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I am recording someone tomarrow for a project at my school. I was wondering if any one had any sugestions on acoustic guitar Micing techniques. the guitarist plays stuff like jeff buckley and heavy acoustic jazz. These are the mics I have available to me, I have two of each:

Neumann U87
Nueman TLM 193
AKG C-451E or EB451
AkG 414
Apex 430
AKG C-3000

I think I will use the nuemsn U87 for the vocal tracks. Your help will be greatly apresiated. Please give suggestions on placements and any other tricks
Thank you

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KurtFoster Mon, 08/02/2004 - 16:33

I would use the AKG C-451E, EB451 or the 414. Do not point the mic at the sound hole on the guitar. This is a common mistake many recordists make. Instead you want to place one mic so it is pointed at the 12th fret on the neck and the other at the soundboard at the lower bout of the guitar, just below the bridge .. Either way will be good if you are only going to use one mic. Try them both and pick the best. It varies on different guitars ... Use both if you want stereo. is the guitarist singing also at the same time? If so spill will a problem ... the best you can do in this situation is to make spill your friend and try to get as good a sound combining both mics. Be carefull of phase problems ...

anonymous Mon, 08/02/2004 - 16:46

Thank you for your help. I think I will use your stereo sugestion. which ones do think would make the best pair for stereo micing or can I mix them up. I've only been using one mic pointing it at the soundhole the legnth of the guitar and it just hasn't sounded good. Vocal tracks will come later.

Thank you

KurtFoster Mon, 08/02/2004 - 18:15

Try the 451s in stereo .... you can add the 414 or the U87 out front a few feet as a distance mic if you are in a decent sounding room. Just be sure to check the phase by collapsing to mono on the 2-bus ...

You could also use the 414 and the Neumann U87. Don't be afraid to experiment. Stay with the 87, 414 and the 451's though, try to avoid using the Apex 430 and the AKG C-3000 if possible.