Micing Acoustic Guitar In Garageband, how to get the best sound out of an sm57 Options

[Hugo Cole]

Hi

Purists please cover your eyes. I have been trying to get a non-horrible acoustic guitar sound using an SM57 through the Firebox in Garageband. I haven't been working too hard at it, actually, but what I have done is manually set the EQ with mid gain mid frequency and treble gain all the way up (well, mid frequency is not quite all the way up) and bass gain allmost all the way down. I also have the compressor at 100%. Otherwise, no effects. The end result, although containing a lot of high-frequency noise, at least sounds sort of like the acoustic guitar sound I hear on records, and the noise doesn't come through significantly in the overall mix. My stuff is basically 70's oriented rock. Any tips? Other than get a condenser mic.

Thanks
Ken

[banevt]

I've actually heard of some people using a 57 on acoustic guitar before and getting good results. If you are having to cut a lot of low end out then maybe you are micing the guitar too close to the sound hole. Most times it doesn't really work to put the mic there. Usually the 5th to 7th fret from the sound hole is a good place to start with the mic. You will most likely not want the mic too close to the guitar if you are getting too much boominess you should try pulling the mic a couple inches away from where you usually put it.