Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
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Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
When I record vocals n play my electric guitar (DI), I pick up a lot of the pick attack and it ruins the take.
I have the mic setup in my closet, with the back of the capsule pointing at a rack of clothes. I stand at the threshold, so I can lean my head in.
Is there any kind of trick to isolating the vocals, or will I just have to sing em solo?
Thanks.
I have the mic setup in my closet, with the back of the capsule pointing at a rack of clothes. I stand at the threshold, so I can lean my head in.
Is there any kind of trick to isolating the vocals, or will I just have to sing em solo?
Thanks.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
you could try a super-cardioid mic, or maybe better yet a Fig8 for vocals, where you have the null pointing at the guitar. you may have to experiment with it. or try one of those isolation panels between the guitar/vocal mic. But if the mic is capturing reflections (of walls, closet door, etc), then you have to stop that too.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
What mic are you using? Something like a 441 or SM7 probably wouldn't pick up as much picking.Mustang Martigan wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:04 amWhen I record vocals n play my electric guitar (DI), I pick up a lot of the pick attack and it ruins the take.
I have the mic setup in my closet, with the back of the capsule pointing at a rack of clothes. I stand at the threshold, so I can lean my head in.
Is there any kind of trick to isolating the vocals, or will I just have to sing em solo?
Thanks.
Can you hear it in the mix, or just when the vocal is solo'd?
Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
I was going to say this. The SM7B has been great in this setting for me. Any decent super-cardioid mic will help, especially if you're close to it.Recycled_Brains wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:24 amSM7 probably wouldn't pick up as much picking.
Can you hear it in the mix, or just when the vocal is solo'd?
Like Recycled Brains asked, is it ruining the take when you listen to everything together, or just soloed?
I often find that I LIKE getting the added attack of hearing a mic'd electric guitar. So much so that I do it on purpose sometimes.
Is it possible to just redo the vocal track once you have the guitar down? Is it imperative to have both done in one live take?
Roger
Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
I know a guy who mics the elec guitar acoustically just to get the pick attack.
Of course it's a consideration if it interferes with vocal comp/editing ...
Of course it's a consideration if it interferes with vocal comp/editing ...
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
A few things to try:
-Dynamic mic super close to your face
-Narrow-pattern mic with the null pointed at the guitar
-Use a transient shaper plugin to reduce pick attack
-Place some mass between your head and the guitar, like a piece of wood.
If all else fails, use RX!
-Dynamic mic super close to your face
-Narrow-pattern mic with the null pointed at the guitar
-Use a transient shaper plugin to reduce pick attack
-Place some mass between your head and the guitar, like a piece of wood.
If all else fails, use RX!
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
Sometimes Figure 8 can work even better than a hypercardiod pattern.
Aim the null directly at the guitar.
I forget to try this usually but I did it yesterday to great result.
Aim the null directly at the guitar.
I forget to try this usually but I did it yesterday to great result.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
MCA SP1.Recycled_Brains wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:24 am
What mic are you using? Something like a 441 or SM7 probably wouldn't pick up as much picking.
Can you hear it in the mix, or just when the vocal is solo'd?
Yes, it's in the mix and LOUD. I can here the entire riff as well, but it's the annoying, sometimes ear piercing, sound of the pick attack that kills me.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
I do like what it adds, for certain songs.
When I do decide to use it, I want it on it's own track, probably with the drum/percussion reverb. I also want to try recording it with an acoustic...to see which sounds better, if not both blended.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
Any suggestion on how to prop up the barrier?Magnetic Services wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:38 am
-Place some mass between your head and the guitar, like a piece of wood.
If all else fails, use RX!
I've tried RX (I only have Elements tho). I use Click, and start with the Random Clicking preset.
I first turn sensitivity up to around 8. If it's really bad, I'll make two instances, one all the way LF, and the other all HF.
It definitely helps, but doesn't fix the problem.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
The MCA SP1 is cardioid, but as with many LDC mics, it picks up everything! As mentioned, an SM7B (or many Broadcast mics) would be much more directionally focused. Even an SM58 would probably pickup a lot less of the pick sound, but depends on the sound you are going for. Or try a mic that has a Fig-8 capability.
Many of the mic isolation products just mount off a mic stand. there are many brands out there (Auralex, sE, etc.) . I have one from Primacoustic. Even Monoprice makes one (or more).
Many of the mic isolation products just mount off a mic stand. there are many brands out there (Auralex, sE, etc.) . I have one from Primacoustic. Even Monoprice makes one (or more).
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
Try doing spectral edits right on the spectrogram (in standalone mode or via RX Connect). You should be able to see exactly where the picking sound is, select that range throughout the entire track, and use simple gain reduction to minimize the picking. There's also a "Repair Assistant" which might help you out.Mustang Martigan wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:05 pmAny suggestion on how to prop up the barrier?Magnetic Services wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:38 am
-Place some mass between your head and the guitar, like a piece of wood.
If all else fails, use RX!
I've tried RX (I only have Elements tho). I use Click, and start with the Random Clicking preset.
I first turn sensitivity up to around 8. If it's really bad, I'll make two instances, one all the way LF, and the other all HF.
It definitely helps, but doesn't fix the problem.
Minimizing the picking noise during recording is still a better option, though. It sounds silly, but you could try kneeling at a desk or table so the wood forms a barrier between your guitar and mic, or rig up a piece of wood at standing height with clamps.
You could also try recording the picking noise with a dedicated mic and reversing the polarity so that it cancels out the noise in your vocal mic.
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Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
Figure 8 with the null pointed at the guitar. There's a reason that a two figure 8 set-up is the go to for singer songwriter gigs. It's the best isolation you can get.
Re: Isolating Vocals when Recording with DI Electric Guitar
Besides above, do you have another guitar with dead strings or that you could string with flats?
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