Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig

Subject: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: GUEST,Mathew
Date: 09 Aug 18 - 03:35 PM

Hello everyone,

I have a gig next week at a small cafe.

Unfortunately my regular guitar is in the shop and the one I am currently using does not have a pickup.

So I'm forced to mic my guitar, which might be better for sound but more inconvenient.

I was wondering if anyone had tips for mic'ing the guitar, specifically how to reduce feedback and get the best sound.

Thanks as always!

Mathew

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 09 Aug 18 - 05:27 PM

Start with a directional mic (most are) pointed at the 14th fret from 6 to 12 inches away then play around with it to get the best sound.

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: GUEST,Guest Ted
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 04:21 AM

Maybe have your directional mic a few inches from the body of the guitar just below your right hand (assuming you're right handed), but away from the sound hole. I've found this gives a little more in the low mid range than around the 14th fret when using an SM57 mic.

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: GUEST,Rigby
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 05:07 AM

I usually prefer having the mic pointed at or just behind the bridge, but experiment in the sound check if you can. Pointing it at the neck/body join can sound rather thin.

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 05:42 AM

Johnny Coppin used to tape a mic to his acoustic and it sounded very good indeed!

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Nick
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 05:54 AM

I have a guitar without electrics and do use an across the soundhole pick up which sounds OKish (it's a Fishman thing). But it does have that "I'm not quite an acoustic sound" which probably bothers me more than it bothers people listening!

So I bought one of these which sound ok but have never tried it at high volume. There are examples online of ity being played in live set ups

irig

A couple of demonstrations of the sound and there are plenty of examples out there. Potentially stops you being stuck with keeping close to mic the whole time!

This one played with a keyboard and voice suggests it can play at a reasonable level - Live with keyboard

Sound example and Sound example and Sound example

I have no connection with them. Could probably try it in a shop. It can amplify an accordion - now there's a weird thought!

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 07:11 AM

Ask the shop if you can borrow, or cheaply hire, a guitar with a pickup while yours is in their tender care? (No, I'm not joking - it may be much simpler than trying to pick up guitar mic'ing techniques on the fly at short notice).

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 07:35 AM

Will you be putting the mic through an amp, or through a multi-channel PA/mixer?

If the latter, two mics spaced across the guitar might give more opportunities for an even sound - though, of course, requiring a little more experimentation. Do you have time to experiment in advance?

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: GUEST,Geordie boy
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 08:04 AM

SM57. No worries

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Nick
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 08:47 AM

Mark - that is a very simple and sensible answer

Or borrow one

My son had his high end guitars nicked (I only play cheap ones) and borrowed from a very kind and very good guitarist

Kindness of others

... will always be returned

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Nick
Date: 10 Aug 18 - 08:50 AM

I re-read

"Small cafe"

You'll be ok

I think the OP wants to play their guitar that they like

If you are anywhere near Yorkshire I can lend you something

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 11 Aug 18 - 02:53 AM

Nick mentions the iRig. The more expensive of the two, c/w belt clip controller is a wonderful thing. Especially the feedback buster. It costs around £60 online and to be honest, I use it with a guitar that has a perfectly good Fishman Sonitone pickup installed but the iRig has a more natural sound.

Mic for guitar can sound wonderful and I do for studio use. I run the sound desk for a concert venue and as we have a “proper” stage, mic can work. However, beware using one in a smaller setting as background noise and indeed feedback can be an issue. Many professionals on the circuit are using a single ribbon mic for guitar and voice nowadays, to wonderful effect. But these guys still know where such things should be used or not...

If you insist on mic use and you can’t guarantee the 48v phantom that condenser mics need, I suggest a Shure SM57 or equivalent. But such a purchase makes the iRig a no brainer both costwise and performance. It is, after all, a form of microphone.

Subject: RE: Tech: Tips for mic'ing Guitar at gig
From: Nick
Date: 12 Aug 18 - 06:37 AM

Somebloke - the only other person I have ever come across who has an irig or knows about them or commented about them.

I have never tried to use it at a gig - do they work ok at reasonable volume?

I might start a thread to see if anyone else has experience

I will probably try and use it at next gig and hope it doesn't freak the soundman. If not I'll use a direct box and the overhole pickup