Recording Acoustic Guitar with 2 SM57s - Amazing Sound, Easy to do, and Cheap

I've had this one in the queue for a while, but using SM57s is actually a super easy way to use this technique and get (What I think) is an amazing sound, and easy to mix. Sure, it's not as crisp as condensers, but it's also not killing your ears with the brittle high end. This method of using two SM57s is a great method to try if you don't have any fancy gear, but need fancy sounds.
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[@studiodebras]

I would have been perfectly happy with just the over-the-shoulder mic, surprisingly nice tone. I suspect the room has something to do with that too.

[@strongtowermuzik5440]

Probably the best mic technique I've learned on KZbin this far. Great job man!!

[@ardobkin]

I appreciate all the hard work that went into editing this video together! all the different compression, takes, and mics all line up with the video effortlessly... and it certainly isn't effortless! Thanks for all these videos, they've expanded my knowledge exponentially.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Adam. Yeah it takes around 2-8 hours to edit. This one was about 4 or 5.

[@TTH4245]

Tried this tonight and it sounded really really good. Thank you for sharing

[@tommyflowers7098]

Clearly presented and a great technique. You have an approachable personality for these demonstrations and explainations. Well done!

[@Kitzy]

I was surprised by how much I liked the shoulder mic alone. I use a similar technique with a ribbon as a shoulder mic, and a LDC as the front mic. Panning them hard left and hard right sounds huge. Definitely great for a singer/songwriter vibe where the acoustic guitar is the instrumental focus. I’ll have to try this with 57s next time and see how they compare. Thanks for the great idea!

[@creativesoundlab]

That’s a cool idea. I should try that.

[@garyshirinian]

It really sounds good . Thx for sharing this technique on KZbin.

[@donbmf7408]

That overhead mic is fantastic and the combination even better!!!

[@wasabifox]

The ‘CSL’ micing for acoustic guitars... this will my recording method for acoustic guitars from now on. Thank you VERY much!

[@sfn4702]

Your videos are so good, I always learn something! Thanks man.

[@elstevious]

I just did this with my old 78 taka 12 stringer and it sounded great. I’ll be using this technique all the time. Thank you

[@Tarnith]

I really like the sound of the stereo pan. It has a very balanced yet interesting spread that I really wasn't expecting. Almost sounds good enough to replace a double track!

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah it’s a huge sound. Almost too big.

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

Really nice video. I'm gonna try this when I get better at guitar (just starting; played piano for years though). I already have one SM57, so half way there on the gear! Cheap and great results!

[@resslerartstudios]

Dude, I tried it. totally awesome! didn't have 2 57's so I subbed one with a beta57a - The beta57a up top, and the sm57 front. same as you did in the vid. still tweekin with positions but like the whole sound I am getting. Thanks!

[@0bjko0]

Not a big fan of the placement of the frontal mic, but the overhead is incredible. I'll definitly try that. I think the front one may be slightly better off-axis. This is definitly worth trying. Great video!

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, this was my first and only placement. We filmed about 20 different things yesterday and I also want to stress that this technique doesn't suck with almost no effort.

[@0bjko0]

@@creativesoundlab Yeah it's still way better than what we can expect from an acoustic guitar recorded with only 57's. And that's a very good starting point to experience even more with this technic. I'm definitly going to consider trying that for my next recording gig.

[@JesseWitneyMusic]

I'm looking forward to giving this a go. Thanks very much!

[@CamiloVelandia]

Wow really digging that top mic position!

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

Saved my life. Thank you. Worked so great yesterday.

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice! Great to hear!

[@violaobrasileiro]

Great technique and amazing video. Cheers!

[@dawsonabel6068]

I'm very impressed with this technique and will definitely be using it myself in the future. It's just more proof that you don't need expensive gear to have a good sounding recording, you just need to be a good engineer.

[@soulslip]

That’s probably 90% of it. Like what Steve Albini says about using even cheap mic preamps is better than not using them etc.... if you know what you are doing can still make fantastic recordings on cheaper gear

[@merenco]

This is definately worth a shot. Been experimenting with shoulder mics the last few days. Now I will try it with the 57's as well as with a few cheapo condenser pencils. Thanks!

[@TruffulaTreeGTR]

Good work!! Definitely going to test this.

[@tedroberts4540]

Great job on the technique and the video presentation

[@PEPPERMINT606]

Makes a lot of sense. Kinda gives you the perspective (acoustically) of what the player hears vs the listener.

[@huncysound]

I’ve been recording Acoustic guitars with a ribbon, mid side, and a small diaphragm. This SM57 technique is far better sounding. Nice and tight, even without the compressor. Thank you for putting together this great video. You Sir remind me of a professor I had in school, I think he invented sound, or had a close personal relationship with it. LoL

[@martinbergmartinberg]

Great method. Really helps with a natural recording. Used two small condensers and it worked really nice. I found it gave a lot of room to move for the player without affecting the sound badly.

[@rothconrad5428]

I think this is really. Just got my first to sm57s and I can't wait to try it!

[@reinaldolopezh]

Man! Great tip for recording acoustic guitar... Thanks for sharing

[@kapitbanda]

this is a very good demonstration, thank you !

[@adamkowalski6733]

I'd never liked acoustic guitars miked with SM57. You've just changed my mind, this technique is awesome. I'll definitely remember it! ;) Good job and keep up the good work!

[@AdamRainStopper]

A new video? A new video! This is exactly what I need right now.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks man, glad to hear that.

[@earlgmusic]

Of course, this is about recording 'rhythm' acoustic guitar. To me, instruments and vocals are equally specific. Here, it depends on the guitar, technique, method of playing (picks, fingerpicks, nails, flesh), and musical context. But your approach is certainly relevant. Thanks for the video!

[@GarrettGardnermusic]

The over the shoulder mic surprised me but makes sense. That’s the perspective I hear my acoustic when I’m playing, so it’s a familiar sound. Nice!

[@joshjenkinson1929]

Amazing mics. Sound great on loads of things without any EQ or messing about as long as you place them correctly.

[@adozensparrows]

That's the next method I'll be trying. Very nice stereo.

[@daleonov]

Cool! Really liked it both in mono and in stereo

[@paulstefanowicz4236]

Great tip; great technique. Thank you

[@peterjackson9529]

Great video!

[@zacgrubble9824]

Well done and thanks for sharing!

[@joelolofsson3604]

really cool! gonna try this sometime

[@lamusicamerodea]

Great data as allways. Thanks man!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@skipper6528]

Love this channel

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@kimhansen6384]

Very interesting experiment. I wouldn´t have thought that, but I actually liked the agressive compressed version quite much.

[@Passenger-hn5fb]

Cool technique! There's some other helpful gems in here too:) cheers!

[@thecamocanoe]

This shall be dubbed the “Ryan Method”. Sounded great.

[@creativesoundlab]

Haha thanks !

[@amgauctions29musicgearandm31]

Wow !!! Technically excellent guitarist, dynamically adept.

[@sebastiancuthbertmusic]

Great idea!

[@RedHeadGuitar]

Sounds amazing. The over the-the-shoulder mic sounds a lot like what you hear as a player, that's really neat combined with the traditional mic up front. I've got one SM57 and a AKG P420 (2nd gen, not one of the horrible blue ones). I wonder how this works together. I'm thinking of putting the P420 condenser over the shoulder for some crisp high end and the SM57 up front for it delivers some smooth mid range.

[@africanviolet4773]

Hey! Thank you for all the effort you put into your videos. It really helps to those of us that try to learn intricate details online, and you make it so easy for us :) Quick question; I’ve seen you use Warm Audio outboard gear in your previous videos. What is your general opinion on WA compressors and preamps and how do WA-76 and WA-2A compare to the Klark Teknik (?) 1176 and LA-2A clones? Will you recommend other inexpensive stuff like Golden Age Project etc?

[@Elixirmusiques]

Amazing stuff! Thanks a bunch

[@johnnyguitwithit2614]

Well done sir

[@SatanicJamnic]

I have never touched guitar. I don't make music. And I like to watch your content, just because it's produced well, and I like how you explain things. Cheers.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks man, glad to have you here!

[@revoxjazz8317]

I like things explained in this way. I like the Shure SM57 and I like the sound of a perfectly audible acoustic guitar. I do not know in what other circumstances this setup would work well but from what I realized, this is a very reasonable way to get a decent sound from an acoustic guitar, so I just have to thank you for this suggestion.

[@fishbake7]

What is a huge factor is, how does it sound in a mix?

[@catface101]

Would love to hear how this compares to using LDCs or pencil condensers in the same configuration.

[@johnstitt2615]

Think I will try this

[@justiceforall6412]

Really nice tutorial, thx.

[@CesarBenzoni]

Interesting! Great sound

[@HomeStudioBasics]

Hey man what mic combo would you suggest for acoustic guitar + singing at the same time? Do you think this setup would be good for that?

[@Petterballs]

This might work on a Classical/Spanish guitar. I record a lot of classical music in my school and some rooms are really shitty. This might give that big guitar sound without a lot of room sound. After that, slap a nice reverb and you're good to go. Nice vid as always!

[@JaneWillowMusic]

I loved this video Thank you!

[@ChristianIce]

There was a huge ring around 600 Hz on the front mic alone. Did you notch it out or it disappeared by phase cancellation?

[@creativesoundlab]

Um, yeah I noticed that too. I think there was a boost that came naturally at 680. I meant to talk about this, but forgot. I don't think I did any EQ in that frequency range.

[@MeTuLHeD]

Comb filtering...?

[@willsmithers3172]

Best channel

[@Bills_Place]

Surprisingly good, I'm going to try this. I might try the same placement with Rode NT-5s (since that's the only other mic I happen to have 2 of in my "studio")

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, go for it. For the NT5, I would gently reduce the highs just so that the lows and mids are stronger. That's actually the mic I talk into.

[@peddlebreaker]

Amazing technique and video Ryan, thank you! How did you get 2 57's to sound that good without any noise? What pre's were you using?

[@mikeberk3214]

Cool! I tried this before I ever saw this video but I placed 1 mic about 12 inches in front of the sound hole (for bass) and 1 mic the same distance in front of the 12th fret (for treble). also came out great!

[@J-DUB-F1]

Sounds really nice!. Very natural with no hype in the low or highs. A couple questions. 1- is your recording space really dry? 2-What pre were you using, and did you have to really gain it up? Having a dynamic that far away I've never been able to capture an acoustic, not without cranking the pre up and if there's a comp making up gain there. This of course will raise the noise floor, and if you don't have aq reasonably sound proofed room, it's a big problem.

[@loudtim265]

This is a solid question. I think a lot of newer ppl have trouble getting this kind of clarity in general without a good bit of hiss. Get rid of the noise and the source starts to sound a little distant or even grainy (?). The room is certainly a big factor here along with proper gain staging, but it might be worth a walk-thru vid of micing and recording an acoustic instrument from step 0 to hitting the rec button.

[@chadnathanbenson]

John Wells +1 to John’s question!! I deal with a similar issue regarding noise floor and micing from those distances.

[@benoittissier58]

Get a Fethead or equivalent and you'll be surprised how much a 57 can achieve ! It is powered by phantom power and brings 27 dB of clean gain.

[@maldonadocorrea]

excelente, como siempre se aprende mucho

[@joshuagutierrez8407]

Great video! Wow, you made this sound like a million bucks! At the beginning you said you had been double-mic’ing for other things. Now I’m curious what “Top-End” mics sound like using this technique.

[@dinoschachten]

1:31 I see what you did there. :D Amazing, I never thought SM57s would sound this pleasing on detail-rich, organic instruments - well, let's be honest, individually they don't. All the more remarkable that they can be made to in this configuration.

[@wilo1463]

VERY VERY GOOD

[@viveka2211]

Great suggestions.... Keep it up

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks!

[@saam6768]

This was one of the best videos you've done in a while. Not that there are any bad ones, but this was just awesome. Do you happen to recall what pre-amps were used with the respective microphones?

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah WA-412 at 600 ohmns.

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

you applied the “recordman” to a guitar☺️

[@kepriworks]

Pretty Cool

[@SuperCullen69]

The player looks at the camera as soon as the mics are together like “yeah listen to that shit” lol

[@florindinu4348]

Hi! Beautiful acoustic image. I really love the woody sound of sm57! Can it be done with separate compressors? Let's say: dbx160a and wa76. Each for one microphone?

[@AnshYadav-ki9ph]

Really nice video.. Which audio interface should I buy, and does it will affect the tone or audio quality of the Mics ? Should I go for Audient id4 or Volt 276 ? Thanks for the informative video it really helps.

[@goldensleeves]

What would you call this stereo micing technique? Also, how far are the mics from the guitar? Also, why does the mic from above sound so good? I would expect that it would not have much detail but it sound clearer than the mic actually facing the guitar. Thanks in advance. Great video. Subscribed.

[@raymondlooi]

Always enjoy your videos with strong informative and proven result! Superb tone! Personally love the moderate compression version! **Shoulder Mic placement, just right the above of (in line with) shoulder or a feet further from shoulder? For the front Mic, just placed right in front of the sound hole?

[@creativesoundlab]

Shoulder mic is often very close to shoulder. Close enough to kiss it. Haha how else to describe it?! Front mic is usually by the 14th fret or on the neck side to avoid being in front of the hole.

[@raymondlooi]

​@@creativesoundlab Appreciate your reply with patience! 😄 I got your idea and I just did a test on it with SM57 pointed to 12th fret and small diaphragm Mic above shoulder (I didn't kiss the mic, but it knocked on my head 😭). YES, this is the best recording technic and sound so sweet! 😍 Thanks again for your efforts!

[@terrydoylemusic]

Great video. I have been doing this with two Cascade ribbons and I call it Glyn Johns guitar :-)

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

find out who the hell knows who Glynn or his late brother Andy even our will be amazing lol

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

Thank you

[@CarloLibertini]

Very Nice!...

[@luisadolforoblestorres1552]

Great!

[@TheSimonarne]

i did a technique you showed but i addded a room mic and i kept the di aswell so. so what i did was i put one mic to the body from the left side when looking at the guitarist and from the 12 fret towards the sound hole and i panned those hard left right and i put the di in until i liked the ratio and did the same with the room mic. i placed the room mic at about the same height as the head of the player behind him and i was pleased with that sound

[@anterdogan]

Recently I wanted to record a Turkish Cura. I used one SM57 and placed it really closely to the instrument because I barely could get any signal into my interface. So when I saw your mic-placement, I was wondering whether you cranked up the gain on your interface or if you used a preamp in this recording. It would be great if you could give me an answer :)

[@robertsomerville320]

Amazing Sound? I have struggled to find the sound you demonstrated. I have never been able to get the acoustic strumming to sit more prominently in the mix once some drums, bass, keys, and vocal are added in. What would you suggest is the key to not letting the acoustic guitar get buried in the overall mix? (never would have guessed 2, sm-57's... wow)

[@bluzikmusic]

Very interesting video - thanks. Find the overhead mike picks up my breathing. Any suggestions (apart from not breathing!) to either stop that occurring or EQ'ing the breathing out afterwards? I use the guitar preamp in tandem with a Lewitt Audio LCT 140 mike pointing at frets 14/12. Which technique do you think produces the better sound?

[@stevelaferney3579]

Great TY

[@reneliebregt6319]

Nice video and yes sm57 are cheap mics but it is nice to have a tegeler audio preamp that cost around ten times more than 2 sm57 🤓

[@ytb917]

interesting mic placement with a nice result. instead of both mics in front, you went with an overhead! very innovative, because an acoustic guitar is not thought of typically as an overhead mic concept.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah it’s not my idea but I’ve just figured out that a sm57 can work well with this.

[@Rondozza]

funny...your dreadlocks geting longer and longer over the years :) reminds me of my dreads. i had mine for 17 years. great video as ever by the way. thank you. greetings from germany

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Ron! Yeah, I'm at 7 years I think. Jan 20, 2012.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@creativesoundlab probably make it Adam duritz jealous 🤣😂

[@yackohoopy]

I did something similar to that years ago. I had an SM57 tilted up near the soundhole and a large diaphragm condenser about 4-5 feet away to capture the room. Together they sounded amazing. I kept both tracks. Downside was that the earphones bled like crazy and you could hear the click track.

[@creativesoundlab]

Ah, yeah that's a good point about the headphone bleed.

[@davidmccune2632]

Thank goodness.. I thought I was the only one with headphone bleed issues.. when I mention it at music stores and try to inquire about headphones that don't bleed out, they look at me like I'm crazy. I did my own research and Shure SRH1540 headphones come up.. They claim no bleed at all. Does anybody out there know this to be true?

[@yackohoopy]

@@davidmccune2632, I changed my headphones to the Vic Firth headphones and nothing gets through those.

[@davidmccune2632]

@@yackohoopy which model may I ask ?

[@yackohoopy]

@@davidmccune2632, the Vic Firth SIH2. They have a Bluetooth version of it too. They’re only about $90

[@TimOost]

I like!

[@StantsLOL]

Hey when I tried recording with a 57 and a condenser, the 57 was so noisy from the preamp. do you use a cloud lifter or something to get these signals up to a level without having to add a crazy amount of gain on the pre? I have a presonus 44vsl and it sounds like trash because of how much noise it takes to get a 57 up to a level to record a softly played acoustic part fingerpicked, any tips?

[@jamaisdirei]

Nebraska, de Bruce Springsteen foi todo gravado com 2 SM57 e uma Tascam Portastudio

[@SoundFriendly]

How much gain did you put on the preamps for each individual mics ? Thanks for answering.

[@ottomanmuzic5744]

I can't stand the sm57 what preamp are you using? Is it tegeler? How do like that pre on guitars? And vocals? Also do you recommend using compression on tracking guitars? Are you using compression on both mics?

[@steveapplegate322]

Thanks for that demonstration but if I put my 57s that far away they would not pick up. I’m not sure why but I have to raise my record level to the highest point to get sound. I’ve even tried a different interface with same result. Do I need some sort of a preamp? Thanks again, Steve

[@dimitriskorontzis8699]

Hello you think it will work the same good as your example if you play something more delicated with the fingers like arpegios?

[@TheOnlineBusker]

Hi, with the mic facing the guitar, did you have to turn the interface gain way up? I found the SM57 to be quite "weak" especially atthat distance, so I bought a Fethead....problem solved.

[@creativesoundlab]

Interfaces need about 30-40% more rotation of the gain knob it seems. For me I was about half way up on the external preamps.