Recording acoustic guitar, with vocals, in probably the most common home recording experience for the singer-song writer.

This tutorial discusses how to record the acoustic guitar. Getting this one right is about as difficult as it gets for any instrument.

We happen to use Pro Tools as the recording software. But you'll be able to do everything we cover in your chosen recording software at home. It's a matter of applying the same principles, whether in Pro Tools or other recording software.

Choosing Your Microphones
Before starting to record you must choose the mic you want to use. But you might use one of two different techniques for acoustic guitar. Which you decide to use will affect your choice of microphone…

1. single microphone technique (also referred to as "mono")
2. dual microphone technique (stereo)

It's your choice, depending on your preference and the resources you have to hand.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to recording than you may have first thought.

For top quality recording of acoustic instruments, use a condenser microphone rather than a dynamic microphone.

Why a condenser mic?

It's very simple - condenser mics have:

• much superior high frequency reproduction and
• much superior transient response
• you need both for acoustic instruments

Dynamic microphones, like the SM57 , are great for electric guitar amplifiers which don't need as much detail.

So which models should you consider?

We'll pick on that question next time…then consider microphone placement.

Tags: How to Record, Guitar Mics, Music Recording