How to Record Guitar and Vocals at the Same Time

To record guitar and vocals at the same time, use two microphones — one for each source — feeding two separate tracks on your audio interface. Position the mics to favour their own source and reject the other, and you’ll capture a natural live performance you can still balance in the mix.

Recording both at once preserves the feel of a live take, which many acoustic performances need. The trade-off is bleed — each mic picks up some of the other source — so the goal is to manage it, not eliminate it.

Use two mics and two tracks

When you record guitar and vocals at the same time, always use one mic per source recorded to its own channel. A two-input audio interface like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is the minimum. Pan and balance later only work if the sources are on separate tracks.

A common pairing is a large-diaphragm condenser on vocals and a small-diaphragm condenser on the acoustic guitar. If your room is lively or noisy, a dynamic mic on vocals (such as a Shure SM58 or SM7B) tightens things up and reduces bleed. Learn the difference in condenser vs dynamic microphones.

Mic placement to minimise bleed

The trick is using each mic’s polar pattern to reject the source it shouldn’t be capturing. Set both mics to cardioid, then aim them so the null (the rejection zone at the rear) points toward the other source:

• Vocal mic: at mouth height, angled so its back faces the guitar.
• Guitar mic: around the 12th–14th fret (not the soundhole, which booms), angled so its back faces your mouth.

Keep the mics roughly the same distance from their sources and as close as practical without crowding the performance. Understanding patterns helps a lot — see microphone polar patterns explained and our vocal mic placement guide.

Watch the 3:1 rule

To reduce phase problems and comb filtering, follow the 3:1 rule: the distance between the two mics should be at least three times the distance from each mic to its source. If the vocal mic is 8 inches from your mouth, keep the two mics at least 24 inches apart. This keeps each track sounding clear rather than hollow.

Set levels for both sources

Gain-stage each input separately. Perform at realistic volume and set each mic so peaks sit around -12 to -6 dBFS, leaving headroom. Vocals usually need more gain than a strummed acoustic, so don’t assume one setting fits both. Our gain staging guide covers this in depth. Monitor on headphones so you don’t add more bleed from speakers.

The bleed trade-off vs overdubbing

Recording together captures energy and timing that’s hard to fake. But bleed limits how aggressively you can process either track — heavy compression on the vocal will pull up the guitar leaking into it, and vice versa. If you need maximum control, record them separately by overdubbing one part over the other. For acoustic-specific tips either way, see how to record acoustic guitar and the wider recording techniques hub.

Mixing the result

In the mix, EQ each source to its own space — roll off low rumble on both, give the vocal a touch of presence, and tame any boxiness on the guitar. Keep processing gentle because of the bleed. Pan can stay fairly central for a solo performer, or you can widen the guitar slightly. The principles in recording vocals at home apply to the vocal track here too.

Frequently asked questions

Can I record guitar and vocals with one microphone?

You can, by placing a single mic between your mouth and the guitar, but you lose all independent control — you can’t adjust the guitar and vocal balance separately afterward. A single mic works for quick demos or a deliberately raw sound. For a mixable recording, use two mics on two tracks.

How do I stop the mics picking up each other?

Use cardioid mics and aim each one’s rear null at the source it shouldn’t capture, keep them close to their own source, and follow the 3:1 rule for spacing. You won’t eliminate bleed entirely, but careful placement reduces it enough to mix cleanly.

Is it better to record them separately?

Separately (overdubbing) gives you the most control and lets you process each track hard without affecting the other. Recording together captures a more natural, connected performance. Choose based on whether you value control or live feel more for that song.