one track at a time or two?

[dksucharda]

I currently have one mic as I am just getting started (SM 57). Much of what I have read says to record one track at a time so that the guitar track does not bleed onto the vocals and vice versa. This way each track can be adjusted independently. I understand the benefits to this but real life experiencing has shown this to be challenging to me. When I play the sing and play the guitar together I feel the guitar track and vocal tracks are better together. I sing better when I have a guitar behind me and I play better when there is vocals going on, plus it helps me keep my place. I am thinking of buying a condenser microphone so that I can record both at the same time. My question is, how wrong is this? I am trying to learn professional recording techniques and I am wondering if the pros always record each track independently or do they sometimes record both together. Thanks.

 

[Adrian-MarQ]

There is nothing wrong with what you mentioned here and both options are used. With 1 mic, you have to consider how you will get the best of all the things you are recording. This means mic placement techniques/experimenting with where a good location for the mic, instruments and yourself. With 2 mics you have more control over what your recording, but you also have to consider sounds bleeding into the other mic and potential phase related issues.

I personally like using more than one mic for recording different sounds simultaneously. The only extra work I have to do is find a good spot for 2 mics instead of 1.

 

[krushing]

Recording guitar & singing at the same time is a very common combo - yet it's pretty tricky to record in a way where you'll get both a good sound out of both "instruments" and a good separation between the two. Good article with some common practices and tips here: Recording A Singing Guitarist

 

[dksucharda]

Thanks Krushing. Great article. I was aware of some of the compromises and downsides of doing both at the same time but this article helped me minimize some of those downsides and for me i play better and sing better when I do them at the same time. Maybe someday I will be better at both independently but for now I am excited to try some new techniques. Thanks.