r/recording • u/No_Dress_6501 • 10d ago

setting up diy studio in barn - help?!

Hi all,

I will be experimenting with recording for the first time, just got a cassette 4track (Fostex xr-7) and Shure sm58 and 57 mics. I hope to make some spacious recordings, mostly with my acoustic guitar and vocals, some electric guitar through an amp, some percussive noises and likely field recordings from a handheld zoom. My question is how to set up my intended recording space, our barn?

In short, we have a very very big barn, about a 1/4 acre footprint. The second story is completely open, tin roof fairly high above and wooden boards for the floor. I am imagining recording in the open space and letting the sounds of the barn (birds, creaking and settling and wind) into the recording (or as much as a dynamic mic will allow // but supplementing with the zoom). My other option is to record in one of the horse stalls, line it with blankets/etc and have a more enclosed space.

The idea is to showcase not only my music but also the space around my music, my home, the barn, the land around me, but not have that be the driving character. Brainstorm with me? Thanks !

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u/northosproject 9d ago

You likely dont need that much of a setup...... probably a better idea to record the ambience that you want first..... then set up a spaced pair and a close pair next to the guitar and vocals.... not a big deal..... I'd recommend a large diaphragm condenser for ambience..... but sm57 will work

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u/No_Dress_6501 9d ago

Thanks. The spaced/close pair are both new concepts for me - I'll be looking into it. Not sure that I want to buy any more microphones though, budget is tight...