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

[coburnm]

I've had good luck with an SM57 myself. In my humble project studio it's about the best of got!

If I'm tracking a song with just acoustic guitar and voice, I will cut two tracks and work with them both in the mix to get what I'm going for. First, I'll place the mic at the 12th fret, 4 to 6 inches away. Secnod, I place the mic behind the bridge (same distance, pointed slightly in toward the sound hole) for the second. If you have two available you could track both at the same time, but I find the slight delay I get when tracking them separately creates a nice effect.

If the acoustic playing a more supporting role in a full band scenario, I'll generally stick with the 12th fret technique and use a bit of EQ and reverb to put it where I want in the mix.

Good luck!