How to Mic Six-Strings Like a Pro

Three stereo miking secrets guaranteed to make your acoustic guitar tracks shine

by Michael Cooper
July 7, 2000

Ask five engineers how they approach recording acoustic guitar, and you may very well get five different answers, if you get any at all, that is. While many factors influence an engineer's choice of recording techniques -- the character of the instrument, the style of music, the player's personal tonal and dynamic signature, and the recording environment -- some engineers prefer to keep their approaches a trade secret. But despite all the possible permutations of instrument, style, player, room, and ego, for most seasoned engineers the real secret to recording an acoustic guitar is stereo miking -- plain and simple.

Sure, if it's just "spaciousness" you're after, you could record an acoustic guitar in mono and fold in some enthusiastic stereo processing. Or if you're hankering for a dramatically textured sound, you could try combining a microphone with an acoustic guitar pickup. If depth and accuracy are what matter most, however, you'll find that stereo recording with two microphones is an exceptionally reliable way to record full-bodied, realistic-sounding acoustic guitar tracks.

Let's take a look at three of the most popular techniques, and also examine the questions of microphone choice and mono-compatibility. As you'll find, stereo recording can be a complex art, since the interaction between the two mics will determine many aspects of the sound -- including tone, image, and mono-compatibility. But like any art, you'll also find that practice makes perfect. So whip out those mics, pull out that guitar, and give these tips a try: You'll hear the difference.

Next Page: Three Surefire Techniques....

Michael Cooper is the owner of Michael Cooper Recording, located outside the resort town of Sisters at the base of the Oregon Cascades. He is a Contributing Editor for Mix, and writes frequently for several other pro audio magazines, including Keyboard and Electronic Musician.