Listen to the problem first.
Excessive proximity creates inflated lows and mechanical noise; too much distance lets a mediocre room dominate the recording.
Acoustic musicnatural capture for guitar, vocals and small ensembles.
In acoustic production, fingers, breath, wood and room are part of the arrangement. A strong take reduces the need for processing later.
Mix Acoustic music with AI →Decisions with intent.
Find the point where the instrument sounds balanced, move the microphone before reaching for EQ and protect performance dynamics.
RECOMMENDED FLOW
Three steps. You keep control.
Prepare the session
Define intent, references, tuning, tempo, room and a clear file structure.
Capture with headroom
Choose microphones for source and room, control phase and preserve clean peaks.
Mix in context
Balance, automate and compare before mastering or applying a preset.
How to prepare and capture the performance
Decisions made before recording determine how much processing you will need later.
Position before plugins
For guitar, start between the 12th fret and neck joint, 20–40 cm away. Avoid pointing at the sound hole when lows become excessive.
Control noise and tempo
Turn off fans, check clothing and chair noise, record ten seconds of room tone and use a click only when it does not compromise the performance.
Recommended microphones and placement
Models are tonal references; the room, source and position matter more than the brand.
Guitar and strings
A small-diaphragm condenser such as a KM 184 or AT4041 provides detail; a ribbon softens bright picks. For stereo, try XY or ORTF with a matched pair.
Vocals
A large-diaphragm condenser such as an AT4050, C414 or TLM 103 works in a controlled room; an SM7B may be safer around reflections or noise.
Compressors and peak control
Use compression with an audible purpose and always compare at matched level.
Gentle compression
An LA-2A-style optical compressor with 1–3 dB of reduction can stabilize vocal or guitar without flattening the attack.
Fast peaks
For hard strums or consonants, place an 1176 first with a slower attack and fast release, reducing peaks only.
From initial balance to final delivery
Technique should support arrangement and emotion rather than impose a fixed recipe.
Respect the center
With guitar and vocal, do not widen everything artificially. Keep the vocal stable and use panning or stereo only when the recording supports it.
Mastering
Keep microdynamics, inspect wood resonances and avoid making room noise obvious through excessive normalization.
IN THIS GUIDE
Information you can apply.
- ✓ Actionable recording guidance
- ✓ Microphones by source type
- ✓ Purposeful compression
- ✓ Mixing and mastering without rigid recipes
Frequently asked questions
Can I record guitar and vocals together?
Yes, especially when the performance improves. Use polar patterns and placement to control bleed, while accepting that isolation will not be complete.
Do I need to record guitar in stereo?
No. A well-positioned mono take is often more solid; use stereo when the room and arrangement truly benefit.
Which preset should I use?
Acoustic is the starting point. Neutral is better when compression, EQ and ambience were already printed during recording.
Your next release can start here.
Three mixes and one MP3 master included in Free. No card required.
Mix Acoustic music with AI →