🔧 Fixing DI acoustic guitars in a mix

He didn’t mix the live show.
He didn’t hit the record button.

But Mix Protégé member Paul Tucci knew something magical happened the night Langhorne Slim played Red Rocks.

The band was on fire.
The crowd was electric.
And Paul eventually got access to the multitracks from that magical night.

So he opened the session and started mixing.

And like many live recordings…

one thing jumped out immediately.

🎸 The DI Acoustic Guitar Problem

The track opens with a solo acoustic guitar.

And unfortunately… it’s a DI.

If you’ve mixed live shows, you know the dilemma:

DI acoustics can feel

• harsh
• plasticky
• disconnected from the room

Yet something interesting happens in Paul’s mix.

As soon as the vocal and band enter, the DI problem almost disappears.

Which highlights an important mixing truth.

🪄 Mixing Is Sometimes Sleight-of-Hand

When a DI acoustic is unavoidable, I’ll shape it as best I can (EQ, modeling, etc.), then lean on stage or audience mics to add natural ambience during sparse moments.

Once the band enters, those mics often get automated down so the mix doesn’t get washy.

At that point the acoustic might still be a little “DI-ish”…

…but the arrangement is doing the heavy lifting.

Sometimes Reader, mixing really is a magic trick. You’re subtly telling the listener,

🔧 Bonus: DI Acoustic Fixers

The thread also sparked discussion about plugins that reconstruct acoustic body resonance from DI signals.

A few mentioned:

• UAD Sound Machine WoodWorks
• SSL Acoustifier
• Waves Maserati ACG

I tested the UAD plugin on Paul’s track and shared a video demo inside the forum — pretty cool results!

💬 Join the Conversation

Paul has been sharing mix revisions in the thread — including the version he sent to the artist’s management.

If you’ve ever fought the DI acoustic guitar battle, this one’s worth hearing.

👉 Hear Paul’s Red Rocks mix → and add your ears to the thread

​https://mixprotege.com/forums/discussion/live-recording-from-red-rocks​

(Free Mix Protégé account required to view — takes about 30 seconds.)

This is the kind of thing I love seeing in the community: producers sharing work, getting feedback, and leveling up together.

🎚️ Faders forever,

Dana

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