Topic: Miking a solo acoustic performance

[ts]

ssia. I only have 2 channels. One for vocals and one on guitar? A stereo config out in front? thanks!

[bombdiggity]

Splitting the sources implies you'd want to mix it in post, which sometimes seems more appealing than it turns out to be. 

For me it would depend on the venue and player and mics, none of which is clear here. 

Both options here might have potential. 

The third I'd mention is going stage lip stereo rather than trying to isolate the elements.  That is what I might do if it was a small listening room.  Not practical if you'd really need what is in a PA though.   

[ts]

Splitting the sources implies you'd want to mix it in post, which sometimes seems more appealing than it turns out to be. 

For me it would depend on the venue and player and mics, none of which is clear here. 

Both options here might have potential. 

The third I'd mention is going stage lip stereo rather than trying to isolate the elements.  That is what I might do if it was a small listening room.  Not practical if you'd really need what is in a PA though.

A small private event. Outdoors. Solo acoustic. No PA. Cards or omnis.

[bombdiggity]

If no PA and outdoors I'd just set a pair of cards up close, either where a mic would be or something a little more creative (I've run a split pair of cards from a few feet off on the corners pointed 45 degrees or sharper toward where the center is for something similar - but two vocals - and really liked it).  Some sort of split may work better since without a mic the subject may be more inclined to move around (mics tend to keep performers at a point).  If the musician will stay very close to a fixed position close cards or attempting to put a mic on voice and another on guitar may work but if they're moving you'd get better coverage/consistency with a spread arrangement.  I'd be leery of omnis in an uncontrolled outdoor environment but I don't use omnis anywhere. 

[Gutbucket]

ORTF a meter or so front of the performer should be a pretty safe bet.  Without knowing very much about the situation I'll suggest that.

All things equal and with freedom of setup, I often dig omnis over cardioids in outdoor environments.  Far less wind noise issues, usually more natrual sounding all around.  However, the audience's behavoir becomes more of an issue if the atmosphere is more cockail party rather than everyone paying attention to the performer.  To counter that somewhat you can place the omnis closer to the performer, which helps raise the performer's level compared to that of the audience, while not sacrificing the omni naturalness.  I wouldn't space them too widely if setup close to a solo performer, 18" apart is probably fine.

Actually if the audience is cool and other distractions minimal, I'd probably use whichever mic pair is better. Personally, I tend to be more critical of the sound of low cost cardioids more so than low cost omnis. ORTF is likely the better way to go if you have good quality cardioids.  If your omnis are better microphones, that could sway me that way. 

[vanark]

I'm with Gutbucket - ORTF cards ~3 ft from the performer.

Here is a recording I did doing just that  - outdoors, solo acoustic performer, very small private event.

https://archive.org/details/erniehalter2013-05-31.akg481.flac16

Source: AKG C480B/CK61 > Naiant Littlebox > Sony PCM-M10 (24/48)
Location: ~3 ft from seated performer, mics ORTF @ ~3 ft.

[runonce]

Add me to the mutual agreement!

ORTF @ 3ft

I guess be mindful of the height - figure if the performer will sit or stand - I'd position above the guitar soundhole - but below the singers mouth.