Setup for micing a room??? Acoustic/Vocal

[WinstonCowboy]

Hey Yall,

What is a good 1 or 2 microphone setup (mic models?) for micing an acoustic guitar and vocal at the same time. I would like to lay down some simple demo tracks....and I want to be able to record git and vocs at the same time.

Thanks,

WINSTON

[Han]

I happen to have had a session last saturday with a guitarist and a vocalist.

The guitarist was sitting in the middle of the room (90m2) with a DIN pair of SDC's (C451/CK1) at some 1.5' from the guitar.

The vocalist was standing opposite of the guitarist at some 8' and he was singing in a Neumann M149 in cardioid.

I had put a gobo between them, close to the guitar mics.

Nothing wrong with the sound.

In case you have to record a guitarist who sings at the same time, you have another problem, please let us know.

[notbradsohner]

i have that problem

[WinstonCowboy]

Hey Han,

Thanks for replying. Sorry for the confusion, but, I am talking about just one person who is playing guitar and singing...not 2 people.

And, my budget is about $200 tops...so try to keep the mics in that range.

Thanks,

WINSTON

[Han]

Some 'engineers' think that recording guitar/vocals is easy, it aint!

The problem is not the bleed of the guitar into the vocal mic, but the bleed of the vocal into the guitar mic(s).

Many engineers will use a SDC on the 12th fret of the guitar and add some hi eq.

The vocal bleed can sound horrible on an AKG C451, while the guitar sounds awesome.

The most clever solution for the problem was on another forum a while ago: this guy puts a figure 8 mic on guitar and points the side of the mic to the singer's nose.

A figure 8 mic is completely deaf on it's side, you get the message don't you?

[Han]

Originally posted by WinstonCowboy
Hey Han,

Thanks for replying. Sorry for the confusion, but, I am talking about just one person who is playing guitar and singing...not 2 people.

And, my budget is about $200 tops...so try to keep the mics in that range.

Thanks,

WINSTON

Winston, the cheapest fig 8 mic is the SP B3 (I think) and there are lots of decent vocal mics in the $80-100 range.

Do you have a microphone already?

[WinstonCowboy]

I have a Shure SM58...but what is a good mic for my acoustic?

Can you post a link for these Fig. 8 mics you're talking about?


WINSTON

[Han]

http://www.studioprojectsusa.com/b3.html

http://shop.mobro.net/browse.cfm/4,5818.html

[WinstonCowboy]

You recommend those mics for both vocals and acoustic guitar?

What kind of mic placement would you suggest for recording the guitar and vocs? (one person)

Thanks Han

[Han]

That's what I said a few posts back.

Use the SM58 on vocals and the B3 (in fig8 pattern) near the 12th fret of the acoustic guitar, point the side of the mic to the singers nose.

You will hear almost no vocals on the guitar track.

[WinstonCowboy]

I have been reading up on the reviews for all the 'Studio Projects' microphones. I think I want to sell the Shure SM58 and get a pair of SP mics.

What is the major differences between the B1, B3, C1. What would be the best combo for vocs/gits?


WINSTON

[Han]

Winston, search this forum for SP mics and you will find tons of info. SP mics have been discussed a thousand times here.

[WinstonCowboy]

Thanks for all the help Han...I always do searches before asking questions...both on yahoo and here...Sometimes it's just hard to find direct answers to your questions. i.e. what are the major differences between B1, B3, C1?

I have checked a bunch of spec pages for each of them. They all look different..and the B3 has the switch where you can change between - omni, cardioid, figure eight - however, aren't they basically the same mic? I mean, if the C1 had the switch and the B1, B3 didn't...then I wouldn't be as confused about the pricing (C1 being the most expensive)

To me, It looks like the B3 is the most versatile microphone out of the 3... yet is priced in the middle.

I assume that when a manufacturer has products like these so closely priced...that the only difference will be the features...i.e. most features/highest priced. Yet, the B3 appears to have the most. Can you see why I am confused?


WINSTON


P.S. Here is a simple little guide to microphones I came across while searching. Newbies might find it helpful:

http://rvcc2.raritanval.edu/azie3298/pro3/mics.htm