How do I take a single acoustic guitar

There are several ways to record an acoustic guitar. We covered the preparation and recording some acoustic guitar techniques for a set in a previous article and will focus on solo acoustic guitar recording techniques in this one focus.

I like to take up the guitar in stereo, for a more detailed sound. Techniques in this article will deal with all stereo recording techniques.

 AB

This technique is by using two omni directional microphones and distances made them apart about 10 meters closer to the instrument, and one on. This environment is a good effect, but can cause problems phase. I like a variation of these cardioids microphone is used to the sound hole and a cardioids mike a foot in the vicinity of the bridge. Guitar sound of the bridge is warmer and adds a nice change to the sound.

 MS

MS method is one of my favorites because of the broad sound it produces. This technique involves a microphone with a cardioids model. The point of the cardioids microphone, sound hole and place the figure-8 microphone behind it, so it is from right to left and lift the instrument. In this technique, you need microphone registers two parts; phase reversal of one of these pieces and then pan them hard left and right. If the pan does not cancel each other out. The sound will be 160 degrees out of phase so that only simple, sounds good to guitar, but not excessive phase.
XY

The first technique is called XY. This model includes two microphone capsules that are placed at an angle of 90 degrees with 130 hits focus on guitar sound hole goal. Results with this technique, sound is in stereo, but not really great. One nice thing is that you do not have phase problems when using this method. 

ORTF

ORTF technique uses two cardioids microphones at 95 degrees apart from each other with cups of about 8 cm apart. This is a good stereo sound without being too large and the effect is minimal phase. This is a very common technique.

Single

Last technique is a cardioids, to close the sound hole and two-room microphones. It is a quick and simple configuration, so if you are looking for is efficiency and economy that can easily mix well to problems with some phase, it works.

When I record guitar I like to use a combination of techniques. My first choice is to close MS method for MIC, then set up two microphones room about ten feet, if I have a nice sounding room. I use cardioids microphones when the room is very much alive and omni directional microphones when the room is smaller and not so friendly.

By Taha Mateen

    

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