Hi folks,
I’d like to improve on the recording and mixing quality for acoustic guitar. I’m going to use an XY pattern for recording and generate two tracks for editing. I’m working with Cubase 15, a 4x4 Motu AI, 2 Samson CO2 Condenser mics and a PC environment.
When it comes to mixing, what Cubase tools do you use and in what sequence? Do you have any favourite levels or settings that give your sound a nice lift to it?
Many thanks for feedback!
Edit: welcome to the forum!
Acoustic guitar is so diverse and variable sounding, plus recording it, especially yourself, is really finicky, small movements while recording can change your sound for better or worse, plus of course the room sound… and then it depends very much of the musical context. Stereo mic (XY or M/S) might be fine for sparse arrangements or solo work, but for say a band arrangement I would record mostly with one mic.
Oh, and strummed, fingerpicked, flatpicked? What type of acoustic guitar?
Unless all of that is known, I don’t think I can give better tips than:
equalize and/or compress if necessary, add reverb to taste. 
Thanks fese!
Good questions. It will vary and for starters, let’s say hybrid with a medium thick pick.
The acoustic is a Seagull Coastline.
I have to say, I just watched this video and it’s fantastic - Search Paul Davids, ‘Record Guitar like a pro’. He walks through a number of different tricks and settings and I’ll be practicing with this setup.
“practice” is the key word here 
Takes a lot of experience to make good acoustic guitar recordings, and I don’t claim to be an expert at all…
One tip that is maybe not universal, but helps quite often in my experience, is to carefully reduce out frequencies around 200Hz with an EQ, as acoutic guitars tend to be boomy around there. If in a band context, maybe also frequencies around 100Hz, or a low shelf. But too much, and it can sound thin. Which, if you want a brilliant, percussive strummed guitar sound, might actually be fine again. Context is key!
What @fese said.
It’s a lot about practice and experience. I would start with single micing and see how the position changes the sound before going over to stereo micing. The choice of mic and preamp will also define the sound. Same applies for the choice of compressor and EQ - the author of the video got that one definitely wrong.
After all, it’s not rocket science. Just do whatever sounds right and listen to other recordings. The most important part is the performance.
Didn’t watch the video, but I agree about the microphone, can make a big difference. preamps not so much, I think any modern audio interface preamp can do a good job and will not be the deciding factor.
I would even say that you can get decent results with any microphones, just that it can be more difficult with one than the other. Same with EQ/compressor.
Well, thanks for reminding me 
. Yep, usually the chain from most important to least important goes like this:
performance → room → microphone → processors → preamp → whatever.
room is critical, too. I recently moved flats, and my new rooms have rather high ceilings and are as of now pretty reflective. too reflective for recording, actually. Still not sure how much I can do about it, being a rented flat…
Here, the choice of preamp/eq/compressor have a huge impact as well. Going through a dedicated preamp like a Neve 1073 gives me a very different result than going through an API or an audiointerface.
But I am not going to split hairs
About your new flat/room: I would not only experiment with the distance of the mics but alsowith the distance of the wall in your back as well as mobile absorbers.
Yes, I have one mobile absorber which when positioned correctly helps a bit. I still might need to look into some more acoustic treatment in the long run, if I decide to stay here.