Welcome To Guitar Hookup!

The Art of Microphone Placement When Recording Guitar

The biggest problem with many amateur guitarists is poor tone, and that’s the first thing you might want to correct before you start placing a microphone for recording. Get down and listen to your amp and guitar combination on microphone level – that is where the microphone would be placed when recording. Adjust your tone so that you’re happy with it, but remember one thing: the low-end will be increased with a microphone placed close to the source, which is known as proximity effect.

Like any other piece of kit, the same microphone can give tremendously different results depending on how it is used. To get the sound you are looking for takes a bit of expertise and a lot of experimenting. Even the best microphones available can sound “boomy” and unusable if not used correctly.

So, is microphone placement an art or a science? Well, it’s a little of both, but often just a matter of experimenting until you hear something you like.

To begin with, get a flashlight and press it against the cloth on your amplifier. This is to locate the centre of your speaker cone, once you’ve located the centre, mark it with a pen or some chalk. Next mark the edge of the speaker.

Take your microphone and stand it perpendicular to your amplifier at a 90-degree angle and point it at the centre mark you made earlier, this is known as on axis. Do some recording and listen to the sound files. You’ll find that the sound is aggressive, tremble filled, and maybe a little harsh.

Now move the microphone to the second, outer mark you made. Again, record some tracks and listen to the results. You’ll notice that the sound is a lot mellower than the first with less high end, however can sound a little dull or muddy.

The next step is to do a third recording with the microphone boom moved in on an angle between the points you made, this is known as off axis. This sound is a mixture of the two, not as aggressive as the first however not as dull as the second. Re-listen to the recordings and see what you like.

From here it is really all about experimenting until something grabs you, use on and off axis positions, use different parts of the speaker. It’s important to get the initial sound as you like, as it’s something less to worry about later with an eq, as sometimes you may not be able to fix it.

You might also try using two microphones on your amp – one close up and one farther back and mix and match the two. You also need to remember, when running your amp in a recording situation, recording it at the highest volume possible while still achieving your desired tone is really recommended.

But, how can you really blast your amp without annoying the neighbours? Well that’s where something called an isolation box comes in useful. Take a look at my article on Isolation Boxes.

Weber Natalie and Weber Revibe DIY Guitar Amp Kits

Guitar and Amp combo kit $75.00

Fender Guitar Amp 14″ Tilt Back Leg Kit W/ Hardware NEW $33.00

Fender® 0057577000 Clapton Mid Boost Guitar Pre Amp Kit $69.99

SD-2WH NO SOLDER Guitar Amp Kit 2.5″ X 4″ SPK 2W Volume Gain LED HDPH Cigar Box $29.99

Cigar Box Guitar Building 3 or 4 string, make electric /AC bottle neck amp kit $28.50

Tube Guitar Amp Kit – 4-8 Watt – Handwired Point-to-Point Class-A $275.00

Ibanez IJA22BKN Upgraded Electric Guitar Jumpstart Kit Ibanez G10 GTA10 Amp $0.99

Fender Guitar Amp 14″ Tilt Back Legs Kit New $33.75

CARVIN V3MRP RACK MOUNT BRACKET KIT EARS FOR V3M GUITAR AMP AMPLIFIER 4 RACK NEW $49.00

Complete Kit EQ Pre-Amp plus Pickup for Acoustic Guitar $6.99

Fender Guitar Amp 16″ Tilt Back Leg Kit W/ Hardware NEW $34.50

Boot Hill Amps_Tweed_Deluxe_5E3_Tube Guitar_Amp_Amplifier_Kit_Nice Parts, DIY $199.00

Bassman_Tweed_5F6A_Guitar_or Bass Amp_Amplifier_Kit_DIY Deluxe F&T, Mallory $249.00

Jay Turser / Jay Junior Strat Style Electric Guitar Kit / 1/2 Size / Amp & Cord $59.99

Fender® 0057577000 Clapton Mid Boost Guitar Pre Amp Kit $69.99

Fender Clapton Pre Amp Mid Boost Kit 25dB Strat Guitar $42.82

Fender Clapton Pre Amp Mid Boost Kit 25dB stratocaster guitar 0057577000 $39.99

Pyle Audio PPG-460A -PylePro PPG-460A Guitar Amplifier – Kit $90.31

GF SD-MAH3 Guitar Amp Kit NO SOLDER 5W Overdrive Tone Expander 4″ SPK Cigar Box $42.74

Fender Guitar Amp 19″ Tilt Back Leg Kit W/ Hardware NEW $35.99

Lawson set neck carved top Lp electric guitar, bag, strap, picks, amp pack kit $249.00

Fender Guitar Amp 14″ Tilt Back Legs Kit New $37.79

1981 LEGEND AMP AMPLIFIER ROCK & ROLL KIT GUITAR PRINT AD $7.99

Fender Guitar Amp 16″ Tilt Back Leg Kit W/ Hardware NEW $36.95

Fender 14″ Tilt-Back Amp Leg Kit with nounting hardware for Guitar Amplifier. $38.99

Hitachi DS18DSAL 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver $140.00 Powered by a long-lasting 1.5Ah lithium ion slide battery, the Hitachi DS18DSAL 18-Volt Compact Pro Lithium Ion Drill/Driver packs a powerful punch. Efficient and easy to handle, this variable-speed tool provides professional power in the most compact, lightweight, and ergonomically designed body currently available. For added convenience, it comes with Hitachi’s UB18DAL Lithium Ion Flashlight..ca…

Tripp Lite ISOBAR2-6 2 Outlet Isobar Surge Protector 6ft Cord 1410 Joules $27.13 For more than 20 years America’s leading panies have trusted Tripp Lite’s Isobar Premium surge and noise suppressors to protect sensitive puter working and tele equipment. With more than 14 million satisfied customers the Isobar remains the world’s #1 selling premium surge suppressor. Loaded with a generous bination of high quality ponents near indestructible all-metal case and enhanced noise filt…

General Tools 130 T Handle Reamer $7.10 T-Handle Reamer, Inside Deburring Edge Tool With Capacity Of 1/8″ To 1/2″, T-Handle For Leverage, Made Of Hardened & Tempered Tool Steel With Precision Ground Cutting Edges….

Esteban’s Complete Guitar Course for Beginners $21.53 ESTEBAN’S COMPLETE GUITAR COURSE FOR – DVD Movie…

Apogee JAM Studio Quality Guitar Input for iPad, iPhone and Mac $97.00 JAM brings the legendary sound quality of Apogee to iPadTM, iPhone® and Mac. Now guitarists can have a pocket-sized, plug in and play interface at an unprecedented price and experience ultimate tone with the guitar amps and effects in Apple’s GarageBand software or other compatible applications. Pristine digital sound for ultimate guitar tone JAM is a premium digital converter featuring PureDIGIT…

IBANEZ ELECTRIC GUITAR RG5EX1 PEWTER/DARK GRAY $99.00

RARE COZART 12 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR TELE STYLE $9.95

NEW! Guitar Stand for Acoustic, Electric Bass Classical HEAVY DUTY QUALITY GEAR $9.80

EPIPHONE GIBSON LES PAUL STUDIO ELECTRIC GUITAR BLACK $69.00

NEW SOLID CUSTOM HOT PLAYING strat style NATURAL ELECTRIC GUITAR $9.95

NEW! Electric or Acoustic Guardian A FRAME Folding Guitar Instrument Stand $9.80

GHS Bass Boomers Roundwood Electric Bass Guitar Strings $0.99

NEW UNUSED 2012 Rickenbacker 4003 Jet Glo Electric Bass Guitar w/ Case – J BXXX $2,159.00

Dean ML X Natural Mahogany w/ Chrome Knobs. Dimebag MLX Flying V Electric Guitar $155.00

NEW SCHECTER ZACKY VENGEANCE SIGNATURE 6661 ELECTRIC GUITAR w/ SEYMOUR DUNCANS $899.00

Electric Guitar . Telecaster Semi hollow body $145.00

VINTAGE 1961 NATIONAL WESTWOOD 77 ELECTRIC GUITAR NEW OLD STOCK $3,500.00

Ibanez SR405 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Great Condition! $259.95

Seymour Duncan Blackouts Modular Electric Guitar Preamp, Standard Shaft $54.95

Electric Guitar Kids 30″ Black Guitar With Amp + Case + Strap and More New $74.95

Mako Frankenstrat Electric Guitar ~ Van Halen ~ Fat Strat ~ VH $150.00

DEAN Evo XM 4-string electric BASS guitar new White $229.99

~Sale New Crescent WHITE Electric Guitar+Strap+Gigbag and WARRANTY $69.99

Vintage Project electric guitar with Gibson pickup $224.99

Vintage Harmony Electric Guitar Singlecut Carved Top Dimarzio Humbuckers $175.00

‘07 Gibson USA Robot Les Paul First Run Limited Edition Electric Guitar w/OHSC $2,499.95

SWR Headlite Bass Amp 400 Watt Power Amplifier Electric Bass Guitar Head Class D $699.99

Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino Hollowbody Electric Guitar Duncan Antiquity P90 HSC $1,199.99

VTG Californian Domino Electric Guitar Teisco Japan project Vox Teardrop $249.99

Rare Fender Competition GT Tele Electric Guitar (pre-owned) $599.99

LYON BY WASHBURN 4-STRING ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR BLACK WITH GIG BAG $54.99

Fender American Special Telecaster Electric Guitar Olympic White NEW IN BOX $899.99

ARIA STG SERIES BLACK/WHITE ELECTRIC LEFT HANDED GUITAR $74.99

Durable brass Chrome Volume Tone Control Knob for Electric Guitar Parts $0.99

VINTAGE LOTUS ELECTRIC GUITAR $259.99

TAKAMINE EG523SC ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR $450.00

MICHAEL KELLY MKPVGWH PATRIOT VINTAGE ELECTRIC GUITAR W/ GROVER TUNERS WHITE NEW $499.99

Fender Standard Stratocaster Brown Sunburst Maple Fretboard Electric Guitar Nice $499.99

Luna Henna Paradise II Acoustic-Electric Guitar $399.99

Martin DRS1 Acoustic Electric Guitar Excellent Condition with Hard Case $475.00

★★★★ New electric Guitar Case wood Waterproof Durable #4 $82.95

★★★★ New electric Guitar Case wood Waterproof Durable #6 $82.95

1 pcs New High Quality electric guitar neck Big Head Stock Left Hand $49.00

New electric Guitar Case wood Waterproof Durable #4 $82.95

★★★★ New electric Guitar Case wood Waterproof Durable #7 $99.00

Schecter Guitar Research Raiden DLX-4 Electric Bass Guitar Metallic Silver $9.99

Jackson Custom Shop Exclusive SL2H-V Soloist Natural Series Electric Guitar $2,499.99

CHARVEL DESOLATION STAR DST1 FR TRANS-BLACK ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH HARDSHELL CASE $699.99

Line 6 Pod HD300 Electric Guitar Multi Effects Processor Loop Mic USB MIDI Rec $329.99

Epiphone Sheraton II Left Handed Archtop Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar Grover $549.99

Ibanez AEF37 AE Series Acoustic Electric Guitar $399.99

EPIPHONE LES PAUL STANDARD ELECTRIC GUITAR IN SKB HARD CASE _2 23642 $0.99

10ft 3m Electric Patch Guitar Amplifier AMP Cable Cord $4.79

Crescent GREENBURST Electric Guitar+15w AMPLIFIER+Strap+Cord+Gigbag ACC NEW $99.99

portable RED Quick Change Clamp Key Capo for electric or Acoustic Guitar yld BDJ $0.75

Fender USA 1965 Duo Sonic ll, electric guitar, all original, red, used $600.00

Fender Squier Stratocaster Vintage Modified Surf Green Electric Guitar Strat SQ $299.99

Takamine EC132SCX Classical/Electric Guitar $300.00

Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Electric Guitar Heritage Cherry Sunburst $9.99

Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst 6 String Electric Guitar Rosewood Fretboard $549.99

ESP LTD PB-500 Black Electric Guitar (Rare Production Sample) $300.00

Maxam 40″ Electric Guitar $92.00

Fender 50’s Stratocaster Electric Guitar Surf Green $699.00

Fender Standard Stratocaster Black HSS 6 String Electric Guitar Floyd Rose BLK $699.99

Ibanez RG-270 RG270 Metallic Green/Turquoise Electric Guitar w/Floyd Rose $199.95

Washburn Oscar Schmidt OG2CE OG2CEFYS Dreadnought Acoustic Electric Guitar $179.95

RARE Epiphone Trailer Park Troubadour Airscreamer Electric Guitar/Gibson Gig Bag $649.95

30 Mixed Acoustic Electric Guitar Picks Plectrums 0.71mm $1.00

ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Electric Guitar in Black. KH602 Instock! $749.00

2008 Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitar of the Month Push Tone $1,325.00

30 Multicolor Acoustic Electric Guitar Plectrums Picks 0.71mm $1.00

1984 Peavey Patriot Plus Electric Guitar Made in USA $299.99

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe Acoustic Electric Guitar DJA34 Bone Yard with Bag $489.00

Epiphone Coronet Silverfox 1964 All Original Silver Fox Vintage Electric Guitar $4,995.00

Used Stuntman Electric Guitar. It Looks Like A Shooting Star $65.00

CORT 4 STING ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR $9.99

Elixir Nanoweb Electric Guitar Strings Light 10-46 NEW $9.95

DR Hi Beam Electric Bass Guitar Strings Medium 45-105 $19.95

NEW Crescent SUNBURST Electric Acoustic Guitar+STAND $99.69

AXL ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS LIGHT, PICKS & PICK HOLDER $9.99

Fender US Special HSS Black Stratocaster Strat 6 String Electric Guitar U.S. SPL $899.99

Gibson SG Supreme Electric Guitar w/ Original Hardshell Case $1,299.00

Fender Lonestar Stratocaster Strat 6 String Electric Guitar Lone Star Strat BlK $599.99

10ft 3m Electric Patch Guitar Amplifier AMP Cable Cord $4.79

Fender Deluxe Brown/Gold Plush Electric Guitar Case $155.00

New BLUE CHROME Electric Guitar+AMP Cord & Whammy Bar $69.99

PRS SE Single Cut Red Scarlet Electric Guitar Singlecut Paul Reed Smith 6 String $475.00

IBANEZ GSR100EX-BKL LEFT HANDED Electric Bass Guitar BLACK LEFTY $129.99

IBANEZ TALMAN TCY10E-BK Acoustic-Electric Guitar BLACK $129.99

Fender US Stratocaster Maple Neck 3 Tone Sunburst American Strat Electric Guitar $1,049.99

Jackson USA PC1 Phil Collen Signature Electric Guitar Purple Daze with Case $2,999.00

ESP LTD Ninja-200 Black (Rare Production Sample) Electric Guitar $399.00

D’Addario EXL120+ Nickel Super Light Electric Guitar Strings $4.99

D’Addario EXL120+ Nickel Super Light Electric Guitar Strings $4.99

MICHAEL KELLY MKHYSQHB HYBRID SPECIAL ELECTRIC GUITAR QUILT HONEY BURST NEW $599.99

Fender Pro Junior III Electric Guitar Tube Amplifier JR. Amp Valve 15 Watts 15W $419.99

DR Extra Life Red Devils Electric Guitar Strings -MED RDE-10 RDE10 $9.59

Tradition Electric Guitar $130.00

Musician’s Gear Deluxe Electric Guitar Case $49.99

Ibanez RGD320 MGS Grey Baritone 6 String Electric Guitar Locking Tremolo Whammy $499.99

Aria Pro 2 RS Knight Warrior Electric Guitar With Whammy Bar $109.99

DR RDE9 Extra Life Red Devils Light Electric Guitar Strings RDE-9 $9.59

BULLET BAGS BY PROTEC PADDED GIG BAG FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR $2.99

Ibanez RGD320 WH WHITE Baritone 6 String Electric Guitar Locking Tremolo Whammy $499.99

DR Extra Life Red Devils RD11 Electric Guitar Strings -Heavy RDE-11 $9.59