Here are two very simple tracking tips that often get overlooked by drummers and guitarists when recording in the studio.

Acoustic Guitar Recording

When I record an acoustic guitar I aim to get the right guitar tone for the song in the recording stage. I simply do this by switching between a number of different plectrum gauges. I have learnt from years of experience that leaving the tonal decisions for acoustic guitars to the mix stage ends up not always producing the results I want. By experimenting with different gauges (thickness) of plectrums the guitar has the chance to change tonality without any pre or post EQ.

Paper thin plectrums are easy to strum with but these types of plectrums often yield thin tones with clicky sounding artefacts. On the other end of the scale thick plectrums are great for achieving round tones but can be heavy for strumming.

All the varied plectrum gauges between super thin and thick are the gauges guitarists should be experimenting with each time they record so that the right tone of an acoustic guitar can be achieved at source for the song.

I am surprised by the number of guitarists that do not experiment with a selection of plectrum gauges. Many guitarists stick with one thickness of plectrum as they believe that gauge is all the plectrum they will need. I personally find that mindset to be limiting. I believe that sticking with one plectrum gauge results in one overall tone for each performance and/or recording.

Drum Recording

Similar thing goes for drum recording. I have around 10 very different sets of sticks that are all different thicknesses, weights and materials. Each stick type sounds very different when striking a snare drum. I have seen drummers tune, re position microphones and even switch over snares before they have even swapped to a different type of stick.

The internet is filled with mixing tutorials that lead us to believe that drum dynamics are controlled in the mix stage, they are not.

You know the types of videos I am talking about here - "Get More Punch From Your Drums With These 3 EQ Moves." When I see these types of videos I often think to myself that the drums in the video could have easily had more "punch" if a different type of stick were used in the recording stage.

Conclusion

Picks and sticks are the quickest and cheapest way to adjust the tone of guitars and drums in Music Production. Try to experiment more with getting the tone right for the song at source and maybe you will be surprised at how little EQ you use later in the mix.