TONEDB

rhythm guitar from “hurt” by johnny cash | ToneDB

hurt

johnny cash

rhythm guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A stark and intimate acoustic guitar sound, capturing the raw emotion of the performance. The tone is clean and direct, with a touch of warmth and natural ambience.

Gear

Martin D-35instrument
Reverb$3195Sweetwater
Neumann U87microphone
ReverbSweetwater

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

The Story

Johnny Cash's acoustic guitar sound on 'Hurt' was recorded by Sylvia Massy and produced by Rick Rubin at Cash Cabin Studio, Cash's home studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The track featured a Martin D-35 acoustic guitar recorded through a Neumann U87 large-diaphragm condenser microphone. The recording approach emphasized an intimate, unprocessed sound that captured the raw emotion and detail of Cash's performance.

Production Credits

Producer: Rick Rubin

Engineer: Sylvia Massy

Recorded at: Cash Cabin Studio

Signal Chain

Instrument: Martin D-35

Microphone: Neumann U87

Recreation Tips

  • Use a high-quality acoustic guitar with a balanced tone.
  • Choose a large-diaphragm condenser microphone for capturing a detailed and natural sound.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures both warmth and clarity.
  • Focus on a clean recording environment with minimal background noise.
  • Avoid excessive processing to maintain the intimacy and authenticity of the sound.

Original Gear

  • Martin D-35(guitar)
  • Neumann U87(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Martin D-28$3,000-$3,500

Alternative to: Martin D-35 acoustic guitar

The D-28 offers the same classic Martin dreadnought voice as the D-35 but with East Indian rosewood back and sides, providing the rich, balanced tone needed for intimate recordings

ReverbSweetwater
Yamaha FG830$200-$250

Alternative to: Martin D-35 acoustic guitar

Budget-friendly dreadnought with solid spruce top that can deliver warm, balanced acoustic tone suitable for close-miked intimate recordings

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4050$650-$750

Alternative to: Neumann U87 condenser microphone

Multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser that captures detailed acoustic guitar with warmth and clarity, offering U87-style character at a lower price point

ReverbSweetwater
Rode NT1-A$200-$250

Alternative to: Neumann U87 condenser microphone

Budget large-diaphragm condenser with low noise floor and natural sound, excellent for capturing intimate acoustic guitar performances with detail and warmth

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!