A Guide to Recording Acoustic Guitar in Stereo Mic Setup

Recording an acoustic guitar in a stereo mic setup can add depth and realism to your recordings, capturing the instrument’s natural sound and creating an immersive listening experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to achieve excellent stereo recordings of acoustic guitar. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or a beginner, this article will provide you with valuable insights. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Step 1: Selecting the Right Microphones

To capture the nuances of an acoustic guitar, it’s crucial to choose the right microphones. Opt for two high-quality condenser microphones for a stereo recording. Check out my choices in the article 7 Proven Winners: Discovering the Best Mic for Acoustic Guitar. Small-diaphragm condensers, also known as pencil microphones, are often preferred due to their accuracy and transient response.

Step 2: Positioning the Microphones

The positioning of your microphones greatly influences the final sound. There are two popular stereo configurations to consider: XY and spaced pair.

Coincident XY Configuration

In this setup, two microphones are positioned close together with their diaphragms coinciding or overlapping each other. The most common angle used is 90 degrees between the two microphones. This configuration offers precise stereo imaging and good mono compatibility. The XY configuration is often achieved using cardioid microphones. They have a narrower pickup pattern that helps reduce phase issues. This setup provides a focused stereo image with a well-defined center.

Spaced Pair Configuration

In a spaced pair setup, two microphones are positioned apart from each other, typically a few feet apart, facing the acoustic guitar. This configuration provides a wider stereo image and captures more of the room ambiance. The microphones used in a spaced pair setup are often omnidirectional or cardioid microphones. Omnidirectional microphones capture a more balanced sound from all directions. Cardioid microphones offer more directionality and can help reduce unwanted room reflections. The spacing between the microphones can vary depending on the desired stereo width and room characteristics. A good starting point is to position the microphones at a distance equal to the width of the guitar. Then, you make adjustments based on your preferences.

Coincident XY Configuration | Source: dpamicrophones.com

Spaced Pair Configuration | Source: dpamicrophones.com

Step 3: Adjusting Microphone Placement

Mic placement plays a critical role in capturing the sound of an acoustic guitar. The right placement can emphasize certain tonal qualities, balance the instrument’s various elements, and capture the desired stereo image. Finding the right microphone placement is crucial for capturing the desired tone and balance.

Soundhole Placement

Placing the microphone near the soundhole of the guitar captures the instrument’s low-end resonance and warmth. This position emphasizes the body’s natural sound but can result in excessive boominess and proximity effects. It is often best to combine this position with another microphone for a more balanced tone.

Fingerboard/12th Fret Placement

Positioning the microphone near the fingerboard or around the 12th fret captures a brighter and more detailed sound. This placement emphasizes the attack and articulation of the strings. It is ideal for capturing fingerpicking or intricate playing styles.

Bridge Placement

Placing the microphone near the bridge captures a balanced representation of the guitar’s overall sound. It captures a mix of body resonance and string articulation, offering a pleasing blend of warmth and clarity. This position works well for strumming and provides a good starting point for general acoustic guitar recordings.

Overhead Placement

Positioning a microphone above the guitar, pointed down towards the soundhole, captures a more ambient and spacious sound. This technique is particularly useful for capturing the guitar’s natural room sound. It can create a sense of depth and space in the recording. It is often used in conjunction with other close-mic techniques for added depth and realism.

condenser microphone feature image — 12th Fret Placement

Step 4: Set the Microphone Distance

Mic distance is an important factor in capturing the desired sound of an acoustic guitar. Remember, the guidelines below serve as a starting point, and the actual mic distance should be adjusted based on the specific guitar, playing style, room acoustics, and desired sonic outcome. Trust your ears and make incremental adjustments until you achieve the desired tonal balance, clarity, and room ambiance for your acoustic guitar recording.

Close Mic Placement

Placing the microphone closer to the guitar, around 6-12 inches away, emphasizes detail, clarity, and the nuances of the instrument. This proximity captures the guitar’s transient response, subtle finger movements, and intricate playing techniques. It is suitable for capturing the finer details in solo performances or when you want a more intimate and focused sound.

Far Mic Placement

Positioning the microphone farther away from the guitar, around 1-3 feet or more, captures more of the guitar’s natural ambiance and room sound. This placement allows the sound to blend with the room’s characteristics, providing a more spacious and open sound. It works well when you want to capture the guitar in a larger acoustic space. Or when you want to create a more atmospheric recording.

Balance and Blend

Finding the right balance between close and far mic placements is crucial to achieving a well-rounded and balanced sound. Combining close and distant microphones can give you more control over the tonal balance and room ambiance in the final mix. Experiment with different distances and listen attentively to achieve the desired blend of direct sound and room reverberation.

Dynamic Playing Considerations

If the guitarist’s playing style involves dynamic variations, such as soft fingerpicking followed by strumming, it’s important to consider mic distance accordingly. Placing the microphone closer to capture the soft passages can bring out the subtle details. Adjusting the distance slightly farther away during louder sections helps prevent clipping and maintain a balanced recording.

Step 5: Adjust the Microphone Height

Placing the microphones closer to the soundhole emphasizes the low end and resonance. Raising them towards the neck captures more brightness and attack from the strings. Experiment with microphone height to achieve the desired tonal balance.

Mic height, or the vertical positioning of the microphone about the acoustic guitar, is another important factor in capturing the desired sound. The height of the microphones relative to the guitar affects the balance between different frequencies. Check out the following guidelines for some tips.

Soundhole Height

Placing the microphone closer to the soundhole captures more of the guitar’s low-end resonance and warmth. However, this position can result in excessive boominess and proximity effects. To counterbalance this, try positioning the microphone slightly above the soundhole to capture a more balanced representation of the instrument’s sound.

Fingerboard/12th Fret Height

Raising the microphone towards the fingerboard or around the 12th fret captures a brighter and more detailed sound. This position emphasizes the attack and articulation of the strings, making it suitable for capturing fingerpicking or intricate playing styles. Experiment with height to find the right balance between brightness and warmth.

Bridge Height

Placing the microphone slightly above the bridge captures a balanced representation of the guitar’s overall sound. It captures a mix of body resonance and string articulation, offering a pleasing blend of warmth and clarity. This height is often a good starting point for general acoustic guitar recordings, particularly for strumming and capturing a natural tone.

Multi-Mic Considerations

If you are using multiple microphones in a stereo setup or using additional microphones to capture different aspects of the guitar, such as one for the body and one for the neck, the height of each microphone should be adjusted accordingly. Aim for consistency in height and positioning between the microphones to ensure a coherent and balanced sound.

Player’s Style and Comfort

Consider the player’s comfort and playing style when setting the microphone height. Ensure that the microphone is positioned in a way that does not interfere with the guitarist’s hands or impede their performance. This may require some communication and adjustment with the musician to find a height that works best for both capturing the sound and facilitating their playing technique.

Step 6: Connect the Microphones

Plug the microphones into the microphone preamps or audio interface using XLR cables. If your microphones require phantom power, make sure to activate them. Ensure that the cables are properly connected and secured to avoid any accidental disconnections during recording. You cannot move on to the next step without the microphones connected.

Step 7: Check the Phase Alignment

Checking phase alignment between microphones is essential to ensure a coherent and balanced sound when using multiple microphones, especially in stereo configurations. Here’s a general method to check the phase alignment between microphones:

Select a reference microphone: Choose one microphone as the reference microphone. This will be the microphone against which you’ll compare the phase alignment of other microphones.
Set up the reference signal: Generate a test signal or play back a mono audio source that contains a steady, sustained sound. This can be a simple sine wave or a sustained chord played on the acoustic guitar.
Solo the reference microphone: Solo the reference microphone in your recording software or on your mixing console, so you can hear it.
Bring in the other microphones one by one: Gradually bring in the audio signal from the other microphones, soloing them individually and listening to their combined sound with the reference microphone.
Listen for comb filtering or cancellation: As you bring in each microphone, listen for any noticeable comb filtering or cancellation effects. These are caused by phase cancellation between the microphones, resulting in a thin, hollow, or distant sound.
Make adjustments if needed: If you notice any phase cancellation, try adjusting the phase switch (if available) on the microphone or the phase inversion switch on your audio interface or mixer for the affected microphone. Listen to the sound after making the adjustment and determine if it improves the phase alignment.
Compare in mono and stereo: It’s crucial to also check the phase alignment in both mono and stereo playback systems. Sometimes, phase issues might not be as noticeable in stereo but can become apparent when the mix is collapsed to mono. Make sure the microphones are still in phase when listening to the combined signal in both mono and stereo.

Don’t Skip this Step!

Remember, phase alignment is critical when using multiple microphones to capture the same sound source. It ensures that the combined sound is solid, focused, and retains the fullness of the instrument. Trust your ears and make adjustments as needed to achieve the best phase alignment between microphones.

Before recording, adjust the input gain on your audio interface or preamp. Aim for a strong and clean signal without clipping. Monitor the levels on your recording software or audio interface meters to ensure you’re within the optimal range.

Step 9: Consider Room Acoustics

The acoustic characteristics of the recording environment impact the final sound. Ideally, choose a room with minimal reflections and a balanced frequency response. If necessary, apply acoustic treatment or use a portable reflection filter to reduce unwanted room ambiance and ensure a clean recording.

Step 10: Test and Fine-Tune

Perform a test recording and listen back to evaluate the sound. Pay attention to the stereo imaging, tonal balance, and overall clarity. Make adjustments to the microphone positions, angles, distances, or heights if needed. Take your time to find the sweet spot that captures the acoustic guitar’s true essence.

Wrap Up.

Recording an acoustic guitar in a stereo mic setup opens up a world of possibilities in terms of capturing a realistic and immersive sound. By selecting the right microphones, experimenting with microphone placement, and paying attention to the room acoustics, you can achieve outstanding stereo recordings that bring your acoustic guitar performances to life. Remember, every recording environment and guitar is unique, so trust your ears and be open to experimentation.

Looking for some microphone options? Check out my post on finding the Best Mic For Acoustic Guitar.

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Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.