The Acoustic Guitar in the Mix part 2
by Tony Koretz http://www.koretzmusic.com/tony.html
 

In a previous article on the Acoustic Guitar in the mix we looked at compression and equalization. In this one we will look at panning, volume and the use of effects.

Panning

The position in the stereo field for your acoustic guitar, should vary depending on the style of music, the number of instruments and the prominence you want it to have. In a heavily crowded mix you will probably want the guitar to occupy a narrow space, so that it can cut through without interfering with the other instruments or vocals. Perhaps pan it

Volume

We have already discussed volume a bit here, but I would just like to add   that the perceived volume will be shaped not only by the level of the fader,   but by the interaction of all these factors: equalization, compression,   panning and the level of effects such as reverb and delays, which is the   next thing I will touch on here. If you find you have to bring the fader   right up to get the guitar heard in the mix, try looking at these other factors   to see why that is. 

The Use of Effects

There are a number of different special effects that can be added to guitar sounds, but I will mainly just deal briefly here with reverbs, delays and chorus effects.

Reverb

Reverb would be the most commonly used effect. There are plenty of   different reverb types available that you can use on acoustic guitar. I   usually like to go for a combination of two reverbs, or a reverb and delay   combination. There are no hard and fast rules. Really it all depends on the   song in question as to how much reverb and what type of reverb to use.   Maybe start with a short-ish reverb with a bout 1. 2secs or so, with just a   little in the mix and then add a plate or large hall reverb with a time of   between 2.5 and 3 secs to thicken and smooth the sound up a bit. Don't   overdo the amount of reverb as the guitar will sound too far away and   indistinct. You can even try panning the reverb a bit away from the main   guitar sound if you want. 

Delay

A delay timed to the track can work really nicely, especially on a lead   acoustic part in combination with a good reverb. Timing the delay to the   track is important for it to sound smooth but unobtrusive. Avoid too much   delay feedback though and don't overdo the amount of the overall effect as  once again it will tend to make the guitar sound too far away in the mix. I   almost always pan my delays some distance away from the main guitar   sound, particularly if there is a heavy reverb, and this helps create a sense   of space without the wash that can occur otherwise. 

Chorus

The subtle use of chorusing effects can help make the guitar sound as if it’s doubled, or even kind of simulate a pseudo 12 string sound when applied to   a 6 string guitar. For a doubled chorusy sound, keep the speed fairly quick,   heaps of depth but little feedback. For a 12 string effect, slow the speed down a tad, use a bit less depth and a bit more pitch feedback. Once again   don't overdo the overall chorus effect if you want the guitar to still sound   natural. 

Well there you have it. A quick overview of the acoustic guitar in the mix.   Just remember when using effects don't overdo it. Use compression   judiciously, pan within a wide V rather than hard left or right, use EQ wisely   and begin asking questions if you have to push the fader up too far in order   to get a strong sound. copyright October 2004 - 2007. 

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