Having finished the main part of the song, we started to look at adding in extra instruments to the mix. Firstly, we recorded a lead guitar part (Intro riff and solo) in the live room. For this we used a Shure SM57 in front of a VOX Valvetronix combo amplifier as well as an AKG C414 set to an omnidirectional polar pattern as a room microphone. The blend of the two inputs offered a clear and punchy sound from the SM57 as well as an added natural room reverberation from the C414 to the room mic.
We also recorded a harp part in the dead room to be used for the instrumental chorus. To record the harp we used an AKG C414 set to a cardioid polar pattern placed 15cm away from the strings in upper third of the harp (the area in which the notes would be played). The harp it’s self had a small piezo pickup mounted in the soundbox, this allowed us to take a DI signal straight from the harp to the desk. The microphone signal offered a more whole sound with more low end and the DI signal added a clarity to the notes as they were plucked.
Finally we recorded a piano part, which was recorded using the DI Out on the piano straight into the desk. This made recording the piano part very easy as we just had the single signal into the desk. The piano had changeable voices so we decided to use the ‘strings’ voice and record a string part to add to the track.
Microphone List and Channel Guide
Ch. 1 – Electric Guitar: Shure SM57 (Close miking guitar amp)
Ch. 2 – Electric Guitar: AKG C414 (Used as a room mic)
Ch. 10 – Piano: DI Out
Ch. 13 – Harp: AKG C414 (Positioned infront of the strings)
Ch. 14 – Harp: DI signal from the piezo pickup into the DI rack
