How to Record Acoustic Guitar
To record acoustic guitar, point one condenser mic at the 12th fret from 10 to 12 inches away, and keep it off the sound hole. For stereo, use an XY pair at 90 degrees or a spaced pair set three times as far apart as they are from the guitar. All three placements follow Lewitt's acoustic guitar recording guide.
Three mic positions
Pick by how many matching mics you own and how wide the guitar should sit.
| Setup | Mics | Placement | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12th fret | 1 | 10 to 12 in out, aimed at the 12th fret or neck joint | Strummed parts in a full mix |
| XY | 2 matched | Capsules touching at 90 degrees, 10 to 12 in from the neck joint; one aims at the bridge, one up the neck near the 7th fret | Solo guitar that must stay mono safe |
| Spaced pair | 2 | Each 10 to 12 in out, one on the fretboard, one on the bridge, spaced about 3 times that distance | Widest stereo image |
XY works in mono because both capsules sit at the same point. DPA's stereo techniques guide says a spaced pair "is generally not suitable for mono" because summing it can cause comb filtering. Space the two mics three times as far apart as they are from the guitar, per the 3:1 rule.
Before you hit record
Move the mic an inch at a time while listening on closed-back headphones. Shure notes that directional mics gain bass up close (proximity effect), and moving back a few inches tames it.
Set the preamp so the hardest strums peak around minus 12 dBFS, the headroom Focusrite recommends. The full method is in gain staging. Model picks are in the best microphone for acoustic guitar, and the rest of the session in how to record music at home.
Related questions
Where do you put the mic when recording acoustic guitar?
Start 10 to 12 inches from the guitar, aimed at the 12th fret or where the neck meets the body. Keep it off the sound hole, which gives a boomy, bass-heavy tone.
Should acoustic guitar be recorded in mono or stereo?
Mono with one mic is the safest for a full band mix. Record stereo with an XY pair when the guitar carries the song, since XY still sums to mono cleanly.
What mic is best for recording acoustic guitar?
Lewitt credits a small diaphragm condenser with fast transients and an accurate tone, while a large diaphragm condenser sounds fuller and warmer. Model picks are in the acoustic guitar mic roundup.
More answers: Home recording FAQ