Postioning Techs For Varios Instruments Acoustic

Microphone Positioning: Acoustic String Instruments

Experimentation with mic placement provides the ability to achieve accurate and pleasing sound reproduction on these complex sound sources. It is also an opportunity for exploring sound manipulation, giving the studio engineer many paths to the final mix. Whether you are involved in a music studio, a commercial studio, or a project studio, you should continue to explore different methods of achieving the desired results. The possibilities are limited only by time and curiosity.

Acoustic Guitar (Also Dobro, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Ukelele)

When recording an acoustic guitar, try placing one mic three to six inches away, directly in front of the sound hole. Then put another microphone, of the same type, four feet away. This will allow you to hear the instrument and an element of room ambience. Record both mics dry and flat (no effects or EQ), each to its own track. These two tracks will sound vastly different. Combining them may provide an open sound with the addition of the distant mic.
Giving the effect of two completely different instruments or one in a stereo hallway may be achieved by enhancing each signal with EQ and effects unique to the sound you want to hear. Try the previously mentioned mic technique on any acoustic instrument. Attempt to position the mic in different areas over the instruments, listening for changes in timbre. You will find different areas offer different tonal characteristics.
Soon you should develop “an ear” for finding instruments’ sweet spots. In addition, the artist and style of music should blend with your experiences and knowledge to generate the desired effect.

Acoustic Guitar

Microphone Placement	Tonal Balance	Comments
8 inches from sound hole (see left image below)	Bassy	Good starting placement when leakage is a problem. Roll off bass for a more natural sound (more for a uni than an omni).
3 inches from sound hole	Very bassy, boomy, muddy, full	Very good isolation. Bass roll-off needed for a natural sound.
4 to 8 inches from bridge (see right image below)	Woody, warm, mellow. Mid-bassy, lacks detail	Reduces pick and string noise.
6 inches above the side, over the bridge, and even with the front soundboard	Natural, well-balanced, slightly bright	Less pickup of ambiance and leakage than 3 feet from sound hole.
Miniature microphone clipped outside of sound hole	Natural, well-balanced	Good isolation. Allows freedom of movement.
Miniature microphone clipped inside sound hole	Bassy, less string noise	Reduces leakage. Test positions to find each guitar’s sweet spot.

 

More to come :D