Over the Right Shoulder??

[bbZ]

Can anyone illustrate the "over the right shoulder" mic placement technique for an acoustic guitar? Why not in front? Thanks.

[TexRoadkill]

The mic doesn't have to go over the shoulder but that is the easiest way to explain it's positioning. The idea is to get the mic a foot or so above the bridge at about the same area as your right ear. I usually end up putting the mic out in front about 6 inches.

Where you put the stand really doesn't matter as long as the mic gets into the right place. That is just one of the good micing spots. You can also mic at the 12th fret close to the neck or put the mic a few feet away. It just depends on if you want an 'in your face' picking sound or a smoother strummed sound, etc.

Most newbies stick a mic right up against the sound hole. The thing to realize is that a guitar generates a lot of overtones and to really capture them sometimes requires having the mic a few feet away. Most importantly stay away from the sound hole because it usually just gives you a boomy sound.