Gear Review: MXL Revelation Mini FET is a Solid Bargain Microphone for Acoustic Guitar
I auditioned a pair of Revelation Mini FETs by recording several different acoustic guitars using a spaced pair arrangement, and also with some basic vocal tests.
Doug Young
Doug Young is a fingerstyle instrumental guitarist, writer, and recording engineer. He is the author of Acoustic Guitar Amplification Essentials.
Gear Review: JBL’s IRX112BT Powered PA Offers Brawn and Flexibility in a Portable Package
When amplifying an acoustic guitar, there’s often a tradeoff between the portability of a small acoustic amp and the power and full-range sound of a heavier and more expensive PA system. JBL’s new IRX line of Bluetooth-enabled powered PA speakers…
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Review: iZotope RX 8 Audio Editor is Ideal for Home Recording in Less Than Perfect Environments
BY DOUG YOUNG Being able to record at home has great advantages for musicians, but getting professional results can be challenging. Noise is often one of the key differences between a homemade product and recordings made in professional studios. Whether…
Tracking and Editing Your Acoustic Guitar—Home Recording Part 3/3
When you are confident that you’re capturing a good sound, you’re ready to record. There are many ways to approach the actual recording, depending on the type of music. If you’re overdubbing or playing to a click track, you will…
Review: Radial’s HDI High Definition Studio DI Is a Unique Tone-Shaping Tool for Guitars
I found the HDI to have a robust sound and a very useful range of colors that should enhance any guitar pickup.
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How to Set Up Your Home Studio—Home Recording, Part 1/3
Not too long ago, you had to book time in a professional studio if you wanted to make a professional-sounding recording. But today, modest-priced gear is capable of producing recordings that are indistinguishable from their commercial big-budget equivalents. The biggest…
Review: Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Mic Modeling System Offers Versatility During and After Recording
In addition to modeling specific microphones, the L22 offers other benefits to acoustic guitarists
Review: Blue Ember Microphone Looks and Sounds Better Than Some More Expensive Competitors
The Ember targets those doing home recording, podcasting, or YouTube videos, and is a true XLR phantom-powered microphone
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Video Instruction Series: All About Mic Placement for Home Recording
There are many types of microphones, but the most popular type for recording acoustic guitar is the cardioid condenser mic. Inexpensive models such as the Audio-Technica AT2020 or AT2021 start at under $100. If your budget allows, consider popular models…
Home Recording for Acoustic Guitar: The Best Ways to Capture Your Music
Here are some tools and techniques for home recording to make your acoustic guitar sound great.
Review: Sunnaudio Stage DI Has an Intangible Vibe
Sunnaudio preamps should especially appeal to any guitarist who wants to put together a high-quality pickup system based around a passive transducer
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Review: Orange Acoustic Pre Preamp/DI Offers Great Tube Sound and More for Acoustic Guitarists
The Acoustic Pre delivers tone in spades without compromise
Review: L.R. Baggs Align Series Pedals Are Sonically Focused for Acoustic Guitar Pickups
All pedals in the series mesh well together; they can be used independently and also easily integrated with an existing setup.
Review: Audio Sprockets ToneDexter Preamp/DI Gives the Sound of a Mic with Convenience of a Pickup
The ToneDexter learns how your guitar sounds through both a microphone and a pickup, and uses this information to produce a snapshot of your tone.
Review: Fishman’s New SA Performance Audio System (SA330x, SA Sub, SA Expand) Adds Power and Flexibility
Fishman raises the bar and lowers the weight with this flexible component system
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Review: Boss Acoustic Singer Pro is Made For the Gigging Singer-Songwriter
This amp packs a lot of power into a small package.
Video Review: Trance Amulet M Phantom Pickup System Eliminates the Need for a Battery in Your Guitar
This pickup system has a built-in preamp that runs off phantom power, completely eliminating the need for an onboard battery
Everything You Need to Know About Microphone Phantom Power
Most of the time, phantom power just does its job silently, but a bit of knowledge can help when things go wrong or when choosing the gear with which you work.
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Gear Review: The Grace ALiX Preamp/EQ/DI Is a Robust, Stage-Ready Package
This device is rugged, relatively compact, and boasts high-quality audio.
Review: iSolo Guitar Pickup Combines Sound of a Real Mic with Wireless Mobility
This unit combines the sound quality of a real microphone with the total mobility of a wireless system.
Review: The Fishman Loudbox Artist is a Powerful, Portable, Flexible Acoustic Amp
This 25-pound amp delivers plenty of clean sound and volume, with a compelling array of features
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Review: TC Electronic’s BodyRez Pedal is an Acoustic Pickup Enhancer
This pedal allows you to restore much of what gets lost in the amplification process by twisting a single knob.
Review: Yamaha THR5A Amp is an Offstage Amp with Impressive Tone and Effects
With battery or external power options, powerful software effects, and a small footprint, this amp has a lot of potential for home practice sessions, in the studio, or even for a house concert or quiet gig.
Review: L.R. Baggs Anthem Combines Mic and Undersaddle Pickup with Internal Crossover
In this system, the microphone is the primary sound source for frequencies above 250 Hz while the Element undersaddle pickup handles the rest.
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Review: L.R. Baggs Venue DI Might Just Be the Only Thing You Need Between Your Guitar and the Sound System
The Venue combines a direct box (DI) with a powerful EQ, tuner, a volume-boost button, and a transformer–coupled output to eliminate ground loop buzz.
