Recording Acoustic Guitars Like a Pro – Factory Floor Setup with Alberto Ziliotto! 🎸

We’re back with a different kind of episode today. This time, we’re taking things to the factory floor to set up and record guitars. It’s not just about plugging in and playing—there’s a whole process to getting the right sound, and today, we’re diving into it with Alberto.

Setting Up for the Perfect Guitar Recording

The goal? To position the mic and use headphones to hear how the guitars sound in an unfamiliar space. We’ve got an acoustic guitar, microphones, cables, recording devices, and, of course, monitoring equipment.

Alberto is using a pedalboard to create a stereo image. His setup includes piezo pickups and a microphone inside the guitar, with reverbs adding depth to the sound. The mic provides the main mono source, while the pedalboard shapes the stereo effect.

Crafting a Consistent Sound—At Home and Beyond

As a musician, Alberto wants his live sound to match what he hears in his home studio. That’s why he’s invested in compressors, reverbs, stereo imagers, and limiters to recreate his signature tone, no matter where he plays. When he’s at home, everything feels natural—his guitars, his space, his setup. But on the road, having a rig that makes things sound familiar is crucial.

Today, he’s brought along some analog gear—Heritage and IGS Audio—to help shape the sound. These preamps add warmth and a touch of compression, keeping peaks in check while boosting bass and harmonics.

A Guitarist’s Perspective on Monitoring

During live performances, Alberto typically monitors his playing through an amp rather than headphones. But in this setup, he’s testing how the mic captures his sound. Placement is key—depending on where the mic is positioned, different frequencies interact with the guitar. He also uses a notch filter to control unwanted resonance.

Exploring Lauten Audio Microphones

For this recording, we’re using a tube microphone from Lauten Audio. Their philosophy? Make mics that are performance-ready—plug in and go, no heavy EQ needed. The mic, designed primarily for vocals, works surprisingly well for acoustic guitar thanks to its warmth and harmonic richness.

The mic also features high-pass and low-pass filters. In this case, it’s set around 80Hz to shape the tonal balance before the signal heads to the recorder.

The Pedalboard—A One-Man Band Setup

Alberto’s pedalboard isn’t just for effects; it’s an entire performance tool. It includes:

• A virtual pedalboard (Fractal VP4) with EQ, compression, and stereo reverb, where an expression pedal controls the reverb mix

• A looper for layering soundscapes and intros/outros

• A Universal Audio Dream 65 for digital amp simulation

• A Hologram Microcosm for experimental looping and synth-like effects

• A passive DI box with impedance selection for balancing signals

This setup allows him to switch seamlessly between electric and acoustic guitars while keeping control over his tone.

Guitars That Stand Out

One of Alberto’s standout instruments is a baritone guitar from Walden. He initially discovered the brand while searching for an affordable yet high-quality baritone. After releasing videos featuring his guitar, Walden took notice and shared his work, sparking a collaboration.

His baritone guitar has an unconventional soundhole placement—closer to the player rather than the traditional position. The design enhances bass response and makes it easier to retrieve picks (a practical bonus!).

Fine-Tuning the Sound with Custom Modifications

Alberto prefers a mic-piezo blend for his playing style. While the factory setup included only a piezo pickup, he modified his guitar by adding a microphone inside. The result? A more natural and dynamic sound, perfect for his approach to live performance.

Wrapping Up—A Passion for Sound

This session was more than just a recording setup—it was an insight into the mind of a musician who values consistency, tone, and creative control. 

Alberto - thank you for allowing us into your world and sharing a glimpse of the passion that drives your work. 

Gear Setup

🎙️ Microphone:

• Lauten Audio LA320v2

🎸 Guitars:

• Walden G2070RCEh

• Walden B1e with custom Phantasma amplification by ACUS

🎚️ Pedalboard:

• Fractal VP4

• Hologram Microcosm

• Ditto Looper x4

• CANVA stereo D.I.

🎛️ Preamp:

• Heritage Audio Ha73jrII

🎚️ Compression:

• IGS Audio ONE LA 500 (Tube Compressor)