Mics I'm Totally Spoilt For Choice.

Vikki

New member
Well i've got to admit its become a nightmare trying to decide which mic to buy for recording acoustic guitar.
I know its horses for courses and each michas its own voice.
First i thought about the c4's..then someone said they were brittle and rough.
Next i decided to go with the SE Electronics...then someone said the mic diaphram was not glued so in a few months it wouldn't sound how it sounds now.
O.K i'll pay a bit more money then Neumann TLM 103....someone said it was a very dark mic and did not bring out the high end detail.
OK Neumann KM184 no, no way too bright.
Marshall 603 o'k but harsh.
Oktava MC 012 reports favourable...can't pick em up in uk.
Help Please. ADK is next in my thoughts they seem to get good press, any experience with these anyone?
Vikki(uk)
 
I honestly don't think the C4's are too brittle or rough, infact I would describe the sound as quite smooth (some don't like them because they aren't "twangy" enough). I love the sound I got with them.
 
Vikki, you've done a fair amount of research, but you seem to be looking for unanimous opinion. If you are, you won't find one. Every mic has somebody that doesn't like it. All you can do is listen to the mic, or listen to recordings made with the mic, or listen to the people you've learned to trust. There are more ways to mic up an acoustic than there are ways to cook a potato. The most favorite ways seem to include one or two large diaphragm condensers, one or two small diaphragms, or one of each.
You've mentioned some very good mics. For SD's, I like AKG C2000B for cheap. The C-4's I like a lot, especially at their price point. I own a pair of KM184's and they are excellent mics. As the guy said, they are bright, and that's often desireable on an acoustic. For a highly respected alternative, consider Josephson C-42's. They're about $1000 a pair in the U.S. Schoeps builds some of the finest guitar mics, but you may have to sell your first born to buy one. AKG C451 is an excellent mid-priced alternative. Just to make sure nothing's unanimous, I don't like the Oktavas on acoustic, but many others do.
For large diaphragms, which I use on acoustic more often than not- Studio Projects B-1 and CAD M-179 (which I have not used) are popular. AKG C414B-ULS is a favorite of mine. The TLM103 you mentioned is very good. Shure KSM44 is a very good choice. I recorded virtually all the acoustic guitar on my album, which is basically acoustic, with one AKG C414 and a pair of C-4's.
My advice- don't wait for a unanimous vote. Get mics that most people believe are good for *something*, even if it isn't their first choice for acoustic. Best overall bang for Euro? I'd probably get one AKG C2000B (NOT 3000B) and a pair of C-4's. That allows for a bit of mixing and matching. For a bit more money, I'd replace the 2000B with a C414 (any model). More money-C-4's replaced by Josephson C-42, keep the C414. Top of the line (you rich bitch)- Vintage Neumann U87 and a pair of Schoeps CMC 64's with MK4 cardioid capsules. And I assure you, you'll find someone who doesn't like those mics. Send him to an ear specialist.-Richie
 
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hi,

I use a MXL microphone called the V69. It's so sweet! It's one of those mic's that doesn't need a whole lot of EQ and seems to capture every nuance.

I'm pretty dynamic, so every once in a while I'll use a dynamic microphone(no pun lol) such as the 421 or SM57 types.

Of course your sound is going to depend largely on what your running your signal chain into. So make sure you've got some pretty good pre-amps. All those microphones you mentioned are pretty good (although the Neumann's are WAY out of my budget!) Just remember: If you get harshness/proximity etc..., it can all be fixed by better microphone placement and EQ processing.

are you recording onto analog or digital?
 
Vikki said:
OK Neumann KM184 no, no way too bright.
Vikki(uk)
The KM184 bright? That's not my experience, and in fact this mic is known to be as flat as a mic can be. Its my main weapon of choice for recording instruments. You should get excellent results recording acoustic guitar.
 
Well, Giganova, as an owner of a pair of KM 184's, I have to respectfully disagree with the idea that they are flat. The high end detail is striking, and some people would call them hyped. We agree on one thing though, they are perfectly good guitar mics.-Richie
 
I didn't know that some consider the KM184 hyped in the highs. Interesting, especially when you look at the frequency plot -- there isn't really a peak there. Maybe I have to get my ears re-calibrated :rolleyes: Thanks for correctting me!
 
Thanks for the replies, just wondered if anyone had been down the ADK mic line some don't look bad value for money.
Vikki(uk)
 
Vikki said:
Thanks for the replies, just wondered if anyone had been down the ADK mic line some don't look bad value for money.
Vikki(uk)

Regarding ADK, some of the large diaphragm models are nice, some are OK. The small diaphragm (SC-1 and SC-2) are nothing special. For acoustic guitar, I'd stay away from the Chinese small diaphragm mics, which includes ADK, Studio Projects, Rode, Marshall, SE and Cascade.

Consider the Microtech Gefell M300. Midpriced. I like it much better than the Nuemann KM184 or the Josephson C42. Also, you might want to check out T.H.E. I havn't heard them, but Harvey Gerst compared the T.H.E. (with cardiod cap) to a Schoeps, and said they compared favorably. "Close" was the word he used.
 
sdelsolray said:
Also, you might want to check out T.H.E. I havn't heard them, but Harvey Gerst compared the T.H.E. (with cardiod cap) to a Schoeps, and said they compared favorably. "Close" was the word he used.
It was the "closest sound" (out of all the mics I had) to the Shoeps CMC6 with the MK41 capsule, but the Shoeps was the clear winner for recording acoustic guitar.
 
Well i've pondered over the last couple of days and really wanted to get on with recording some fingerpicking type guitar tracks. The Audio Technica range of mics don't look too bad for the money, i'm not saying they are the top of the tree but i thought something in the 40 series 4033 4041 4040 might be suitable, any ideas, something that may be used on female vocals would be a bonus.
Many Thanks For Your Help And Answers
Vikki(uk)
 
Richard and everyone else who offered advice,thank you. Here's a good one, i was pricing the AT 4060 valve mic and the price in the uk is around 3000 american dollars, i notice you can buy them in the u.s for around 1000 dollars. Must be a special edition one for the u.k!
Thanks again
Vikki(uk)
 
Well the jury is back in and the decision is.....
AKG C451b
AKG C414b uls
Should i get something out of that pair for acoustic fingerpicking and female vocals? If i'm wrong stop me quick, its a bit more than i wanted to spend but i'll push the boat out!
Vikki(uk)
 
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