Audio Recording

One of the most popular pieces of music in modern times is doing “acoustic version” of the song. There are two ways in how to make an acoustic version of the song:

a. First method -> recording acoustic guitar and vocals together
b. Second method -> recording acoustic guitar and vocals in multi-track session

This short guide shows how to properly mix acoustic guitar with vocals using both recording techniques. Let’s discuss the first method:

First method: Mixing acoustic guitar and vocals done together:

Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kikisdad/

In this way, follow the simple steps:

Step 1: Connect the guitar to a mixing console.

Step 2: Connect the microphone for vocals in the mixing console, microphone section.

Step 3: Now, test the vocals and guitars playing together.

Step 4: Using Mixing console EQ or any equalizers. Cut -6dB at 3000Hz for guitars (Q=1.4). Boost 2dB at 3000Hz for vocals (Q=1.4). If you cannot find equalizers for each track, you may have trouble recording together.

Step 5: Now, test again. You should clearly hear the vocalist lyrics played with the acoustic guitar together.

Step 6: Commence the recording session. After recording it together, the acoustic version is cleanly recorded and mixed.

Second method: Mixing in multi-track – acoustic guitar and vocals

Step 1: Connect the acoustic guitar first in the mixing console.

Step 2: Record the acoustic guitar first (this is accompaniment) , the vocalist can sing but it is not recorded (only serve as a guide to the guitarist).

Step 3: Record the vocals using recorded acoustic guitar in the multi-track view.

Step 4: Now that the two are recorded together, Cut -6dB for acoustic guitar at 3000Hz (Q=1.4) and boost 2dB for vocals (Q=1.4 at 3000Hz).

Step 5: Listen to the mix very carefully; you should hear the vocalist lyrics clearly played together with the acoustic guitar accompaniment.

Step 6: Mix down the acoustic guitar and vocal tracks.