How to Record Acoustic Guitar with One Mic

FREE RECORDING CHEAT SHEET HERE: RecordingCheatSheet.com
THE MIC IN THIS VIDEO (Roswell Mini K47): roswellproaudio.com/collectio...
ALL VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES: • How to Record and Mix ...
*****
CONNECT WITH ME:
Facebook: / joegildermusic
Twitter: / joegildermusic
Home Studio Corner: www.homestudiocorner.com
Music: www.joegildermusic.com

[@devingademan]

12:43 Twist and Shout Let it all out These are the things I can do without! Thank you for making these videos. I come back all the time. I will sure give your Acoustic EP from 2017 a listen! Very cool! Thank you, Joe!

[@sunsetpoet-songwriter8323]

I knew the basics of that, but the way your explanation filled it out was very informative. Thank you. Am big fan.

[@sialatorah]

Great teacher. I follow you with another account and I've pretty much lost you for the last few months, but needed to recall this video back today and it did its job smoothly. I'll be following you much closer on the next. I need a good adviser now I'm back in the studio and the precise, insightful and humble way you let it all out is perfect for my needs. Keep ahead and cutting the wind, bro!!!

[@cooperarbogast4018]

I love the sound I get placing the mic about 8-12in from the 14th fret, ever so slightly off-axis (towards the sound hole), about 10-15 degrees. I'm just a rookie, though.

[@bobc3174]

This is a fine video on mic'ing acoustic guitar, but the latter half is also one of the best videos I've seen for demonstrating the sound of the Gibson J-45.

[@SergeUnplugged]

Great recording tips indeed, thank you Joe

[@jhaylward]

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing Joe

[@kinkotcb2]

"A/B" -ing the video at 8:30 and 9:30 flipped a switch for me! All you need is the first downstrum! (might as well include 10:56 for reference)

[@yombeats919]

dude you are a seriously good teacher...just found your channel -- thank you

[@richardhart8533]

Thanks for the tutorial Joe. I agree with your observations regarding the angle of the guitar in relation to the Mic and the essential nature of each instrument. I was surprised you didn't mention the importance of having fresh strings on for tone and intonation. Also I don't think the Snark is accurate enough for recording. Not that you need my critique. Love your show, thanks again.

[@Jogrnarteden48]

Some REALLY good advice here. Thank you x

[@hectormadrigal3949]

hey man, great tips, thank you for share!

[@PonchoWylin]

Binge watching this channel.. great content

[@desolacion2008]

Thanks for your great videos Joe, I have a Shure PG48 microphone that I'm using with Presonus Audiobox USB 96, when I had to record my Spanish classical guitar I had to use volume almost full and be extremely very near to microphone to it can works well

[@JKB_YT]

Learned a lot from this video. Thanks man

[@charass1]

Really appreciate your videos. I decided to start recording my guitar + voice and new to all of the mixing etc. watched a bunch of your vids already and have to say its one of the best I came across! Do you plan to make vid on how to record guitar with 2 mics and some tips and tricks on mixing the stereo track? And do you always record guitar and voice separately? I plan to record all together.

[@TerryWyce]

Joe, this was awesome thank you ! Did exactly what you said , WoW ! you can hear the difference it’s amazing just how a little shift in body position can make a big difference in the type of recording you get!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Nice Terrance!

[@1badsteed]

Most excellent instruction! I'm wondering whether plugging in sounds better vs micing my geetar. Guess I'll have to try both methods. Martin DCPA3 is being used. Has a bunch of different voicings when plugged in with an almost infinite amount of ways to mix the clean signal with the settings.

[@frankhowell8139]

Thanks Joe. That was very practical and helpful. I noticed how moving around makes a big difference in the level of low frequencies last time I was recording. I tried to stay in the same spot after that. After watching your video I will record some samples in different positions to nail the sound I am looking for. God bless.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Nice!

[@mcsweet1966]

To boomy for me i Will endup filtering a lot of it in the mix and i like to get the sound from the start so i do as little as posible to the track, but for a guit and vocal unplugged vibe sure. thanks for the video

[@franciscobuscariolli]

Really Nice video , thanks!

[@KayakCampingOffGrid]

Great job making sense from the black art of audio recording acoustic guitar. 5 stars

[@x5dbose]

So nice 👍

[@TheTom5150]

Cool video man!!! I’ve found I really like the definition in tone I tend to get out of using a small diaphragm mic on acoustic gtrs.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Yeah I love SDC's for acoustic.

[@dannyrosado2554]

Thanks Joe. Great video! Hey, how does your technique differ for recording the Taylor?

[@timetravelpt]

Great tips! :)

[@TheWaphelStudio]

Hello from Puerto Rico! I just got the PreSonus USB 96 bundle with Studio One and it is amazing!! Thanks for the tip!! Going to use it!! I got a question: What was that final chord you were playing?

[@avitolourenco]

Hey Joe just wanted to ask what would be the difference between using a condenser microphone dynamic microphone and just the straight up plug on the guitar what will be the sound characteristics of each one of these methods to record the guitar

[@kombilakombi5410]

clear

[@wilddazebeats]

Was looking for a video about recording my guitar (a Gibson J45) with my single mic (a large diaphragm condenser AT4040). Stumbled across this video. Perfect! Thanks for the advice. Gonna try this set up.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Isn't it a great guitar?

[@wilddazebeats]

@@HomeStudioCorner Excellent instrument, for sure!

[@teashea1]

good video

[@schackeline9520]

Great Video! Somehow my breath always gets recorded as well. It is pretty exhausting to play and to concentrate not to breath too loud. Any tips?

[@staciezelling9378]

Hi Joe, this video was great thanks for the direction it will help greatly. I do have a question that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere for so I figured I would ask you. When we record acoustic guitar the input volume is very low, can you show what setting you use on your system? We are running a studio24c with studio one artist 4. I find I end up turning the gain way up to get a decent sound strength, also I have to "normalize audio" for everything. I wonder if I have some preset on that is affecting this, any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again! Stacie

[@SonOfManMusic]

nice

[@jethroburns]

Do you ever plug your guitar into your computer? I have exactly the same Gibson guitar and I sometimes use the incorporated pickup to create a semi-acoustic feel (adding an ampsim). Any thoughts on this?

[@TheHorizonDuet]

It must be said, new strings make a world of difference

[@burcinodabasgil2298]

Best videos ever

[@HomeStudioCorner]

😊 thanks!

[@HanifiDst]

how to send you mixes to get feedbacks ??? great video btw

[@ginster31]

Very informative, great video Joe. Could you possibly do an updated video on how you process the recorded guitars these days?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Definitely

[@coolworship6704]

can't wait

[@lybrics9273]

Hello Joe :) I have a question about gain on a USB interface. I am using Komplete Audio 6. How much gain should be used? If its too low I cant hear the guitar until after I recorded it. If its too high the mic picks up a lot more than my guitar for example me breathing xD I know the "right answer" might depend on a lot of things like room acoustics, mic etc. My daw is studio one pro 5.

[@alirezayousefirad]

Nice video, Is your room acoustic treated or do you just record in a normal bedroom? do you cover a rug on your floor or is that hardwood or sth else? please answer this question because I have recording equipments but whenever I record in a bedroom I get a dead muddy sound with lot of resonant frequency!

[@jjweller2797]

Thanks! How do you discern where in your room to track acoustics-or if your room is worth tracking in at all? I’ve recorded a lot of music at home using libraries and electric guitar, but have never needed to track great sounding acoustics until now. I’m not sure where’s the best spot in the room to try. Any rules of thumb to look out for? Blessings

[@TVsBen]

Those Snark tuners are nice. I got one on Amazon for like 7 or 8 bucks. Well worth it.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Crazy they're that cheap.

[@Siege-xs6br]

Do you ever use the pickup in the guitar to record, or always just an external mic? Do you ever use both?

[@john-acellera]

Can you show me how to record fingerstyle with that kind of mic? Mono? Or stereo? Which is best? Thank you

[@noelhoekstra6852]

What mic setup do you advise for recording a song with only one acoustic guitar (playing chords) and vocals? One large mic or two smaller condensers?

[@jchrisharris]

What string weight and pick type do you recommend? For context, I have a Taylor 214

[@Esperia-ef9xh]

❤❤

[@peternova8119]

Joe excelent video! Thanks! Which mic are you using for your voice in this episode?

[@jakecal6802]

Roswell Mini K47

[@stephenfell4338]

Do you advice doing a cut of the low frequency before starting to record ? Thankyou

[@claudius3124]

Great video Joe! You are an excellent communicator - and a funny one too! ;-) And I do really like that J45 of yours..... One day.... ;-) (and I think your Rain EP is superb! I even featured it on one of my local radio music show! :-D !!!!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Wow thanks Claudius! Would love to hear more about your radio show.

[@claudius3124]

About the show : As a side line (I'm a composer/musician/producer/sound technician, well, you know what it is....), I'v been the musical collaborator for the morning show every Friday, here in Magdalen Islands, Quebec, for the last three years. It's called ZiQ and it's on a french radio (CFIM) so every week I'm featuring mostly non-french speaking and lesser known artists that I like, in different genres and styles (apart from you, I played Darlingside, Steve Gunn, The Cave Singers, Stephen Steinbrink and many many other great artists).. People seem to appreciate the show so I still do it. I've been following you for a while now (and also Warren Huart, Chris Selim and a few others) here on KZbin and Facebook and I really appreciate what you guys do. For me it's a way to feel less isolated. It's like I'm part of a great community of musicians and music lovers from all around the world. And that feels good. So... Thank you Joe !

[@allangauthier6307]

Hey man love your videos. I have a beautiful sounding martin d16 I use with an aston origin mic. My question is does it matter where in your room you do your mic placement? Would middle of the room capture best acoustics?

[@nickporter9583]

i just bought the same mic and im wondering the same... im in a somewhat smaller studio room with only a little bit of acoustic foam on the walls. im thinking middle of the room is the move

[@donniesmith1646]

Great ideas! Sometimes it's amazing what a little angle change can do with different mics.

[@jamescoats385]

Great point on making sure the guitar is tuned. On that point, what are your thoughts on tuners inside of DAWs? Do you use or trust them?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

When the battery dies on my tuner I'll use the DAW one. Great option in a pinch.

[@dannylharper6889]

Which do you like better Joe? Recording it stereo oor mono.. 2 mic or 1 mic?

[@andresstoner5839]

He@Joe thanks for the video, I have a problem here, so I own an acoustic electric guitar by Fender FA 125 CE and the mic by presonus the M7 that came with a bundle, the big issue is about recording , even if I connect straight to the interface (ITWO AUDIO BOX BY PRESONUS) the recording waves is not even noticeable and obviously you cannot hear it, the same if I use the microphone, what could be the issue? Is this something that have to do with automation? Thanks

[@driverbarnvlogs6973]

Would you suggest not recording an acoustic standing up? I'm also assuming the guitar player needs to not sway the guitar while playing?

[@alcraig1]

What about the tuner plug in in Studio One.

[@BHiemisch]

Great video, thanks for that. Can you please explain how you record your voice during your videos? I don't see any microphone near your head.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Rode VideoMic

[@wokeupinapanic]

Just want to point out that you shouldn’t just tune your guitar at the top of the recording session. Check the tuning before every. single. take. It’s a pain in the ass, but it’s super necessary. You may not realize it, but even the heat from your hands can affect your strings enough to put them out of tune. On an acoustic, if you’re bringing it somewhere, or it does not live in the room it is being recorded in, it will adjust to the environment over time. Your body can warm it up, the room could suck the humidity from it, you could be bending or aggressively strumming new/unstretched strings. The longer you work, the less you’ll want to do it, but it’s also likely that as it adjusts, you’ll likely need to check it less anyways, as temp will play a smaller role as it begins to match you and the room. The heat from my hands warms my strings, so when I stop playing to do some edits, the guitar cools, the strings shorten, which pull my strings too sharp in-between takes. This particular issue happens even with my electrics, honestly.

[@ErJoeJehosaphatz]

I'm curious if you've ever used the expression pickup on the Taylor as well when you're recording, just to have options for mixing. Personally, I can't stand the sound of acoustic pickups. I haven't really heard one that sounds good, but I could see maybe capturing something of use for mixing maybe.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

I hate pickup sounds too.

[@donttalktome4696]

Check out the gibson g45. It's a bright quick to volume guitar at $1000

[@blueskylizard1]

What studio monitors are in the background??

[@claytonscott3679]

Hi Joe my name is Clayton Scott I’m a studio one user I’m also a musician My question is when I’m recording acoustic guitar how do I get rid of pick noise in my Recording

[@heathertanner3338]

Do you ever plug in the guitar, or do you steer away from that? This is great info. I usually just play the piano with vocals for my covers and compositions... but I’ve started adding in guitar... and I definitely need these tips!! Thanks :)

[@HomeStudioCorner]

I personally think plugged-in acoustic sounds awful. It's a rich, complex instrument, and the only way to capture that is with a microphone. (My 2 cents)

[@heathertanner3338]

Joe Gilder • Home Studio Corner I kind of thought the same thing with my last recording! Haha! I plugged it in for the first time 🤷🏻‍♀️ and had a hard time getting the sound I wanted that way. I’m glad my thoughts are validated though now. I need to get a second mic for sure as I only have one right now for vocals. Thanks for the suggestion you linked for a mic. Will have to get it eventually.

[@ScottTowns]

Great video Joe, what’s your thoughts on using two mics to record acoustic guitar in stereo? I tend to use my matched pair of AKG C214’s to create stereo width when I only have guitar/vocals. I’d love to hear your views.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Check it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqnVpKlofN12rKM

[@ScottTowns]

Joe Gilder Music who’s - the - man...!!!! You... that’s who! 🤓👍

[@eddieb2255]

sounds amazing i have the same guitar what preamp did you use and was there any eq or for that anything in the chain

[@superblindeye1]

How can we send you our mixes to critique?

[@KaranRao9918]

How to take DT & TT with one mic & how to edit & pan them ...??

[@GonzaSilva.]

what about guitars with a lott of dynamics?

[@richardmckrell4899]

You can get great acoustic recordings with a $150 vintage Yamaha acoustic.

[@rstevenhanson]

From Texas?

[@alwaysforget911]

could you go over recording and mixing a song that consists of just one (or two) acoustic guitar and vocals? how does the process differ from a full band recording?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Definitely will try to do more, John. You might be interested in my Guitar/Vocal Production Course: www.homestudiocorner.com/gvp

[@alwaysforget911]

Joe Gilder Music i would be if i could afford it :(

[@dickderry]

Is that a Gibson J45 Joe?

[@Fezzler61]

How important is the room sound when recording acoustic guitar? (vs adding "space" with effects, i.e. reverb). I have a small home studio and I treated it for mixing. It is not "dead" but it is "tight" with reflections nicely under control. First thing I noticed was my acoustic guitars didn't sound as good in the treated room. So, is that good as I have more control over the recorded reflections and can control space in the mix? Or is it bad as I need to record outside my home studio in my hallway or something (not always convenient on the fly with family and dogs and appliances and TVs, and traffic etc.)?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Could be a personal preference thing, but I don't like any sort of "room" sound on my acoustic guitar.

[@Fezzler61]

Ah, helpful info to consider.

[@feeno1188]

You guys record with more than one mic???

[@williama-d6]

What do you think of the sm57. Microphone for recording acoustic guitar

[@HomeStudioCorner]

ANY mic will work. :)

[@MrPajmej]

I struggle with nose breath noise when using this mic technique. I am not touching -18 at all. I am around -20dB. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[@jeffdemarcus2434]

Use a mask

[@thepoetmustdie]

What do you think about the Blue bird microphone? I enjoy watching your videos I am in Berklee College of Music for MP and watching insight from another performer helps me evaluate my own wants and needs in the studio! keep up the fantastic work!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Love blue mics. I've used the Baby Bottle quite a bit.

[@Martinlgn]

I have the bluebird and I must say it is pretty impressive on acoustic guitar. Not as good on vocals imo, because of excessive sibilance, but usable anyway.

[@DarkoP9.13]

Studio=Study So eth is leaning the sound of instruments, mics, acoustics of room , what works in a mix etc, there4 experimenting 13Knowledge 13RaSpect

[@TresSeaver]

One thing about the sound of the instrument: replace old strings before recording! They are dull and harder to tune well. The day before works well (lets them stretch out), but even right before is better than recording them dull.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

100%

[@njcranes]

No such thing as too much boom from My j45, that's what it's made for!

[@danny1959]

Do you think that acoustic guitar impulse responses make a difference in the sound you capture?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Huh?

[@danny1959]

Impulse responses are wave files that emulate rooms for reverb or cabinets for amplifiers. There are also some that emulate Martins and Taylors, among other types of acoustic guitars.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Beats me. I prefer to just record the guitar with a microphone. 😊

[@jazzlehazzle]

Although, a cheap $20mic and a cheap old Yamaha FG401 came out sounding incredible so... don't need a great guitar, just one that sounds guitary :)

[@dragtr0n]

Which body type do u prefer the most?? Dreadnought or concert type?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

It's not the body shape as much as the specific guitar. I like my Gibson J45 more than my Taylor.

[@dragtr0n]

@@HomeStudioCorner lemme be real i dont have a budget for a gibson rit now. but i have seen some reviews on fender cc60s. its a concert body solid top guitar. i just want to know will it be good enough for recording. i need an acoustic for my ep. any help is appreciated thank u :)

[@smileyfdave]

Great! But where would you mic the Taylor?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

I'd use the techniques in this video. 😊

[@smileyfdave]

@@HomeStudioCorner ok thanks. But you mentioned you'd do it very differently....? I have that Taylor btw

[@DieLewens]

I have the same Taylor... Would love to know aswell...

[@Jogrnarteden48]

Oh yeah and NEW STRINGS for recording ALWAYS. You're going to be listening to this days results, possibly, for the rest of your life 😎

[@b2wtkagm]

I'm trying to mic my acoustic with a Sennheiser dynamic performance mic and the channel is almost all the way up, but the recording is suuuuper quiet. Auughh! Lol

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Yeah those mics have a pretty low output. You could always just turn it up in your DAW. Or get a condenser.

[@b2wtkagm]

@@HomeStudioCorner thank you so much, good sir. I appreciate the time you put into helping us

[@graxx1451]

I am shocked Joe,you are mixing in that room!

[@Bo_mitchell_music]

Question. What makes a 300 dollar condenser mic better than a 50 dollar condenser mic? I know it’s probably a dumb question. But what makes it better

[@SapiensIndica]

Do I need Gibson J45? I have a Gibson J 45 and it sounds shit. May be it’s the strings? My Yamaha vintage sounded better, but that guitar is in another country

[@armansrsa]

what kind of room are you recording in?

[@spaceorbison]

Kurt Cobain recorded Polly and Something In The Way with a 30$ pawn shop 12 string guitar strung with only 5 nylon strings which he never changed lol

[@HomeStudioCorner]

He he. Love it.

[@markszymanski1177]

haha, yes Butch Vig def knows "the magic way"...

[@newrockorder]

SpaceOrbison i don‘t believe that- Nirvana was a commercial band.

[@spaceorbison]

NEW ROCK ORDER , doesn't matter what you believe that's a fact.

[@Guilhermefsch]

Theres a huge difference between what they said they did and what they really did

[@officialWWM]

How to record granddaddy guitar 😂

[@svadhisthana8867]

These kinds of videos never address recording in tiny spaces, which a whole lot of musicians are forced to do. Room reflections affect the recording significantly. How do we poor musicians deal with the undesirable boxy sound of very small rooms?

[@qddk9545]

Yak, yak, yak ....

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Ox, Ox, Ox

[@jackwhaleymedia]

TLDR: tune yo guitbox and move yo body till that shit sounds right.

[@traviscarson247]

the position of you computer monitors are wrong

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Do tell

[@jacobmarcelino3584]

@@HomeStudioCorner This is really late, but I just came across this while getting tips for miking my guitar 😂. I think he’s talking about the angle that you have your studio monitors, there’s plenty of videos on how they’re supposed to be positioned if u haven’t done that already

[@JoshuaMRichard]

Hahaha, tune your d*ng guitars!

[@franciscobuscariolli]

Really Nice video , thanks!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Thanks!