RECORD YOUR ACOUSTIC GUITAR

RECORDING YOUR OWN MUSIC CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST FUN AND REWARDING EXPERIENCES YOU’LL HAVE WITH YOUR GUITAR – IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DIFFICULT OR EXPENSIVE! OVER THE NEXT FEW PAGES, WE’LL SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHAT GEAR YOU NEED AND HOW TO GET A GREAT SOUND FROM A SIMPLE ACOUSTIC SET-UP...

- Stuart Williams, Chris Bird & Rob Laing

WHAT YOU NEED TO RECORD

BEFORE YOU REALLY GET STUCK INTO RECORDING YOUR ACOUSTIC, HERE’S THE GEAR YOU’LL NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE…

Guitar

This goes without saying, but before you record, it’s worth checking out your guitar for buzzes, noises, and intonation. Setup doesn’t cost much, but the benefits of having your gear in order now will pay off later. Get a set of fresh strings on your guitar, give them plenty of time to stabilize, and you’ll be sure that you’re capturing the best sound possible from your instrument.

Microphones

You don’t need a cupboard full of expensive and rare microphones to get a great sound, but if you’re recording electric and acoustic, we’d suggest getting your hands on at least one condenser microphone and one dynamic microphone (see Mic Check, p58). If you don’t want to buy them, you can always look into hiring some mics (check with your local music shops or practice spaces). With some careful preparation and placement, these will have you covered for most situations.

Mic stands & cables

A mic stand is an essential purchase. Opt for a boom-type stand with an adjustable arm. Most microphones connect via an XLR cable but make sure your audio interface has the right connectors.

Multi-track recorder