade a tiny amount either side. Hopefully it won't be noticed with double tracking. Same with resonant plugins. "Resonate frequencies are actually a main part of what acoustic guitars are all about". These days, everyone wants resonance removed everywhere to the extreme. Overdo it on acoustic guitar and the soul of the instrument can suffer and leave you with a lifeless performance. No personality. My two cents for what it's worth. Cheers.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thank jim!

[@TimE_5150]

Great stuff as usual Bob, but I thought Les was Paul? :)

[@michaelneal900]

I love Seals and Croft.

[@BobbyHuff]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!

[@michaelcottle6270]

Cover of Willin' ? Love me some "Little Feat"

[@BobbyHuff]

YES!!

[@jonathancrowell4648]

What about for more folky/indie tracks that call for a little more forward/fuller acg sounds? I’m struggling with a nasty boominess that I cant get rid of without getting rid of note definition.

[@mikehouston6456]

Hey Doc. Mike here in Northern Ireland. Love the channel- I use 1176 on acoustics all the time as unlike the colour it brings- but I’d never use the 12:1 ratio you had selected- that sounds closer to limiting to me. Would you ever use the 1176 with a lighter ratio and just 2-3db attenuation?

[@mikehouston6456]

* as I LIKE the colour not unlike* apologies.

[@BobbyHuff]

Yes but I would still compress lightly!

[@aleksamrkela831]

Honest question: when do you prefer stereo-miking over double-tracking and vice versa? I find double-tracked acoustic guitars awesome for a dense arrangement with a lot of instruments.

[@BobbyHuff]

Yes I agree. Stereo mics for me are mostly for a very open song with sparse arrangement.

[@bevo65]

Les Moore approves of this video.

[@BillJones]

Is there any way at all to add the hair gel in post? Or do I need to bite the bullet and re-record everything?

[@BobbyHuff]

Hahaha!! We have done quite a bit in post to help with Jason’s looks….so yes…just search for some good gel plugins. 😄

[@officialWWM]

Wait, what mic did you use on Jason’s hair? 🤔

[@EdwinDekker71]

A telefunken U-47

[@officialWWM]

@@EdwinDekker71 funky!

[@BobbyHuff]

His hair brings its own mic…

[@officialWWM]

@@BobbyHuff 😂😂

[@ringi1970]

But what should you do, when the acoustic guitar sounds not so perfect in it´s natural tone? My epiphone acoustic (i.e.) sounds not a little bit as good like that what I´ve heard here, without any processing. Not even with good and new strings. That would be an interesting tutorial. How to make a "not so good acoustic guitar" - sound good. 😅

[@legalize.brokkoli]

Best solution might be buying a better sounding instrument.

[@mollygriswold7979]

Try a slower compressor like a Fairchild.

[@buddyalbert5808]

I always high pass my hair gel.

[@BobbyHuff]

Hahahhaha

[@TheMichaelseymour]

i dont use a compressor ......i use a depressor ....cos it makes me sad the way i play

[@BobbyHuff]

Hahahaha!!!!

[@benajaero]

interesting

[@davidkeller8084]

Willing, Little Feat

[@BILLY-px3hw]

using hair gel while tracking to tame the transients is cheating, like to see Jason have such an even performance without the gel

[@BobbyHuff]

He can't play without a freshly gelled doo!

[@suchitputhalat4796]

when is my next appointment ..haha

[@BobbyHuff]

anytime you want!

[@johncostigan6160]

Very delicate surgery Doctor. Sweet!

[@My2Drumsticks]

What ever became of stereo guitars?

[@BobbyHuff]

These are stereo..