Can you mic an acoustic?

Subject: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Muskratpete
Date: 04 May 07 - 11:46 AM

Hello 'Catters! I'm a virgin when it comes to performing. We do have a local pub that has an open mic night and I am hoping to muster the courage to get up on stage soon. However, I only have an old acoustic Ovation Balladeer. It has no electrical pickup on it. Would it sound ok to have the MC set up a mic/stand on the guitar as well as one for the vocals? Or should I just "give it up" until I can get an electric/acoustic?

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: GUEST,Johnmc
Date: 04 May 07 - 11:53 AM

I have been successfully mic'd in the same situation. In fact, I prefer it.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 04 May 07 - 11:57 AM

Yes, IMHO it would be OK - lots of performers (including me sometimes) work that way. The drawback is that you must remain very 'static' whilst performing so that the guitar sound doesn't drift away. I've know a lot of people who are static when they're performing! :-)

As withg all these things, you're very much in the sound-guy's hands with regard to what kind of sound you get, but that also applies if you have a pickup/transducer fitted.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 04 May 07 - 12:03 PM

I was doing an 'open mic' session at a local pub every Wednesday and the first time I was there I plugged my 1964 Gibson in - it was OK but a bit too bassy. For my second spot I simply used two mics and everyone agreed it was a much richer, more even sound, so I didn't bother to plug it in again. You do have to keep still, though. I like sitting on a tall stool which I think helps!

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Darowyn
Date: 04 May 07 - 12:06 PM

Hi Pete,
Some good news. Your Ovation is a guitar that can sound very good mic'd up. Some guitars like mics and some don't. Yours does.
While you are standing there, being static, the guitar should be about six inches from the mic, with the mic level with the twelfth fret, pointing slightly towards where you are picking the strings.
That always gives a good sound on most acoustics.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 04 May 07 - 12:20 PM

Hi Pete,

Many years ago I had one of the original Ovation Custom Balladeers & as it was acoustic only, had to mic it up. I was always congratulated by other performers on the sound it produced (not my playing) so I would say go ahead & show 'em what a guitar should sound like!

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Tootler
Date: 04 May 07 - 02:16 PM

You could, of course, go the other way and not use the PA at all. If the room is a smallish one, as pub rooms often are, it should be possible to project your voice sufficiently to be heard by all in the room.

IMO, that would sound much better than using the PA, though I admit it does depend on the acoustics of the venue.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: open mike
Date: 04 May 07 - 02:48 PM

if the sound engineer knows their stuff, it can sound very good. You,
however can be at their mercy at times. Another solution is to have
a sound hole mic or internal pickup which is fairly easy to aquire and install. then you will need a D.I. box when you play. I use a mini-
flex , which is actually a small microphone mounted on a goose-neck
device inside the guitar, so it only picks up the sound of the music,
not external distracting sounds such as pick and string noise. see:
musician's friend and look for guitar accessories-pick up-acoustic GHS A137 301012

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 May 07 - 04:11 PM

I completely gave up on pick-ups several years ago. Got really tired of sound men destroying the whole performance. I also freed up 2 or three channels on my MP8 by doing so and put away a whole mess of wires & a pedal. Add to this, no more messing around with EQ.
Now my only problem is figuring out whether the instruments are reaching the back of the room since what goes into the microphone is exactly what comes out of the speakers.
You can get a decent "Shure" for around $150. Cheaper still on the Internet.
Mind you, I do think about an internal mike, once in a while but one for each instrument?! Naw!

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 May 07 - 04:17 PM

open mike: I just had a look at that. Care to rate it for me? Also, looks like I would just remove the old receptacle an pop this in. Yes/no?

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 04 May 07 - 04:30 PM

I almost never use the pick-up in my guitar (an early Fishman) mainly because I like the sound of an acoustic guitar and the closest amplified thing to that is a good mic. I use a Beta57 or whatever the house provides. The first time I saw Doc Watson he was playing into a mic and I fell in love with his sound. A few years later I saw him playing through a pick-up and it sounded like he was playing an electric guitar. Unless you have a REALLY good sound man, piezo pick-ups can sound really "quacky". I think people have come to accept this acoustic/electric sound, maybe thanks to the Unplugged shows.
I often switch between guitar, banjo maand other instruments and the mic works just fine.

That said, I play with other acoustic instruments. If I were playing with drums and electric instruments, I might just go the Acoustic/electric route.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 04 May 07 - 07:10 PM

Pretty much what Darowyn said. Technically, aim the mic at the treble-side upper bout of the guitar. Don't make the mistake of aiming it directly at the sound-hole - that can tend to give rather 'boomy' sound.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 May 07 - 07:14 PM

the simple answer is - yes, if the audience is quiet. In fact that's how most acoustic guitarists prefer to record their guitar.

If they're noisy you stand a better chance of cutting through with guitar fitted with a transducer and a pre-amp.the ones with pre-amps need a battery.

If they're horrendously noisy get a modelling guitar - its not reaslly acoustic - but it sounds a bit like an acoustic and it nails the noisy sods in their seats. Turn the volume up to eleven -it won't distort.

this is called tapping into folk knowledge.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: open mike
Date: 04 May 07 - 07:42 PM

i have used the mini flex for many years
and have several instruments outfitted with them./
the only draw back is that they are actual microphones
not pick ups or piezo/transducer types it can produce
feedback if you are in the position for the sound to
create a loop betwwen you, monitors, speakers, etc.

It has been great using this type of device, and
allows freedom of movement as well as ability to
fine tune the sound. i believe the end pin has to be
drilled a tiny amount to allow for the 1/4" plug to be
inserted. the new models that they are putting out
have user-controlled volume control right at your
finger tips. it requires a AA battery. These used to be
made locally and were invented by a friend of mine
who sold the business to GHS strings. they may have a
different name now...

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 May 07 - 08:44 PM

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=301012 and
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/GHS-Original-Acoustic-Soundhole-Mic?sku=301011

With the first one ... any reason why I can't run that straight to the board.
Also, there are dampers available if you can find one to fit your sound hole. This will prevent feedback but make your guitar look really, really stupid!

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: 282RA
Date: 04 May 07 - 09:04 PM

It depends on the mic used wand its placement. Ideally you would want to use a condenser placed about a foot away and pointing between the hole and the bridge. Condensers require phantom power though and most open mic venues don't use them.

So you'll likely have to play through a dynamic mic which is bassy and less responsive. But most people won't notice.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 May 07 - 09:12 PM

Well now: I have a condenser and it works great. What I was referring to was the GHS A137 301012 which, if'n you follow the first link above, you'll find.
"Condensers require phantom power though and most open mic venues don't use them." Fair point. However many of them come with a battery & you can buy your own phantom power unit staring at around $50.
Small condenser mikes with phantom power & battery option would be around $150. I like them.

Subject: RE: Can you mic an acoustic?
From: GUEST,282RA
Date: 05 May 07 - 02:26 AM

I know, I use them. Mine are direct injection/phantom power boxes. They work quite well.