Best Mic Techniques for Recording Acoustic Guitar (Stereo and Mono)

How do you go about mic'ing up an acoustic guitar? Whether with a single mic or in stereo, steel string or nylon string, Justin Colletti offers up some of the most popular and proven approaches to getting a truly great sound.

On deck are techniques like horizontal XY, Vertical XY, ORTF, Spaced, Pair, Over-The-Shoulder and more.

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[chiefindisguise]

TIMESTAMPS:

COINCIDENT TECHNIQUE
Steel
9:04 - Vertical XY
9:27 - Horizontal XY
9:52 - ORTF
Nylon
10:15 - Vertical XY
10:37 - Horizontal XY
10:57 - ORTF

SPACED PAIR TECHNIQUE
Steel
18:25 - Spaced Pair
18:48 - Over The Shoulder Pair
Nylon
19:12 - Spaced Pair
19:32 - Over The Shoulder Pair

SINGLE MIC TECHNIQUE
Steel
20:52 - Single Mic
21:05 - Single Mic w/Room Mic
Nylon
21:16 - Single Mic
21:27 - Single Mic w/Room Mic

[thewhiskeycowboy-official]

I am SO glad you mentioned using two mics recording in MONO. You are the first I have seen bring this up. Why few, if any, others point this out is beyond me. Cheers.

[SLuna]

Thanks. Great demo. I particularly loved the over the shoulder technique. Frequencies were very well balanced.

[mcmc]

This is the best acoustic mic video anywhere. Great options, clearly laid out. I'm going to experiment with all of the configs that Justin presented; looking forward to recording great sounding acoustics. Thanks Justin!

[demetriforakis]

The best acoustic guitar recording video period.

[steverok]

Very nice demonstration. There is another method I came up with, which may be my favorite, where you use two very different mic's in the same position, aiming at the same spot, for example, one large-diaphragm condenser, and one ribbon mic. This way, there is only one variable, i.e., where they are aiming. The LDC gives you the detail and the ribbon gives you the warmth. Best of all worlds. I have been using this technique for 12-string acoustic guitar, and I think I've finally cracked the code.

[Carsonchildersmusicnow]

I really love this, especially over the shoulder. Now I'm also thinking... with the mic over the shoulder like that, there's probably a higher potential of click getting in the recording when the mic is that close to where their headphones would be.

[alexanderfitzwater]

Excellent breakdown of theory and practice, I found this explanation so helpful. Thanks!

[jmsdeco]

Excellent video ! All the mic set ups are useful depending on the situation. There were a few set ups I've never seen before so I greatly appreciate you sharing you're knowledge.

[weaktearecords]

Great video! I'm amazed at the difference in mood for the different setups and how I liked one recording technique for a style of playing and not for a different style. This changes the way I record for sure, thanks!

[adamtown]

ORTIF… best stereo sound in this demo..👍to me.
I’ve personally used spaced pair for a single guitar with overall good results… but found some possible comb filtering at times… maybe do to the guitarist (me😊) moving some…
Great Demonstration and explanation 👌

[bayleecannon]

you put things so simple yet precise and backed with knowledge i know i don’t need to question. love they way you teach 😊

[m.i.stapes]

Nice examples! This should be a good reference to look back at!

[AchrefRoubhi]

I haven't seen a clear tutorial like your tutorial ♥️💪🎵

[kihoalurocks]

Great video! I have 3 favorite techniques. Mid-side, blumlein, and I’ll use 3 mics (spaced triplets?). For the 3 mics I have a bar with 2 mics spaced 8 inches apart and I’ll add a third mic another 8 inches from that. Placed 18 inches from the guitar and the center mic is just forward of the soundhole. All 3 are ribbon mics so I also get some room ambiance. A matched pair of royer 121 and then a cloud-44a. Sometimes I’ll also use a DI from the pickup as well.

[guthhalf]

Super keen to try that over the shoulder technique, I haven't seen this before. Missing out I think.

[mrgdholden]

Over the shoulder dominating. Great video thanks for the tips!

[GEMINDIGO]

Another fantastically informative video!! Thanks for the free education my friend.I might have to listen to the video again a couple of times before I can give you any sort of helpful opinion about what sounds best to my ears.Even better, I'll try out some of these techniques myself...!

[burhaelmusic]

i think my fav is vertical one, and thanks this was fairly helpful 🌝

[gwoodtones]

Thank you for this nice and helpfull video. And its nice you do both folk and classic guitar