leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,538
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jul 3, 2013 20:36:03 GMT
a lovely set of tunes. ocarolan .. and a great review. Looks like Rory's on to a winner... and, for what it's worth, @martin, I'm with you on the buttons
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Post by jonnymosco on Jul 3, 2013 20:46:49 GMT
It sounds pretty impressive in your hands - looks the business too. Great review.
Jonny
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Post by marcus on Jul 4, 2013 1:26:42 GMT
Hi Keith, Thanks for taking the time to create such a comprehensive review... it's wonderful to have your in-depth written reviews alongside illustrative videos and sound clips. Fine effort.. Can I ask a slightly off-topic question? Is there any particular technique you use to get a good quality recording using a Zoom H2? I've got one and sometimes it sounds great and at others seems to get all boomy... maybe it's to do with where the mic is positioned? Thanks again, Cheers, marcus
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taranguitars
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Professional Luthier
Posts: 54
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Post by taranguitars on Jul 4, 2013 9:46:32 GMT
Hi All! Keith what can I say. A million thanks yous! When Keith got in touch, (which wasn't cheeky at all!) I thought that we might have a wee chat before the dread came home again. So this review with videos, wonderful playing and recordings is just amazing. Some interesting points, it was just an experimental model but I'll chance the tuners and put the magnet in for the truss cover. As I mentioned in the interview with Martin, I plan to make the next one in Mahogany/Adirondack, I’ll post soon. Anyway must get back to the booth, between coats you see, Keith thank you again. All the very best, Rory
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 4, 2013 23:10:11 GMT
Thanks chaps all for reading/listening/watching! earwighoney - yes, I think your remarks re sustain are about right. Martin - yes, I remember you mentioning buttons when you had the guitar - the gold ones you put on certainly match well aesthetically you're right. The size and shape look good too, so no blame attached - you were right to put them on - it's just that I find them less easy to use than bigger, flatter ones. marcus - I place my Zoom H2 on a level with, and pointing at, the neck/body join, and about one foot away. Slight rotation of the Zoom towards the soundhole gives a bassier result, rotating a little towards the headstock gives a treblier sound. I use the medium gain setting, and tweak the record level with the << and >> buttons. If, as is usual, I'm using the Zoom as a USB mic recording into Cakewalk, I don't worry about the hard-to-read meters on the Zoom registering a low sound level as long as the meters in Cakewalk are OK. This seems to work well for me as I never use any post-recording eq, compression or normalisation. I like a simple life! Hope that helps - get back to me if not! Rory - you're v welcome. It's a fine instrument with a distinctive voice - different from the Tirga Beag, and different from most usual dreadnoughts. Definitely a worthwhile addition to your range - should pull in a lot of interest from those who would not previously have considered a dreadnought, but should also attract existing dread users in search of a different voice to use. All the best for continuing model development and material experimentation. And thanks again for the chance to try the guitar. Keith
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Post by marcus on Jul 4, 2013 23:54:06 GMT
Hi Keith,
Thanks for the info on the H2. I think I've been placing it too close to the soundhole. Your explanation makes good sense. Just one quick clarification if I may.... I have the gain set on medium but often the volume is a bit low. Is that what the "record level" is used for; to increase the volume of your recording without getting clipping (which seems to happen if I set the gain level to high)?
Thanks again,
marcus
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 5, 2013 0:00:57 GMT
Hi marcus - yes indeed, tweak the "record level" (some numbers appear when you use the << and >> buttons)to decrease or increase the recorded volume - it gives quite a fine control over a large range. The slider L, M, H gain switch is a fairly blunt tool that just sets the broad range over which the finer controls of << and >> operate. Keith
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Post by marcus on Jul 5, 2013 1:26:43 GMT
Thanks Keith... I'll do some experimenting next time I get the urge to record something. Cheers, marcus
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,538
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Jul 5, 2013 6:36:37 GMT
Hi marcus - yes indeed, tweak the "record level" (some numbers appear when you use the << and >> buttons)to decrease or increase the recorded volume - it gives quite a fine control over a large range. The slider L, M, H gain switch is a fairly blunt tool that just sets the broad range over which the finer controls of << and >> operate. Keith and that's what worked for me when I was having trouble with the Zoom H2 .... I never even considered touching those pesky >> buttons
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 11, 2013 10:19:31 GMT
Hi marcus - yes indeed, tweak the "record level" (some numbers appear when you use the << and >> buttons)to decrease or increase the recorded volume - it gives quite a fine control over a large range. The slider L, M, H gain switch is a fairly blunt tool that just sets the broad range over which the finer controls of << and >> operate. Keith and that's what worked for me when I was having trouble with the Zoom H2 .... I never even considered touching those pesky >> buttons Marcus, for what it's worth I find that a common problem is people recording at too high a level The recording levels seem low but remember that an acoustic instrument has great attack and the transient peaks often don't show. Just don't always assume you have to start of automatically boosting everything!
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