Chapman Stick And Mobius Megatar -- How To Record For Best Sound

Today we will talk about how the Stick and Megatar touchstyle guitars are played, since this has an effect on how to record the sound you want to capture. We will then think about your amp, your effects, and your sound chain, so as to best bring out the sound that you want to record. Then we'll consider how to choose the best mic for picking up the sound of the Chapman Stick or Mobius Megatar, and how to go about recording revealing the sound you want to express.

The Chapman Stick is the earlier developed instrument, and over the years it has grown gradually more popular, specifically for the reason that the touchstyle manner of making music for which it is planned is an extremely productive and fun way to generate music. The Megatar is a later-developed development, and has quite a few design improvements, which many guitar players feel betters the sound and playability. But both tapping guitars are very widespread, provide outstanding good sound, and are enjoyable to play.

The technique of play is essentially easy. The tapping guitars are constructed with an very low action, and no strumming or plucking is required. Rather, you can just touch the guitar string to a fret and that will initiate a note. Hold it there to keep the note playing, and let it go to end the note. Since of this method of activating the string, these touchstyle instruments produce a sound very similar to picking very close to the bridge on a normal guitar.

As a result the tones will have a larger quantity of high frequency content, even when playingeven whilst playing the bass strings (since these specialty tapping guitars have both bass and guitar-like strings).

These tapping guitars also have long scale lengths, more similar to bass than to standard guitar. This gives the best sound for both bass strings and guitar, compared to using a shorter neck for both bass and guitar.

The next thing governing the you will get is your amplification and effects sound chain.

Considering first the Chapman Stick, because of the inherent out of tune sound (to those with finely honed ears) of all fretted, stringed touchstyle instruments, and due to the varied range of sound (because of possessing both bass and guitar-like strings), the risk of sounding out of tune may be present to a greater degree than when playing normal guitar.

One developed resolution for this problem for all stringed, fretted touchstyle instruments is the patented intonation system developed by Buzz Feiten. However, the Chapman Stick does not offer this patented method as an alternative.

For that reason when assembling your amp and effects chain for the Chapman Stick you might desire to employ EQ and effects so as to decrease any perception of out of tune playing. As an example, blending in a small bit of chorus, distortion, or reverb with reflections. This can produce a extremely delightful sound.

The Megatar instruments though are all delivered with the Buzz Feiten Intonation System installed, and as a result need no special processing that way.

When using a microphone on any amplified guitar or bass, considerations of which is the best microphone to use and the best placement will arise. You might not obtain the top results using a dynamic mic such as the Shure SM57. You may have better results with a condenser microphone with a large diaphragm, and good bass response.

A reasonable starting place with microphone placement would be to set the microphone five to eight inches from your speaker, and after that as you play the Chapman Stick or Mobius Megatar instrument, merely test with variations of the best placement. Hopefully you can hone in on the very best placement to obtain that superb sound you fancy.

In conclusion, the three considerations when miking and recording Megatar or Stick two-handed touchstyle touchstyle instruments is to first keep in mind the manner of play (touchstyle), and realize there will be heard more of the highs than with ordinary electric guitars or basses. Secondly, ponder your sound chain and use your amp settings and effects as needed to get a pleasing in-tune sound. Third, research with diverse microphone designs and different positionings to find the best capture of the sound you see in your mind's eye.

By: Traktor Topaz

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

With these approaches you should now be competent to mic and record Megatar and Chapman Stick two-handed touchstyle instruments to get the best sound in your recordings. Visit the Mobius Megatar site for additional info regarding the Buzz Feiten Intonation System and the developmental history of the Chapman Stick.