Posted by JM Dapena - Autumn 2011

In 2005 I was experiment with different locations to start recording my classical guitar CDs.
During the journey through various churches in Galicia, in northern Spain, I found three types of reverbs that work very well with the guitar.

The diffuse early reflections add a nice presence to the guitar without overpowering the direct sound. The dry studio version needs artificial reverb to inject some life back into the tone but the source often still sounds colored.

Try to make an agreement with your local church or concert hall, experiment with positioning. It is worth the effort ..."

José Manuel Dapena.
Santiago de Compostela, December 2011.

Microphones: Neumann TLM 103
Focusrite Preamplifier
Apple Powerbook - M-Audio Audio Interface
Guitar by George Lowden
Strings by D ́Addario
Positions: Neumann microphones are 2 meters from the guitar turned right 1.10 meters.

For best sound, please use headphones or good monitors.

J.S.Bach (1685-1750)
Partita BWV 1013 - Allemande, phrase one.
bach-estudio-iglesias-hall.mp3
Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
Asturias Op. 47 No 5, one chord.
rasgueados-estudio-iglesias-hall.mp3

1	2	3	4 & 5	6	7

Click for larger image

1 - Studio recording - Dry (Mic 2m)
2 - Studio recording - Digital reverb (Mic 2m)
3 - Medium church - Folgoso (Mic 2m)
4 - Large church - Pardesoa (Mic 2m.)
5 - Large church - Pardesoa (Mic 1,5 m)
6 - Small church - Ventoxo  (Mic 2m)
7 - Bright Medium Concert Hall - Santiago CMUS  (Mic 2m)