Learn How to Mic Acoustic Guitars with Jacquire King

Along with Nashville session guitar ace, Jerry McPherson (Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson) and UA's Ben Lindell, King details his thought process when choosing mics, taking into account genre and eventual mix placement, how he selects mic pairs, and how different combinations of microphones will give you superior results.

Mic Placement
Next, watch and listen as King runs through various mic positions as McPherson plays. Learn how to avoid "cloudy" areas that introduce mud, create a lead vocal "pocket" using panning, and how to effectively "EQ" with mic placement in order to avoid later EQing.

Choosing a Preamp
Get the lowdown as King walks you through various UAD mic preamps, including his faves — API Vision, UA 610-B, and the Neve 1073 plug-ins — and how he casts each preamp depending on mood, genre, and feel of the track. King also runs through the benefits of pairing the right mic with the right preamp.

Bring on the DI
Looking for a little more detail? Learn how to harness an acoustic's onboard pickup, whether you're in a pinch or if you're looking to add some spice to the miked sounds. Learn how King uses the UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ plug-in along with a bluestripe 1176 Limiter, Ocean Way Studios, and Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ plug-ins to add air and tone.

Tips from the Trenches
A Nashville vet with credits on thousands of records, McPherson shows off a variety of Taylor acoustics and details how he chooses different models depending on the vibe of the track. He also details why experimenting with different picks is preferable to EQ tweaking.

[buggzo]

This is like the only legitimate audio engineering video I've come across on YouTube since I've been scrubbing YouTube for like 15 years... I was beginning to wonder if I'm alone in the universe or something...

[rickymolina]

Just wanted to thank Jacquire, Jerry and Ben for this extremely informative masterclass on mic-ing acoustic guitars. It gives songwriters that much more understanding and confidence to try out some professional recording and mixing techniques and create music that can make your music stand out. I learned so much. Thank you everybody.

[MarkGeuel]

This is no doubt the BEST Sound Engineering video lesson I ever had!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 star samples,
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 start demos, and
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 star explanations

[jellybean]

Thanks guys. I've been a live sound guy for over 45 years. I did a few studio gigs, but, missed the roar of the crowd. Now, in old age, I have opened a studio and everything is digital. Who knew? lol. Anyhow, still learning and love to get all the ideas and knowledge I can. Cheers

[artysanmobile]

The acoustic guitar has become perhaps the single most recognizable recorded musical instrument, aside from voice. It dominates a very wide swath of musical style and composition, so has become really critical to record in a manner that best suits the piece. I’ve lost count of the ways I have recorded it over the years but I will say there is definitely no best way. Depending on its use in a song, I have had great success with the following:
1. A tie-clip PZM clamped to the upper soundhole facing the strings.
2. A short shotgun condenser 4 feet away
3. A non-coincident pair of small diaphragm condensers spaced widely
4. A single ribbon mic 6 inches away from the neck-joint
These are techniques I have come back to again and again and it is always the musical intent which dictates where I start.

[kassandjohnbolles]

I am so proud to be a part of the UA family. I love my Apollo and am just touching the surface of the Unison preamps. These video resources are invaluable. Thank you so much!

[andrewtelles]

You’ll end with 100k subscribers if you consistently put out videos like this

[thiseasebob]

This is actually very useful piece of content, full of meaty and non-generic infos, and seeing the engineer take his time to listen (and react accordingly) is the most informative thing ever.
Not that many tracking-focused videos out there with this level of balance between examples, micing techniques, insights (even from the performer in this case, what a luxury!).

Thank you for taking the time to make this really cool video for us!

[chillydill]

This was super interesting! Please do more of these. Maybe next time could be percussion "at home". How to make "cool" sounds and what to think about in general.

[ISaudio]

Wow that DI sound you guys pulled off was incredible.

[MrPhilosofly]

this is amazing. actual professionals sharing their process in real time. there's just so much to learn here for us guys in our spare bedrooms. THANK YOU GENTLEMEN one and all for this masterclass!!

[Rgdonaire_]

More content like this UA. 3 years later I keep coming back to this to improve my acoustic guitar recording game.

[matthewleger]

One of the most helpful videos on youtube. Thanks, UAD.

[hpstr]

Fantastic video! This was a like a master class!!!

[Pertti]

This was great, thank you! Pick is a big deal yes, but so are those hands. What a player!

[nigamshahmusic]

This was an amazing video, thanks so much to everyone who worked on it. Seeing a master at work and really having him talk through his thought process was fantastic and very educational.

[leftofcenter]

One of the best acoustic clips ever guys thanks again…watch this 2 years ago…but needed a refresh

[felipebonacic]

My favorite producer and teacher Mr. King! The attention to all these little details and focusing on the source first, some many golden nuggets! Awesome video! 🙏🏼

[danieldevine]

I'm thankful to have stumbled upon this video. I have always loved the sound of the acoustic instruments on disc one of Jars of Clay's Furthermore (recorded by King)

[ZachSwena]

I love seeing examples of how a $100 mic can be used along side of expensive equipment. Mic placement, and matching it to the application and desired sound is so important...