Description
Now that we know how to record an acoustic guitar track with both a mic and a direct signal, let's talk about how to treat it and improve it in whichever program you use to record.
The main thing that I tend to start with is EQ'ing which means to adjust the different frequencies in the spectrum. A really good place to start is to cut all the low bass that we don't need to hear from an acoustic guitar.
From thereon it all depends on what microphone and what guitar you're using, but since we used a vocal mic for this recording, it can be nice to boost the high frequencies a little bit. Sometimes it can also sound good to lower the midrange a little bit. That can help make the acoustic guitar sound more “hollow†and three dimensional.
These are just some very rough guidelines, and this is always different, so you have to experiment on your own. Try to remember that the goal is typically to get it to sound like it does when you strum it and hear it in the room. That's always a great reference to use.
Another way to do it is to find a song you know with an exposed acoustic guitar and try to imitate that to the best of your abilities.
There are of course a million more things to do with this track, but for now let's leave it at the basic EQ'ing.
Now let's hear our microphone recording with the basic EQ completely by itself. Notice that it sounds a lot prettier and more natural than it did before we treated it. Feel free to go back and compare it to the other examples afterwards.
Lesson Info
