If you’re a musician or sound engineer, you know that mic’ing an acoustic guitar can be a bit of a challenge. Whether you’re recording in a studio, playing live on stage, or performing in a small venue, getting the right sound can make all the difference.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the steps you need to take to mic an acoustic guitar for different situations, including recording, live performances, and on-stage performances. By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to mic an acoustic guitar and achieve the best possible sound.
Related: best guitar mics for recording and home recording setup for guitar. Our guide to setting up a home studio for guitar covers the basics in one place.
Not sure which mic type to use? Read our dynamic vs condenser mic guide.
How To Mic An Acoustic Guitar (5 Steps)
- Choose the right microphone
- Decide on microphone placement
- Adjust the distance
- Monitor your levels
- Play around with EQ
Here are some steps on how to mic an acoustic guitar:
- Choose the right microphone: Select a microphone that is designed for recording acoustic instruments, such as a small-diaphragm condenser mic or a dynamic mic. Make sure the microphone is high-quality and capable of capturing the nuances of an acoustic guitar’s sound.
- Decide on microphone placement: There are a few different microphone placement techniques that you can use to mic an acoustic guitar, each of which will produce a slightly different sound. Some common techniques include:
- Pointing the microphone directly at the soundhole
- Positioning the microphone above the fretboard, pointed towards the body of the guitar
- Using a stereo pair of microphones to capture the sound from different angles
Experiment with different microphone placements to find the one that works best for your recording.
- Adjust the distance: Once you’ve chosen your microphone and placement, adjust the distance between the mic and the guitar to achieve the desired sound. Generally, you’ll want the microphone to be around 6-12 inches away from the guitar.
- Monitor your levels: When recording, make sure to monitor your levels and adjust the gain accordingly. You don’t want the guitar to sound too quiet or too distorted.
- Play around with EQ: After recording, you can use EQ to further shape the sound of the guitar. Boosting the mid-range frequencies can help bring out the natural warmth of an acoustic guitar, while cutting the low-end frequencies can reduce muddiness.
By following these steps, you can effectively mic an acoustic guitar and capture its natural sound in your recordings.
How To Mic An Acoustic Guitar for Recording
- Choose a high-quality microphone designed for recording acoustic instruments.
- Experiment with microphone placement, such as pointing the microphone at the soundhole or positioning it above the fretboard.
- Adjust the distance between the microphone and the guitar.
- Monitor levels and adjust the gain accordingly.
- Use EQ to shape the sound of the guitar after recording.
Here are the steps to mic an acoustic guitar for recording:
- Choose a high-quality microphone that is designed for recording acoustic instruments, such as a small-diaphragm condenser mic or a dynamic mic.
- Experiment with different microphone placements to find the one that works best for your recording. Some common techniques include pointing the microphone directly at the soundhole, positioning the microphone above the fretboard, or using a stereo pair of microphones to capture the sound from different angles.
- Adjust the distance between the microphone and the guitar to achieve the desired sound. A good starting point is to keep the microphone around 6-12 inches away from the guitar.
- Monitor your levels and adjust the gain accordingly. Make sure the guitar doesn’t sound too quiet or too distorted.
- Use EQ to further shape the sound of the guitar after recording. Boosting the mid-range frequencies can help bring out the natural warmth of an acoustic guitar, while cutting the low-end frequencies can reduce muddiness.
By following these steps, you can effectively mic an acoustic guitar for recording and capture its natural sound.
How To Mic An Acoustic Guitar for Live Performance
- Choose a microphone designed for live sound.
- Position the microphone in front of the guitar’s soundhole or near the 12th fret of the guitar.
- If using multiple microphones, consider using a stereo pair.
- Adjust the volume in relation to other instruments.
- Monitor levels and adjust the gain accordingly.
- Use feedback reducers or notch filters to prevent feedback.
Here are the steps to mic an acoustic guitar for live performance:
- Choose a microphone that is designed for live sound, such as a dynamic mic or a small-diaphragm condenser mic.
- Position the microphone in front of the guitar’s soundhole or near the 12th fret of the guitar. This will help capture the natural sound of the guitar.
- If you’re using a single microphone, experiment with its placement to find the best position for your specific guitar and the performance space.
- If you’re using multiple microphones, consider using a stereo pair of mics to capture the sound from different angles. This will help create a more natural and spacious sound.
- Adjust the volume of the guitar in relation to the other instruments in the mix. This will help create a balanced sound.
- Monitor your levels and adjust the gain accordingly. Make sure the guitar doesn’t sound too quiet or too distorted.
By following these steps, you can effectively mic an acoustic guitar for live performance and ensure that it is heard clearly in the mix.
How To Mic An Acoustic Guitar On Stage
Here are the steps to mic an acoustic guitar on stage:
- Choose a microphone that is designed for live sound, such as a dynamic mic or a small-diaphragm condenser mic.
- If you’re using a single microphone, position it in front of the guitar’s soundhole or near the 12th fret of the guitar. This will help capture the natural sound of the guitar.
- If you’re using multiple microphones, consider using a stereo pair of mics to capture the sound from different angles. This will help create a more natural and spacious sound.
- Use a feedback reducer or notch filter to prevent feedback from occurring. This is especially important if you’re playing in a loud or acoustically challenging environment.
- Adjust the volume of the guitar in relation to the other instruments in the mix. This will help create a balanced sound.
- Monitor your levels and adjust the gain accordingly. Make sure the guitar doesn’t sound too quiet or too distorted.
By following these steps, you can effectively mic an acoustic guitar on stage and ensure that it is heard clearly in the mix without feedback issues.
How To Mic An Acoustic Guitar Amp
Here are the steps to mic an acoustic guitar amp:
- Choose a high-quality microphone that is designed for miking guitar amps. A dynamic microphone, such as a Shure SM57, is a good choice.
- Position the microphone in front of the amp’s speaker cone, around 1-2 inches away. You can experiment with the position to achieve the desired sound.
- Angle the microphone slightly towards the center of the speaker cone. This will help capture the full range of the guitar’s sound.
- Adjust the distance between the microphone and the amp to achieve the desired sound. Moving the microphone closer to the amp will result in a more aggressive sound, while moving it further away will result in a more ambient sound.
- Monitor your levels and adjust the gain accordingly. Make sure the guitar doesn’t sound too quiet or too distorted.
- Play around with EQ to further shape the sound of the amp. Boosting the mid-range frequencies can help bring out the natural warmth of the guitar, while cutting the high-end frequencies can reduce harshness.
By following these steps, you can effectively mic an acoustic guitar amp and capture its natural sound.
Best Microphones for Acoustic Guitar
Here are some of the best microphones for recording acoustic guitar:
- Neumann KM 184: This small-diaphragm condenser mic is a popular choice for recording acoustic guitar due to its clear and detailed sound.
- Shure SM81: This small-diaphragm condenser mic is versatile and can handle high sound pressure levels, making it a great choice for recording loud acoustic guitars.