Mic-ing Acoustic Guitar

[Average Joe]

I've been having issues with mic-ing acoustic guitar. My microphone won't pick up sound very well when it comes from my acoustic for some reason. To compensate for this, I have to use the Mic Boost setting on my computer, which adds a lot of "ksshhhh!!!" in the background. is there any way I can get it to pick up more sound?

[angelicrock]

My guess without knowing what mic you have or what software you use is that you need a better mic. It could be a number of things though. My second guess would be your sound card. I would suggest purchasing a cheap Audio Interface or maybe a mixer.

Could also be the software or driver you are using. Hard to tell without more information.

[Average Joe]

Oh, sorry. Im using a cheap Radio Shack microphone (probably my problem), Audacity to record and edit, and I'm not too sure about any specs on my sound card.

[angelicrock]

I would say there is a 60%/40% chance it's the mic over the sound card. Though you may want to trouble shoot where the mic is aimed at the guitar. Some mics have a really nice range and can be anywhere from directly at the hole in the acoustic to 150% away from the hole and still get nice sound. Try different angles on the acoustic and you may find a quick (and economic) fix. If that doesnt work try a new mic.

[Average Joe]

Thanks. I usually place it pointed at the bridge. It gives a good bright tone and it picks up more of the guitar than at the twelfth fret. I'm saving for a new electric guitar right now, but a new mic is coming after that. Luckily, when I record electric I can turn mic boost off and just turn the guitar volume up so i get a really clean recording.

[custom24]

It's definitely your mic. Even my old 486 with 8mb of ram and windows 3.11 would record fine with one of the first sound cards. It's just down to the quality of the microphone. With super high end equipment, the sound card will start to matter, but it's more for how many tracks it can record on at a time I think, and the frequency.

[Average Joe]

Yeah, you're right. Im not really getting in to high end stuff. I just need something to practice with and occasionally put something on the internet.