Recording Live Instruments

Live instrument recording requires more preparation than vocal sessions — the placement of microphones relative to the instrument and the room can make a significant difference to the sound. At StudioToGo, we approach instrument recording by listening to the instrument unplugged or played acoustically first, understanding the natural character of the sound, and deciding on a mic placement that captures what makes it interesting rather than flattening it.

For acoustic instruments — guitar, strings, piano, brass, woodwinds — the Neumann U87 Ai is the primary capture microphone, positioned based on the instrument type and the tone being sought. For electric guitars and basses, we use both a close microphone on the amp and a DI signal from the Apollo Twin X, which gives the mixer maximum flexibility in post.

Acoustic vs DI Recording

Acoustic recording captures the full character of the instrument and the playing environment. DI recording captures the signal directly from the instrument with no room sound, which is cleaner but requires amplifier simulation in mixing. For most acoustic instruments, a combination of the two — where applicable — gives the best result. We decide on the approach together before the session starts.

Part of a larger production: Instrument recording often works best as part of a full production session. If you're building a complete track, see our full music production service which covers arrangement, production, and recording together.

What You Get

  • Recorded instrument takes — all passes as WAV files at 24-bit depth
  • DI and mic signal separately — where applicable, for mixing flexibility
  • Engineer guidance on mic placement — included as part of the session
  • Rough balance — so you can hear the instrument in context before leaving

Pricing

Instrument recording sessions use the standard hourly rate. Studio A starts at AED 350 for one hour, AED 990 for three hours. Setup time for complex multi-mic arrangements is included within the session. Full pricing at our homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions