This how-to video for recording acoustic guitar is put out by ServeTheSong.net – it covers the basics of the X-Y mic pattern placement.
Gear in the Video:
- 2 Oktava condenser mics, model not mentioned
- Pro-tools
- Acoustic guitar model unknown
- Signal chain setup unknown
Techniques & Tips in Video:
- Using two mics to record in stereo and pick up more of the sound the acoustic is creating
- X-Y Mic Pattern – When using two condenser mics of this style try positioning them so that lines drawn out from the tip of each would cross at a 90 degree angle. The sweet-spot where these imaginary lines cross is the perfect place to pick up a stereo recording of your acoustic guitar
- Mic positioning – Suggested positioning the microphones five to six inches from the neck of the guitar, around the 12th fret.
- Staying stable during playing is important with this type of mic recording, as the sweet spot can be lost easily with some upper body movement
- Doubling up of tracks: playing the guitar bit twice to create a natural reverb/chorus effect, then panning one hard left and one hard right
Video Pros:
- There is a nice combination of video of the musician & mics, with screen capture of the pro-tools set-up
- Video audio cuts to pro-tools recording so you get to hear what the musician actually recorded, instead of just the video-cam mic
Video Cons:
- No explanation of the signal chain equipment used, the preamp gain, or any of that juicy stuff
- No links to high quality recordings for download, as Youtube is not the best way to review audio quality (this is more important when specific gear is mentioned, but always a big plus to an audio review or tips video)