What to get

[Elixir1253]

Interesting question, Rachael, @Libitina ,
Up front, I declare personal interest in Faith guitars, owning an (OM) Earth which consists a Fishman Flex Blend pick-up/ pre-amp system (a bridge plate mounted body pickup & condenser mic). As an aside, I was quite shocked at price increases since 2020 !

Mics “better” than plug-in ? Imo, it’s “horses for courses”, and entirely dependent upon what you hope to achieve in terms of output. There are so many variables: performance space, signal chain, guitar, mic(s), pickups, instrumental play and/or singing too, … the list goes on.
Cost is also a factor given one can spend many (many) more “bucks” on a mic set-up than the acoustic guitar. Many pro singer/song-writers use both condenser mic and body pick-up mixed together when performing live.
Pickup devices all have their own fan-club, although most devices these days are fairly effective and generally compliment the guitar to which they are fitted. Obviously retro-fitting is yet another “rabbit hole”.
You touched upon guitar size: I have found there’s no substitute to trying out many options. From experience I do not pay much attention to actual spec measurements, and the best advice I have been given on this is to take along your current guitar and use it as a baseline as you try out different makes and styles.
A parting thought on acoustic guitars: perhaps consider a 12-fret as a potential option. The shorter neck can change the whole dynamic in terms of comfort and playing posture.
I hope this is of some help.

[Jamolay]

@Elixir1253

A parting thought on acoustic guitars: perhaps consider a 12-fret as a potential option. The shorter neck can change the whole dynamic in terms of comfort and playing posture.
I hope this is of some help.

I have a 12 fret short scale (24.75”) guitar and absolutely love it. Easier on the fingers, full even sound, plenty of depth even as a 00 scale guitar. My left shoulder is a mess, so with a semi Classical position and the short neck and small guitar, I am super comfortable.

[sticktothemuse]

Tom, I figured out how to record two tracks on my iPad last night. It’s pretty cool! I raised my music stand and set it up on that. I hung the cover over the back of the stand and the magnet on my iPad cover grabbed the back of the stand to hold it secure. I like the set up.

I didn’t realize how heavy my breathing was when I played, the mic picked up my breathing. Told me I need to relax and play . Already a positive of self critique.

I had questions about how to improve the recordings so I’m going to go to the Apple Store and pick up an external microphone and get a quick tutorial from one of their specialists.

So far so good! It just took me a while to get started.

One thing that really helped was hitting the help button on the top right corner of the app. It highlights all the applications on the screen you are using with detailed explanation of each function. This made it easier. It’s very helpful!

[Jozsef]

I’ve got a Shure PGA81 cardioid condenser instrument microphone for recording acoustic guitar and I’m quite satisfied with it. I’d suggest you get a good mic stand as well, like the König & Meyer 25900-300-55.

If you want to record everything yourself, I don’t think a multi-input soundcard is essential since you can record only one thing at one time alone.

[Tbushell]

@sticktothemuse

I hung the cover over the back of the stand and the magnet on my iPad cover grabbed the back of the stand to hold it secure. I like the set up.

That’s a good solution! I don’t have a magnetic cover, and my cheap music stand is wobbly,…so putting my iPad on it seemed quite perilous the couple of times I tried it.

@sticktothemuse

didn’t realize how heavy my breathing was when I played, the mic picked up my breathing. Told me I need to relax and play . Already a positive of self critique.

Yup, you often make unexpected discoveries, and sometimes the things you are worried about actually sound fine. Where the mic points makes a big difference. Lowering the stand so it points more at your guitar and less at your mouth might help.

@sticktothemuse

I’m going to go to the Apple Store and pick up an external microphone and get a quick tutorial from one of their specialists

I’ll be very interested to hear how the external mic sounds…hope you give us an update.

These days, my process is to position my iPhone on the tripod at sitting soundhole height - pointing directly at the soundhole.

Positioned in front of me, between me and my monitor speakers so I can play along to backing tracks from my iPad, which I plug into the monitors. I use a cable, but this should work with Bluetooth speakers as well…no latency issues with this setup, because the phone is recording everything at once.

I do a couple of short test recordings and tweak the monitor volumes to get a good balance between the guitar and the BT.

I usually just use the VoiceMemo app for audio only. Do a few takes, and let iCloud automatically copy it to my iPad - which happens almost instantly.

Then, listen back on the iPad, through the monitors. For the best takes, maybe do some light editing in VoiceMemo, give them a name, and delete the rest.

I can set this up in a minute or two, which makes it more likely that I will actually do it. Kind of like leaving your guitar out on it’s stand makes you more likely to pick it up and play.

[sticktothemuse]

Tom, all great advice, thanks!

Secrets of the obvious: A couple of months ago I raised the music stand to eye level because I was starting to have lower back issues and this forced me to look up and not at the frets and down at the music sheet. It also forced me to feel the frets and not search for them.

Anyway, you are spot on! I had the IPad at face level and was breathing on it . I now have a different set up so it’s at sound hole level and it works great! Thanks

[Libitina]

lol, not intentional, but I looked and read about all their guitars. For certain reason I excluded certain lines for my preference.

Naked line, not a lot of point IMO to this line
Natural, I prefer laquer
HiGloss is now only a 3 piece back
Mars and Saturn are all dreadnaughts
Neptune’s bout is bigger than my AJ
Nexus Venus is also a 3 piece back.

leaving anything in the Venus range. Elipse, Blue moon and Classic burst and Blood moon.
Of these I like the look of of Blood moon over all of them.

@Jamolay

What is the size of the AJ?

I believe it’s 16 bout, No tape on hand but I pretty sure I’m correct there.

Not that any of this is urgent as I said, none of this will happen before mid June, I’ll make up my mind by then.

Rachel.

[sticktothemuse]

Tom, just a quick update on GB. I ordered a microphone but haven’t received it yet. I’ll post an update after it arrives. That’s not what I am writing about.

I discovered another unexpected surprise and delight by using the GB app to record myself.

Rythym and timing: As a beginner I struggle with rythym and timing. I never know what tempo to go by. I rush through the parts I am comfortable with and then come to screaching halt when the difficult part arrives. Tommy Emanuel says his number one recomendation is to use a metronome so I am trying.

Garage Band Setting: In GB you are asked to insert the number of measures, tempo and time signature. By updating the number of measures and time signature I have been able to find my appropriate tempo for the song.

It takes knowing how to read some basic sheet music which I said I would not do when I started this journey 7 months ago but now I see the value.

By putting in the number of measures I know if I finish too soon or need more time I have to adjust the tempo up or down. Wow! What a surprise and delight. This is a major breakthrough for me. Now as I work my way through the song and get a steady rythym I increase the tempo gradually.

To me this is a very valuable practice assist.

[Elixir1253]

@sticktothemuse , I am nearly 3yrs ‘old’ soon, since first picking up an acoustic guitar. I have tried and still cannot work with a metronome to any great effect; basically I find it’s a bit of a “bully”.
However, Tommy E, is spot on with his view, Roch; as are many experienced players.
I sourced a “pre-loved” Singular Sound BeatBuddy tail end of '22; and it is by far the single best “accessory” I have bought: there’s plenty info and demos on YouTube (other make/ models are available). There are also loadz of drum backing tracks available on YT at different bpm.
Being an “old school” PC guy, I am not familiar with GB. However many DAW have “drum synth” plug-ins: I know Reaper does. However I have not worked out how to utilise much with my DAW, as yet , having my work cut-out learning to play …

[sticktothemuse]

1253, thanks for the input, much appreciated.

I am an old dog and bought a mechanical metronome that I hand crank. If for nothing else it runs for about 40 minutes so I use it to time my practice session:).

I struggle to connect the dots between the metronome and my playing but I will keep it going hoping someday it will click.

Btw- Tommie E said he played guitar for 20 years before he started using the metronome. By then he was probably the best player on the planet but he wanted to improve. That’s why he’s the best!! That’s why I want to figure out how to use it.

[Tbushell]

@sticktothemuse

By putting in the number of measures I know if I finish too soon or need more time I have to adjust the tempo up or down. Wow! What a surprise and delight. This is a major breakthrough for me.

That’s a new angle for me…glad it’s working for you.

Are you aware that GarageBand has a built in metronome? There is also an option to play a four beat count-in before recording starts.

I find the beep beep or click click of the metronome kind of boring, and prefer to play along with a drum beat. GB has lots - maybe too many for a beginner. But you could record a drum track in GB first, and then play along with that.

Justin has an exercise for metronome called “disappearing click”…have you tried that?

[sticktothemuse]

Tom,
I was aware of the built in metronome and I usually have it turned on when I use GB. I also use the settings to adjust the time signature to fit the song.

Agree the click click of the metronome is boring so I will take your suggestion and try to record a drum beat instead. I will also check out Justin’s excercise called disappearing click.

Good stuff! Thanks for the info.

Received my iRig Mic Cast 2. It’s an inexpensive ($59) mic but iso far seems to work well enough to get me started.

I do notice the recordings are much clearer. It also gives me more options as to where to position the mic without having to move the entire I pad. There is an about 8" extension which plugs into the head set outlet on the I pad.

Attached is a photo.