Micing Acoustic Guitars

[L-1011Alpha]

Greetings,

What's the best mode to record Acoustic Guitars, directly with the line / console way or in the booth in front of the mic ?

Thanks in advance.

[brandondrury]

Can you define "best"? Which one do you like better?

Brandon

[JusSumguy]

Can you define "best"? Which one do you like better?

Brandon

I usually take both feeds.

Get all you can, when your tracking.


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[sparqee]

It's a matter of taste but I've *never* heard an acoustic guitar pickup that I thought was worth recording. They have that kind of "quack" to the sound I just can't stand. <shiver>

My preference is a small diaphragm condenser mic pointed at the neck where it meets the body. If I want to capture a bit more of the resonance I'll use one of my large diaphragm condensers.

[brandondrury]

Get all you can, when your tracking.

To each his own. I come more from the school of thought of "only take what you can carry".

I never record DI unless I'm held at gunpoint by a band that insists on recording live with drums and acoustic guitar.

Brandon

[mrabassist]

I agree with Brandon, NEVER record through a DI. I'd venture to say even a 100 dollar microphone will sound more real then a 1000 dollar pickup in an acoustic guitar.

My current setup is usually a small condenser on the 12th fret pointed very slightly towards the body of the guitar, a large condenser on the edge of the body, and two room mics at various spots in the room for some bigger sounds.

[1985t]

Going DI with an acoustic has always sounded awful from my experience. Get yourself a sweet condenser mic and be blown away by how much better it sounds.

[soundcraftentertainment]

if your on a budget as most of us are. I am sure you have a sm57 laying around. Just point that thing at where the neck and body meet and see what kind of sound you end up with. Even the cheaper condenser mics will sound fine around this area. you might have to roll off a little of the bottom end if you do go the condenser route.
Let your ears be your guide.