I am using a budget condenser microphone to record acoustic guitar. The microphone has a Cardoid pattern, and is pointing toward the end of the fingerboard (between the sound hole and where the neck joins the body). I find that I get a good acoustic tone, however the sensitivity of the microphone means that it also picks up the sound of my breathing. This can become noticeable when recording solo guitar pieces where there are no other instruments in the mix to mask the sound, particularly quieter finger style pieces. I don’t ever recall noticing this on professional recordings.
I do tend to look down at what I am playing and have tried a number of things to reduce the effect, for example: - placing a pop-shield between my face and the microphone - wearing a DIY face mask - holding my breath, doesn’t work so well for longer pieces
Am I just a heavy breather, being too much of a perfectionist or are there some ‘studio tricks’ that people use to minimise breathing sound when recording quieter acoustic instruments?