Acoustic Guitar Studio Mics. Revisited

[007]

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie here and just took a lengthy trip into the past posts. I see alot of us are in the same boat, re: acoustic mics questions. It sounds like many of you are skilled at choosing mics. and your opinions to my questions will make an impact on my mic. choice.

Here is my setup and project in a nutshell:

I am recording a CD on a Boss 1180-CD.
I'm using two acousitcs
1. Taylor 614ce (spruce/maple)
2. Martin D-41 (srpuce / roosewood)
Both models are less than 5 yrs. old

I need help deciding on a small condenser mic. for the guitars. Perhaps a Shure SM81?

For vocie I'm looking into a Neumann TLM 103 or something similar by Audio-Technica. Any suggestions here would be great as well.

My songs tend to be upbeat and lively. I play alot in bars and coffee houses.
I love the sounds most newer acoustic artists like John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Ani Difranco, new stuff by Neil Young, etc. get on their CDs.
I'm not looking to emulate their sound but want to give you some idea of what I'm into.

Any and all suggestions will help!!

[Ted]

A lot depends on how much you're willing to spend...you'd mentioned a Shure SM81, which is undoubtedly one of the industry standard acoustic guitar microphones. However, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best...in that same price range, you may want to look at the Røde NT5's, which come as a matched stereo pair for about the same price as the SM81. They're pretty new, so I'm not sure how much feedback you'll find on them out there, but they are great microphones.

If you're just looking for one microphone, and are willing to spend a little more, any of several models from Earthworks (specifically the TC30K or SR77), AKG (C451B or C480) or Neumann (KM184 or KM183) would do as well...

-Ted

[michaelhoddy]

And don't forget the Audio-Technica 40-series small diaphragm condensers. A lot of people like the 4041 more than the SM81. My current acoustic guitar standard miking technique is an Audio-Technica 4033 on the sound hole at about a 45-degree angle about 10" or so away, depending on the desired proximity effect, and either a KM84 or SM81 at the 12th fret pointing down the neck. Both running through a Buzz MA 2.2 preamp.

Just push the faders up. No EQ necessary.

[donbright]

I record my 000 EC Martin with the AT 4033SE at the neck position and with the Royer 121 ribbon mike at sound hole. I play with the proximity depending on whether I am finger picking or flat picking. This setup really produces a fat acoustic sound that blows me away on playback. I have a 1942 Gibson archtop that is set up with light strings. I use the exact opposite mike placement due to the punch in the midrange and the natural bass rolloff the guitar produces. I have a friend that is raving about the AKG c414 . Might give it a listen also. A good pre amp is also important no matter what mike you find.

[Ed Belknap]

I had the mind-bogglingly rewarding experience of recording acoustic guitar with a T.H.E. KA04 modular condenser using the subcardioid capsule (forget the model#...KR2W maybe? it's a 1/2" diaphragm with a smooth but overt rise in the high end and *zero* proximity effect.) Unbelievable sound. Crisp without being harsh or tizzy, incredible articulation and remarkable pitch-discrimination in the midrange...even in a dense mix you could make out every note of full chords, yet the low end was controlled and the top end was crystalline. Better than accurate; it was more of an "ideal" representation of that guitar.

Now I jus' gots ta get me one of those mics!

[Hynek]

I'm with you, Ted.
I personally use a C480+CK61 (or 62), C535 and C4000B in omni for acoustic guitars. On guitar I didn't like C451B which I suprisingly liked on some vocals.
If I should pick up just one I'd go for the C535EB. I've been using this mic for some years now and it still strikes me how incredibly versatile a mic it is for the money (it comes for less than the price of a Beta87).

Hynek

[joeray]

Hello My Friend,
I have a stable of Martin D-35 to45's. In all but the D-45 Brazilian, I just had installed the new Baggs I-BEAM pickup. It is as close to playing into a Neumann as I can remember. Clean, no feedback andfull sound. Mine is passive as I play in phantom power mixers. Jackson Browne helped invent this baby and I am blown away by it. Try it. No need to cut into your guitar either. Good Luck, Joe Ray :cool:

[Petimar]

For me theres nothing like a Neumann KM84, although the 184 works pretty well too.

Pete

[JahBless]

Hi guys. Has anyone tried the Studio Projects C1 or C3 for recording acoustic guitar. Some adviced me to get the C3 and I can use it for vocals and my guitar, anyone tried it yet. Is the C3 better than the C1?

[Petimar]

I own a C1, but don't find it useful for the accoustic guitar sound I want (YMMV). Too bright in the high end for me.

As my own recording is instrumental music, I haven't used it for vocals, but on the right singer, I'll bet it would be great.

Pete

[Ted]

The C3's not necessarily better than the C1...it's basically a multipattern version of the C1, so it's a little more flexible.

-Ted

[baksis]

i got great results with rode nt3 (12 fret position pointed to the soundhole). you might want to check it out, it's cheap too.

[xstatic]

I love my c451's. Have bothe the reissue and the originals:) However, the extremly cheap Oktave mk012 sounds incredibly good too, espevcially for $99 a whack:)