Production and Recording

So I've been having a difficult time getting one of my songs to sound "professional". I think it sounds good, but it doesn't sound as "open" and doesn't have the same depth the commercial reference music

I know a large part of it is that I have a very small space. This song has two acoustic guitars and a vocal recorded through mics in my room. Drums were recorded by a professional drummer.

I can hear the resonances in my recorded tracks. I can hear that they muddy up the mix. Frequencies doubling up, canceling each other out and also phase issues caused by close reflective surfaces in the room. This is with close miking.

I've been experimenting with omni and figure 8 distant miking. For that you really do need a good room though.

I wish I had a room with higher ceilings and a little larger. I've thought about bringing a mic to work and recording something there. I may do that, but I hate having to set up things temporarily and then tearing it all down when I'm done. If I had a lot of disposable income, I might rent a space.

I could book studio time at a real studio - but then I'd feel intimidated and I'd feel pressure to get done quickly.

I've always wanted to try one of those mics. Michael Jackson used that one for his vocals on Thriller

Wow that makes me want to really try one!

How much are they going for?

Just a fun video.

Motivating, isn't it?

well I just ordered a Shure SM81 to try on the acoustic.

I'm really having a BITCH of a time with this ONE song.

I might need to take it to work to record in a bigger space. I'm getting some weird resonance on some notes and it's driving me nuts.

The problem I'm really having is basically just a song. Because I have to play the guitar very softly with dynamics. And I have a very low ceiling. So I'm getting reflections off of the ceiling. It's not that I'm getting room noise. I'm really not getting room noise My room is treated pretty well.

So the sm-81 is one of the go-to microphones for recording acoustics. My 414 is really good for acoustics too but I need a small diameter condenser for this song.

I also want to possibly get some of the room sound. So for that I might move to the shop for these two guitars.

Incidentally, I've gotten desk reflections too doing vocals so I move away from my desk.

Close micing can get rid of almost anything in the room. But reflections right into the mic again are kind of tough in a small area.

I really love your setup. And I have been looking at those mics for at least a couple of years. And I'm talking about the SM7.

And you look good, Sluggo! You keep in good shape don't you?

I'm glad. You look good and you look happy. I'm hoping that you have time to do things that you like to do. I know how hard you used to work. Just running yourself into the ground.

You're a good person and a good friend. I'm super glad and I feel blessed to know you.

Just got the microphone! I'm going to make dinner and then try this out later.

what are you talking about? What is the issue?

For one thing, you probably need to let it sit for a day and let your ears rest. Listen again with fresh ears.

Not knowing what the specific issue you're having, I can tell you some things that get me.

Listening too loudly while mixing - you should be able to have a conversation without raising your voice

Mixing for too long of a period on one song - you loose all reference after awhile

What is the issue though?