If you had $1000.00 to buy a Mic...what would you buy to record acoustic guitar?

[ajgrossman]

I own a Taylor 814ce acoustic guitar. I have a Shure SM81 condenser Mic that sounds pretty good when used pointed around the 12th fret. I want another Mic to complement it.

If you had $1000.00 to spend on another Mic for this instrument, what you buy and why?

I use a DAW with dbx 386 and Joemeek VC6Q mic preamps.

[Dolemite]

I would look into either a Marshall MXL-603S or an Electro-Voice 635A and then take the remaining $930 or so and take a nice vacation.

[Wallycleaver]

You could get a neumann tl103, or a B.L.U.E. mic. I belive the dragon fly is less than a grand.

[Tom Cram]

Just get another SM81? If you like how it sounds, get another. Having a stereo pair of mics really opens up your recording options.

However, if you are determined to get a $1000 mic I would look for one that is versatile (multiple patterns) mid to large diaphragm, maybe a little colored in tone. In other words, something very different from the mic you have now. This will give you a wider palette to choose from. Far be it from me to discourage you from buying more gear but, don't forget your mic technique. I bet you can get more sounds than you realize with the mic and gear you have now.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

[VOXVENDOR]

Your almost a senior here and still don't have an avatar... what gives?......And wheres that $6000 of free dbx equipment you promised me....?????? (just kidding).....

I would buy 2 AT 4033's... Cheap, and awesomely clear and crisp mics...........($399 US ea)

Edited for massive spelling error!.. (I spelled Clear.. Slear)....

[tubedude]

I think if I was gonna buy two mics, I'd buy two Rode NT1000's, NTK's, or two Shure Ksm-44's (I beleive the ksm-44 are the $500 range ones). Or another matching Shure AND an Nt1000 or NTK. OR a matching Shure mic and an excellent quality used dual pre-amp. That last one might be the smartest move. Besides the vacation, that is.
Paul

[Tom Cram]

Voxvendor, I can't decide what I want as an avatar, option anxiety I suppose (or maybe I'm just perverse). And that $6000 of dbx gear? It's in the mail cowboy

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

[ADS]

A good set of microphones for an acoustic guitar is the earthworks TC30K. They are small Omni directional condensers with a great frequency response. They are great on anything Acoustic (Guitar, Grand Piano, and Drum overheads). You can buy a matched pair for about $900.00. When you buy a matched pair they are acutely frequency matched not serial number matched. For the price and the sound quality I think they are a great buy.
Good Luck
Andy

[Tom Cram]

cold one?

[VOXVENDOR]

Only if it's Molson Canadian...... what American's call beer, tastes like expensive water to us.......

[The Axis]

I bought a matched pair of Earthworks QTC1s.
(Actually, only $1500 for the two. Blems from the website.)

As I have stated in other posts, lots of mikes sound "good". The QTC1s sound exactly like the original sound sounded.

All of the Earthworks mikes are simply superior in accuracy. Definitely check them out !


Peace,
Rick

[Blue Esq]

I have a set of 4033s, and they're pretty good. Not overly warm, though. But deep and detailed.

I also have a Neumann 184, which is a bit better than the 4033s. It's warm, and captures my acoustic beautifully - think Nick Drake acoustic sound....

With your budget, I might be tempted to go for a set of 184s (at musicians-gear.com they're just over $400 each). I might also think about a TLM103 (just over $500 at musicians-gear) and a 184. You'd get a large d condenser and a small d condenser, so that might be a slightly more flexible setup for you in the long run.

There's a lot of choices, and the answer will depend on what you have and what you want to do in the future....

[Jonkan]

I say, If you can find two used Neumann km84 in good condition, grab them... They sound great on about everything Love those puppies on ac.guitars
Though, my father says he has some B&K microphones which are supposed to sound even better on ac.guitars, I´ll have to try them someday

[ajgrossman]

Thank you all for your help and opinions.

I picked up a BLUE Dragonfly yesterday along with their Cranberry cable. OH MY GOD!! This is the best mic'd sound I have heard to date from my Taylor yet.

I placed the mic about 12" from the guitar per the recommendations from a MIX article on this mic and it sounds incredible.

[Nashstudio]

AKG 414 the old one ;-)