One of the struggles songwriters have when it comes to recording their music is capturing the sound. We all know the excitement we feel when a new idea presents itself and the record button is pressed. And it’s a horrible feeling and a painful lesson learned if the playback audio quality is not up to scratch. There’s a certain magic that happens which sometimes can’t be captured again.
It helps to know even the basic proper recording techniques, especially in today’s climate where many singers, songwriters and musicians are left on their own to record. You don’t want all of your brilliance to only exist in a voice memo on your phone. Exactly how do you record an acoustic guitar? Are there different ways to record an acoustic guitar? Does mic placement make a difference? What about going direct into a mixing desk?
Dynamic Microphone Vs Condenser Microphone
A condenser microphone is usually the best choice for recording an acoustic guitar. Especially when you want to capture a very clean, transparent sound. It also works well when you want to pick up the nuances in great detail. A dynamic mic, on the other hand, is better for recording louder sounds like drums and loud guitars. But sometimes, a condenser microphone is not the most appropriate choice especially if you’re recording very dynamic and aggressive acoustic guitar rhythm parts. The above image shows an acoustic guitar miked with a Shure SM57 which is a dynamic microphone.
A good microphone is the key to an awesome sounding acoustic guitar recording, but they can be expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of great mics for you to choose from at your local music store or through online retailers. Dynamic microphones like the Shure SM57 work well in almost any setting and can be used with both vocals and instruments. They’re sensitive enough to pick up soft sounds, which is why they’re so popular for live performances and also audio recording.
The below image shows an acoustic guitar miked with an AKG which is a condenser microphone.
Where to Place the Microphone?
You're probably wondering: what is the best mic placement for acoustic guitar? The simple answer is: experiment! There are lots of different ways to capture a guitar and all the methods have their benefits and drawbacks. The acoustic guitar is a versatile and complex instrument and it’s important to get the sound right.
If you look at the two images above, you'll notice a couple of things they have in common, even though they are using very different microphones.
Firstly, the microphones are pointed towards the neck of the acoustic guitar instead of the strings. Secondly, the microphones are roughly placed 6 – 12 inches away from point where fret 12 to 14 are on a standard acoustic guitar. Often this is the most natural and balanced sounding area to place your microphone. Experiment with different distances and angles until you find the sweet spot for your own acoustic guitar and what works best for your needs.
The Spaced Pairs Technique
One common mic-placement technique for recording acoustic guitars is known as "spaced pairs." This means that one mic is aimed at the neck/body joint, and the other around the bridge. Again, experiment with both exact placement and distance to find the sweet spot for your acoustic guitar. When using the "spaced pairs" technique, phasing will be more of an issue. To avoid phasing issues the distance between each microphone should be at least three times the distance the microphone is to the guitar. (see image below)
Direct into a Mixing Console
Recording into a mixing console using a D.I input is great for laying down tracks quickly and is often where a lot of songwriters will start when writing and recording a song. However, as you’ll only be recording the sound of the acoustic guitar from it's internal pickups, it can make the recording feel flat and lifeless. Try a hybrid technique for recording the acoustic guitar by using a DI input and a microphone, then adjust the balance to taste.
5 Top Tips for Great Acoustic Guitar Recordings
Use good quality microphones
Find the right recording environment
Every guitar has it's own sweet spot
Use new strings when recording
Try double-tracking with different microphones
Acoustic guitar is one of those instruments that you can’t help but be inspired by. I hope that these tips on recording the acoustic guitar will help you to record an acoustic guitar track more easily and in the way that you want. If you have any questions or thoughts about anything I’ve mentioned, feel free to leave a comment below, or email me and let me know!
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