I’ve gotten this question a lot in the past few weeks for some reason. My response — the correct one — should be a resounding “no clue!” but given my new resolution to napsterize everything I learn about being a DIY rawk star, I will instead divulge my most sacred, cherished secret of how to get a better sound out of an acoustic guitar.

Are you ready? Here it comes. The secret:

Don’t point the microphone at the soundhole.

Okay, there’s a little more to it than that, but that’s the most common mistake, and one that I made over and over again. If you’re using a directional mic, like a Shure SM57, you don’t want to point it at the soundhole, because all it’ll hear is boomy bass end. Likewise, if you point it at the neck, you’ll hear clicky-plucky fret noises. You’ll have better luck getting a natural, full bodied acoustic guitar sound with a condenser microphone, which functions more like a human ear and can pick up some of the room ambience as well.

When I was recording Gravel Road Requiem, I must’ve moved the mic placement fifteen times before I finally got a guitar sound I was happy with. Now, with my AKG C2000B (cheap!) I just drag the mic stand within six inches of the guitar and go for it.

Previously: The Death Of Audiotape

Next: Podcast, ho!