Pick the right microphone. Mandolins produce many high frequencies and are sometimes played very fast. It needs a microphone that can properly capture these sounds. Condenser microphones are ideal as their frequency response rate captures fast playing, and are very sensitive to high-pitched sounds.
Mount the microphone on its stand and position it approximately 8 to 10 inches from the mandolin. Experiment to find the proper sound and tone you desire for your recording.
Place a pop screen over your microphone. This is a piece of foam that fits tightly over the microphone head to slightly decrease the sensitivity. This lessens the potential for pops and distortion to come out on your recording due to the condenser microphone's sensitivity.
Equalize the mandolin signal on your recording console or computer recording program. This zeros in on the desired frequencies coming from your mandolin above at the 6000 Hz (hertz) range. It also captures the mandolin's bright sound while cutting the undesired low frequencies that exist under 300 Hz.
Pan the mandolin track either left or right to define its place in the mix. This helps it stand out among the other louder instruments in the mix that may overwhelm its thinner, high-pitched sound.