How to 'warm up' an oud?

[David Topple]

I'm editing a track today that includes an Arabic instrument called an oud. Unfortunately it was DI'd. (No, I'm not sure how that happened either!) It sounds thin and quite harsh and it needs some 'warming up'. I wish a professional capacitor mic had been used on it as well, but it wasn't. I've done what I can with EQ, but that's only a partial solution.

I don't have a reel to reel tape machine or an old but 'warm' analogue desk. I also don't have any 'analogue tape' plug-ins or a 'vintage warmer' type plug-in (I have the standard 003 Factory set-up in fact). Re-amping isn't an option either (I'm in a 'home studio' which used to be a living room), and there's also nothing here with a valve in it. There's not even an external pre-amp I could try (I've only got my 003R+ inputs).

Can anyone suggest how I could easily and quickly get this instrument to sound better? Thanks!

[nedorama]

Try Sansamp or a similar guitar plugin, but no distortion. Instead, the filters will help roll off some of the harshness.

I would think EQ3 with some of the acoustic guitar presets may also be a good starting point.

[The Dougfather]

If you need to add some beef then the Sonnox Inflator is a good plug. Apparently is uses parallel compressions so you possibly look at this technique to help if the plugin wasn't an option.

The inflator also has a curve parameter which also helps the signal sway more towards bass or treble which would possibly help in reducing the harshness.

Good luck!