The basic setup: what you need to capture good sound

Recording acoustic guitar starts with three things: a microphone, an audio interface, and recording software. You do not need expensive gear — a USB condenser microphone plugged into your computer works, or a standard dynamic microphone like a Shure SM57 paired with a small audio interface. The microphone is what matters most because it picks up the actual sound of the guitar.

Position the microphone 12 to 18 inches from the guitar, pointing at the 12th fret (where the neck meets the body). This spot captures both the treble from the strings and the bass from the body without sounding thin or boomy. Angle it slightly downward if the microphone is above the guitar, or slightly upward if it is below. Avoid pointing it directly at the sound hole — that picks up too much bass and can sound muddy.

Your audio interface is the box that converts the microphone's signal into digital sound your computer can record. If you use a USB microphone, the interface is built in. If you use a standard microphone, you need a separate interface with at least one XLR input. Common budget options include the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or the Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD. Connect the microphone to the interface with an XLR cable, then connect the interface to your computer with USB.

Key Takeaways

  • A condenser microphone placed 12 to 18 inches from the 12th fret captures the most balanced acoustic guitar sound without extra processing.
  • Record in a room with soft surfaces like carpet, curtains, or blankets to reduce echo and room noise.
  • Use free recording software like Audacity or GarageBand to start; you can upgrade later if you need more features.
  • Set your microphone level so the loudest notes peak around -6 dB on your meter, leaving headroom to prevent distortion.
  • A second microphone placed near the body captures different character and can be blended with the first for richer tone.

Preparing your recording space

The room you record in shapes the sound as much as the microphone does. A bare room with hard walls and tile floors bounces sound around and creates echo. Soft materials absorb that echo. Hang blankets or quilts on the walls behind and to the sides of where you sit, lay a carpet or rug under the guitar, and close heavy curtains if you have them. You do not need acoustic foam panels — household items work just as well and cost nothing.

Turn off anything that makes noise: fans, air conditioning, refrigerators in the next room, computers with loud cooling. Close windows if traffic or outdoor noise is audible. If you live in a noisy space, record during the quietest hours — early morning or late evening — and accept that some background hum is normal. You can reduce it slightly in editing, but the goal is to minimize it during recording.

Sit in the same spot each time you record so the microphone position stays consistent. If you are recording multiple takes or overdubs, moving the microphone even a few inches changes the tone noticeably.

Setting levels and testing before you record

Open your recording software and create a new project. Select your audio interface as the input device. Start a test recording and play the guitar at the volume you plan to play during the real take. Watch the level meter in your software — the loudest notes should peak around -6 dB, not at 0 dB. If they hit 0 dB, the sound will distort and you cannot fix it in editing.

If the levels are too low, turn up the gain knob on your audio interface, not the volume in the software. The gain knob amplifies the signal before it reaches your computer; the software volume only makes the recording louder after it is already recorded. Adjust the gain until your loudest notes sit around -6 dB, then leave it there for the whole session.

Play a few seconds and listen back through headphones. You should hear the guitar clearly without hum, hiss, or buzzing. If you hear a hum, it is usually a ground loop — try plugging your audio interface into a different outlet or moving it away from other electronics. If you hear buzzing, check that all cables are fully seated in their connectors.

Recording techniques for different sounds

A single microphone gives you a clean, focused sound. Place it at the 12th fret as described and record your take. If you want more character or depth, use two microphones: one at the 12th fret as before, and a second one closer to the body, around the 15th or 16th fret, angled toward the lower bout of the guitar. Record both at the same time on separate tracks in your software, then blend them in the mix. The body microphone adds warmth; the neck microphone adds clarity.

If you only have one microphone, you can record two passes — one with the microphone at the neck position, one at the body position — and layer them. This takes longer but produces a similar result. Make sure you play identically both times, or the two recordings will not blend smoothly.

For fingerstyle guitar, the single microphone at the 12th fret usually works best because it captures the full range of the strings. For strumming, you may want the microphone slightly closer to the body to pick up more of the percussive attack from the pick hitting the strings.

Recording software options

Audacity is free and runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It records audio, lets you edit and trim, and exports to MP3 or WAV. It has no built-in effects, but it is straightforward and reliable for basic recording.

GarageBand is free on Mac and iPad. It includes basic effects like reverb and compression, a metronome, and the ability to layer multiple tracks. It is more intuitive than Audacity if you are new to recording.

Reaper costs $60 and runs on Windows and Mac. It is a full digital audio workstation with unlimited tracks, professional-grade effects, and tools for editing. It has a steep learning curve but is powerful enough for serious home recording.

Studio One Artist is free and includes more features than Audacity or GarageBand — effects, virtual instruments, and a cleaner interface. It is a good middle ground if you want to grow beyond basic recording.

Start with Audacity or GarageBand. Both are free, and you can move to something more advanced later if you need it.

Reducing noise and fixing common problems

If your recording has a low hum (usually 50 or 60 Hz depending on your country), most recording software can remove it. In Audacity, select the noisy section, go to Effect > Noise Reduction, and let it sample the hum. Then explore it to the whole track. In GarageBand, use the Noise Gate effect to reduce low-level background sound.

If you hear finger squeaks or fret noise, that is the string sliding against the frets or your fingers moving on the neck. Some players like this sound; others want it gone. You cannot remove it completely without re-recording, but you can reduce it by muting the quietest parts of the recording or by using a noise gate to silence anything below a certain volume threshold.

If the recording sounds thin or lacks bass, the microphone was probably too far from the guitar or pointed at the wrong spot. Move it closer to the 12th fret and angle it toward the body. If it sounds boomy, move it away from the sound hole. These adjustments are easier to make before you record than to fix afterward.

Layering multiple takes and basic mixing

Record several takes of the same part. You do not have to use the whole take — you can cut and paste the best sections from different recordings to build a composite track. In your software, create a new track for each take and record them on separate tracks. Then mute and unmute each one to find the sections you like best, and copy-paste them into a final track.

If you are recording multiple guitar parts (rhythm and lead, for example), record them on separate tracks so you can adjust the volume of each one independently. A rhythm part usually sits lower in the mix than a lead part. Start with both at the same volume, then lower the rhythm track by 3 to 6 dB so the lead sits on top.

Add a small amount of reverb to make the guitar sound less dry and boxed-in. Most recording software includes a reverb effect. Use a room reverb or small hall reverb, not a large cathedral reverb. Set the wet/dry mix to around 15 to 25 percent — you should still hear the guitar clearly, but it should not sound like it is in a bathroom.

Exporting and saving your recording

When you are done recording and mixing, export your project as an MP3 or WAV file. WAV is uncompressed and sounds slightly better; MP3 is smaller and easier to share. Most software defaults to 44.1 kHz sample rate and 16-bit depth, which is standard for music and sounds good.

Save your project file as well so you can come back and edit it later if you want to. In Audacity, go to File > Export and choose your format. In GarageBand, go to Share > Export Song and choose the quality. In Reaper or Studio One, use File > Export.

Listen to the exported file on different speakers or headphones before you share it. Headphones often make things sound different than they do on speakers. If something sounds wrong, go back to your project, make the change, and export again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an expensive microphone to record acoustic guitar?

No. A USB condenser microphone under $100 or a standard dynamic microphone like a Shure SM57 with a small audio interface will record good acoustic guitar. The room and microphone placement matter more than the price. Expensive microphones capture more detail, but they also pick up more room noise, so they are not always better for home recording.

Can I record acoustic guitar directly into my computer without an audio interface?

Your computer's built-in microphone will record something, but it picks up keyboard noise, fan noise, and other computer sounds along with the guitar. A USB microphone or a standard microphone with an audio interface isolates the guitar sound and blocks out computer noise. The small cost is worth it.

What should I do if my recording sounds too quiet?

Turn up the gain on your audio interface before you record the next take, not after. If the recording is already done, you can raise the volume in your software, but that also raises any background noise. It is better to re-record at a higher level. Aim for peaks around -6 dB on your meter.

How do I record two guitars at the same time?

You need two microphones and an audio interface with two inputs. Plug both microphones in, create two tracks in your software, and record both at once. Make sure each microphone is positioned correctly for its guitar and that the levels are balanced so one does not drown out the other.

Can I record acoustic guitar with a pickup instead of a microphone?

Yes. A pickup plugged into an audio interface records the guitar's electrical signal, not the sound of the room. This gives you a clean, isolated tone with no room noise, but it sounds less natural than a microphone. Many players use both — a microphone for the natural sound and a pickup as a backup or for blending.