by Stefan Wyeth | 4,7 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 6 Minutes
The Twelfth Fret: How To Record Acoustic Guitar

The Twelfth Fret: How To Record Acoustic Guitar  ·  Source: RODE

ADVERTISEMENT

In this article, we discuss how to record acoustic guitar as well as the microphones, techniques, and post-production processes involved.

ADVERTISEMENT

Recording acoustic guitar at home can be a tricky business. With so many factors to worry about, it’s hard to know how to get started. While there aren’t any absolutes when it comes to recording, there are certainly some useful guidelines and methods that can help you get a decent sound.

In an ideal world, you’d have a gifted guitarist playing an amazing song on a quality acoustic in a great-sounding room. However, what do you do when this is not the case and one or more of these key puzzle pieces aren’t in place?

How To Record Acoustic Guitar

One of the most famous examples of a make-shift acoustic guitar recording was that of Kurt Cobain‘s thrift shop 5-string on Something In The Way. When things weren’t working in the live room, Kurt insisted that the song should be quieter and more intimate.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

As he played the song through on the control room couch at Sound City, producer Butch Vig got the idea to grab a few mics and turn off the air-con. He then proceeded to build the song around this guitar and vocal performance that was neither in time nor in tune.

So what can we learn from this besides the fact that Butch Vig is a genius producer/engineer? For starters, capturing a performance is about serving the song, above all else. When dealing with tricky instruments like acoustic guitars, it often works better to structure your mix around it rather than forcing it into an existing arrangement.

That being said, the bright and jangly sound of acoustics was often used in the 1980s to make the chorus stand out. Bands like Erasure, Talk Talk, and Tears For Fears often used acoustic guitars as textural elements, as they cut through the mix so well.

ADVERTISEMENT

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

Start with a Sweet-sounding Guitar

Your skater-punky sticker-laden acoustic guitar from the ’90s might still have sentimental value. Although, it won’t sound good on a record without Butch Vig and Sound City‘s room acoustics and outboard gear.

How To Record Acoustic Guitar: Fender ESC110
Fender ESC110 · Source: Fender

You can find great-sounding acoustics by Takamine, Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, Ibanez, Gibson, and Fender. However, if you aren’t planning to outlay on a new acoustic, then at least treat your trusty acoustic to some new strings.

Once you’ve tuned up, seat yourself in a comfortable position facing the center of the room. Always start recording immediately, as you never know what magic could happen in the first few takes.

Affiliate Links
Fender ESC110 Educational 4/4 WN
Fender ESC110 Educational 4/4 WN
Customer rating:
(31)
Pyramid Nylon
Pyramid Nylon
Customer rating:
(1538)
Takamine GN51CE-NAT
Takamine GN51CE-NAT
Customer rating:
(9)
Daddario XTAPB1253 Light
Daddario XTAPB1253 Light
Customer rating:
(137)

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

Which Mic Should You Use?

As a general rule, mics that sound great on vocals will also work wonders when capturing acoustic guitar. Although, the room you choose to record in is a major consideration here.

  • Shure SM57
  • Shure SM 7B
  • Rode NT1-A Complete
  • AKG C214

If you’re recording in a problematic room, using a dynamic mic like the Shure SM57 or the SM7B is the best choice. However, keep in mind that you’ll need a dedicated mic preamp to capture really dynamic performances.

If you’re lucky enough to have a room without harsh reflectivity or background noise, a condenser mic is your best bet. Mics like the RODE NT1A or the AKG C214 are great choices for brilliantly detailed acoustic guitar recordings.

Affiliate Links
Shure SM57 LC
Shure SM57 LC
Customer rating:
(5257)
Shure SM 7 B
Shure SM 7 B
Customer rating:
(1789)
Rode NT1-A Complete Vocal Recording
Rode NT1-A Complete Vocal Recording
Customer rating:
(4702)
AKG C214
AKG C214
Customer rating:
(458)

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

Using Multiple Mics

In larger rooms with favourable acoustics, you can implement techniques with multiple mics. This is particularly effective when you are going for realism, natural reverb, and the acoustic guitar is the centerpiece of the track or even a solo instrument.

How To Record Acoustic Guitar: SE Electronics SE7
The SE Electronics SE7 is an affordable choice for stereo miking. · Source: sE Electronics

Spaced Cardioid, XY, AB, ORTF, and Mid-Side are all techniques that can achieve good results when capturing acoustic guitar. Remember, that stereo miking doesn’t guarantee a big stereo sound in the mix.

If you’re looking to create big stereo guitar chords, two separate mono guitar takes panned hard left and right will get you a bigger sound if you get the timing just right. The Haas effect you’re seeking happens when takes are between 30-40 milliseconds apart.

Affiliate Links
SE Electronics SE7 Stereo-Set
SE Electronics SE7 Stereo-Set
Customer rating:
(21)
Shure KSM 137 Stereoset
Shure KSM 137 Stereoset
Customer rating:
(6)
Neumann KM184 mt Stereo Set
Neumann KM184 mt Stereo Set
Customer rating:
(265)

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

Omnidirectional vs Cardioid?

When recording a performance in a particularly pleasing acoustic space with a large natural ambience, adding a pair of omnidirectional mics can really bring the recording to life.

How To Record Acoustic Guitar: RODE NT-55
RODE NT-55 · Source: RODE

A closer cardioid mic will accentuate the intricate picking and fretboard sounds. Meanwhile, when you add an omni pair to the mix, you’ll give the listener a vivid picture of what it’s like in the studio live room, hall, or auditorium you used for the recording.

Multi-pattern large-diaphragm condensers have an omni mode, while small-diaphragm sets like the RODE NT55 include a set of omni caps for added versatility.

Affiliate Links
Rode NT55 MP
Rode NT55 MP
Customer rating:
(40)
AKG P420
AKG P420
Customer rating:
(198)
AKG C414 XLII Stereo Set
AKG C414 XLII Stereo Set
Customer rating:
(39)

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

Production Tips

Acoustic guitar recordings can have an incredibly high dynamic range, as the soft and loud passages are often worlds apart in volume. So having a comfortable chair that doesn’t rock or creak when you shift your weight is ideal, and always be mindful of headphone spill.

Fabfilter Pro Q3
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 · Source: Fabfilter

Understanding where the instrument sits on the frequency spectrum is also an essential part of acoustic recording. Start by using the 100 Hz high-pass filter on the mics, then add EQ in the areas where necessary:

  • 150-300 Hz: This will add weight to the overall sound, especially the lower register. However, only boost this region if you can hear a marked improvement in the tone.
  • 300-600 Hz: Guitar too thin? Here is where you can give it more body.
  • 600-800 Hz: A slight boost here will help the guitar cut through dense mixes.
  • 1-3.5 kHz: This is where you can add detail and depth to intricate lead and finger-picking parts, but not rhythm parts.
  • 3.5-12 kHz: Possibly the most important range for getting that glistening sound. Try breaking this range into 3.5-5k, 5-8k, and 8-12k according to the style of song and mix.

Furthermore, using a good compressor while tracking will make the overall performance sound more cohesive and complete. You’ll want to use one that is fast enough to catch the transients, so be careful to match it to the style of the piece you’re recording.

Affiliate Links
FabFilter Pro-Q 3
FabFilter Pro-Q 3

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

More about How To Record Acoustic Guitar:

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The Twelfth Fret: How To Record Acoustic Guitar

How do you like this post?

Rating: Yours: | ø:
ADVERTISEMENT

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *