Instrument Recording Techniques

This section describes where to place microphones for various instruments.

For more about dynamic microphones and condenser microphones, refer to “Microphone Type” on p. 19 of this guide.

Vocals

Aim from

Aim from

the front

slightly below

Pop Guard

Ideally, you should choose a place, such as a studio, where noise isn’t introduced from the surroundings. If recording in a room, try to choose a room that doesn’t have environmental noise (automobile noise or city noises) and that has the sound reflection that you want.

Although the basic position for the microphone is directly in front, it is OK to aim it from slightly above or slightly below. This is because sound comes not only from the mouth but also from the head. Although you can use a dynamic microphone, we recommend using a condenser microphone to get a cleaner recording. If some breathing noise is recorded, try using a window screen or pop guard. You can also try changing the direction or angle of the microphone.

Situation Practical 1 Use Technique

Acoustic Guitar

First, the microphone is basically aimed directly at the Sound Hole

front of the sound hole. However, you can also adjust the distance and angle to the sound hole to find a

sound that you like. When placing the microphone at an angle, we recommended doing so from the fret side. This gives you a cleaner recording.

Although you can use a dynamic microphone, we recommend using a condenser microphone to get a cleaner recording.

Aim from the front

Set at an angle from the fret side

2

Electric Guitar or Bass

Applied Technique 3

Move apart a little bit

Guitar Amp/ Bass Amp

Capture the sound as heard in the room

Point-blank

Place slightly off-center

from the speaker

 

Record the sound

of the guitar or bass directly

When playing through a guitar amp or bass amp at a studio, it is important to use the actual volume and settings used for performances. Place the microphone a little off-center from the speakers and aim it from point- blank range. Be sure to use a dynamic microphone that can withstand vibrations. If you want the recording to give the feel of playing in a room, use two microphones at distances to record in stereo. However, be careful because if you set the microphones too far, there is too much reflected sound and the sound contours become blurred.

If you are recording in a room, you can also using line recording by connecting an effecter with an amp modeling feature or an amp to the R-44 by cable. This is because units that have amp modeling are designed to produce realistic sound even with a line connection.

Appendix

Synthesizer or Organ

You can record electronic instruments like synthesizers, organs, samplers, or rhythm machines by connecting the instrument’s line output jack directly to the R-44 combo input jack. Some digital synthesizers have effecter or mastering features, so the line recordings can faithfully reproduce the created sounds.

You can record instruments played through an amplifier by considering the distance to the amp, just as with the electric guitar.

Standard

Standard

phone plug

phone plug

STEREO

 

COMBO

LINE

INPUT Jack

OUT Jack

6

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Edirol R-44 manual Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar or Bass, Synthesizer or Organ, Applied Technique