In this series, we are going to look at how to record a wide range of sound sources from a solo vocal through guitars, bass, piano strings, brass woodwind and percussion, before moving onto the drum kit. In part 4 we are going to look at recording an acoustic guitar.

Throughout this series, we are using some excellent videos produced by Audio Technica and they naturally profile their own mics. But of course, you don’t have to use the specific Audio Technica mics they recommend. Take note of the type of microphone they recommend, like a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser or a hypercardioid dynamic microphone and chose one of that type that you prefer and/or own. What makes the biggest difference to the sound is where you place the microphone, not the particular brand and model of microphone.

Acoustic Guitar

In most forms of popular music, one of the fundamental components is the acoustic guitar. It’s a staple that can provide your track with richness and detail. With a few basic techniques, you can capture a broad range of sounds for any style when recording acoustic guitar.

String Theory

Make sure the guitar has new strings on it. Guitar strings are a sponge for grease and grime, they would be a CSI’s dream, very soon even a new set of strings can start to sound dead and lifeless. If you are making the effort of capturing tracks then spend $10 and put a set of new strings on your pride and joy. Depending on the time you last did it then it might sound like a new guitar.

Tuning, Tuning And Tuning

Tune the guitar and after you have tuned it then check it and tune it again. It’s amazing how many well-known tracks feature out of tune guitars, so invest a good chromatic tuner and keep checking the tuning before and after every take. Don’t trust your ears when it comes to tuning, the old 5th fret trick might be good for a bar gig but not for capturing a moment of guitar playing history (we hope!)

Mic Check

Your guitar may have a built-in pick-up, that might be great (possibly) for live work but not for the studio so get a good microphone to record your guitar. If you’re on a budget then choose a good all-rounder there are plenty of great microphones for those on a budget these days for around $150. These microphones have a multitude of uses from vocal through to instrument recording. If you have few bucks and have the budget for a dedicated mic then call up a good dealer and get some advice.

Use Your Ears

Not to strum with, that would be plain silly, but test the microphone position with the guitar. If you’re not in a large studio with separate rooms and recording at home then the best way to do this is to put the mic through your headphones and the move the guitar around whilst listening to the results. Moving the mic further away will give you a more natural room sound, close up will give you more attack and body. Move the guitar around and you will hear the sound change dramatically.

What Sound Do You Want

The acoustic guitar is a versatile instrument capable of a range of different sounds that can be used in the arrangement of a sound in different ways. The different styles of playing an acoustic guitar benefit from different mixing techniques.

1. Strummed Steel Strings - Using a small-diaphragm cardioid condenser is the ideal way to capture the attack and brilliance of strumming on this steel-string guitar. Aim the microphone at the 14th fret and angle it toward the body to capture a balance of brightness from the strings and body from the soundhole. Moving the mic towards the neck emphasise the brightness of the guitar sound. Moving it towards the soundhole will capture more body.

2. Fingerpicked Nylon Strings - For a more delicate fingerpicking part, try a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic to capture the fullness and warmth of a nylon string guitar. Again, aiming the mic for the region where the neck meets the guitar is the best starting point. Make sure the mic is close enough that you don’t capture too much ambience from the room, but not so close that the guitar sound booms.

3. Using Two Microphones - With two mics, you can actively control the balance between brightness and a full low end. Use a small-diaphragm cardioid condenser on the neck to capture brightness from the strings. On the body, try a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser mic to round out the bottom end. Keep the microphones roughly the same distance from the instrument to avoid phase problems. Adjust the levels to create the perfect balance for the part, player and instrument.

4. X-Y Pair - Try a pair of small-diaphragm cardioid condenser mics in roughly the same spot as the single mic would go. The idea here isn’t necessarily a wide stereo image, but a very natural sound that provides control over the balance between string brightness and body.

Just moving the microphone around is a great free way to transform the sound of an acoustic guitar.

Below are a number of recordings all made in the same space with the same guitar, a Taylor 414CE recorded with an AKG414 through a UA4710D and with a Maag EQ2.

As you will hear, the sound changes a lot depending on where the microphone is, those who do this all the time will already know the huge difference mic placement makes, if you are new to recording then spend time trying different mic positions when recording anything.

Relax

Relax and play! Studios have the effect of turning even some great players into a wreck. The best thing to do is to relax, play, do several takes and then have a listen back to see what’s working. If you have someone who is going to pieces then tell them you just want them to play along whilst you do some adjustments, but record it - I’ve got some great performances this way.

The acoustic guitar is one of my favourite instruments, try these tips and you should get some great results.