1 or 2 mics for acoustic guitar

  • Thread starter Thread starter burndog
  • Start date Start date
B

burndog

New member
Hi, I am only a hobbyist and want to record acoustic and classical guitar. My budget is only $250. Am I better off with one condensor mic for $250 or 2 cheaper condensor mics for $125 each? I will likely buy the m-audio DMP3 preamp, and will be using the m-audio 2496 sound card. I should also mention that I will not have a very good space to record in, likely a smaller office or a medium sized TV room (carpeted)

I guess I should mention that I would be recording voice as well along with electric guitar. I will be buying an SM47 for the amplified guitar. Not quite sure what to use for voice (I do have a weak voice)

Any suggestions/recommendations? Any help would be appreciated...thanks so much in advance
 
If you buy one good condenser (NT-1, etc) you can use that for guitar and vocals both. The advantage of stereo recording is, you can put one mic on the bridge, on near the 12th fret, and pan them right and left. It's really a matter of opinion, if possible you should borrow/rent a couple of mics and see what sounds best to you. If that's not an option, I'd go with one good condenser.
 
What he /\/\/\ said.

I prefer a couple of SDC's at the 12th and the bridge but have some good recordings with an LDC.

:drunk:
 
I'm another who prefers two use 2 SDCs for recording...but that's a slight preference only and Saad is very right that single LDC will do a decent job and still be a great choice for your vocals too.

Bob
 
saads said:
If you buy one good condenser (NT-1, etc) you can use that for guitar and vocals both. The advantage of stereo recording is, you can put one mic on the bridge, on near the 12th fret, and pan them right and left. It's really a matter of opinion, if possible you should borrow/rent a couple of mics and see what sounds best to you. If that's not an option, I'd go with one good condenser.
Click to expand...

could not have said it better myself
 
I play and record flamenco guitar and since you are not involved with any big productions and it seems to me your only doing this by your self, I really advise you to find a descent room to record in and also try putting the mic right behind the right shoulder. you and the mic facing a empty corner of the room. The acoustics might bounce off giving a big sound. but as what was recently told to me.... USE YOUR EARS! Sounds simple but its easy to start looking for answers from others when the answer can be given if you just listen
 
Like shaved wolves......{that can vote}.

burndog said:
Hi, I am only a hobbyist and want to record acoustic and classical guitar. My budget is only $250.
Click to expand...
Given that I too am a hobbyist and a cheapskate to boot, I'd be more inclined to buy the two cheap condensers which can also double for vocal mikes and even be used to sometimes do the electric, in conjunction with the SM57 {I assume that's what you meant}. In fact, this is partly what I have done, I bought the T bone EM700 stereoset which are a couple of cheapo condensers. I use them for my acoustics {both singularly and in tandem}, vocals, drum overheads, acoustic bass guitar, mandolin, various percussion, electric guitars, clarinet, saxophones......I also use dynamics.
I'm of the opinion that one should start small and progress as you go. Know your limited equipment and as it becomes limiting for what you need, move'up'. If what I've read is correct, the spaces I record in are probably awful. But I haven't got good enough ears to know if that's true. It pretty much sounds OK to me !
The real issue is whether you are happy with what you create. So test the waters and see where you get to. I'm not dissing anyone's advice, I think it's important to have as much a range of opinion and experience as possibleto give you plenty stuff to consider as there are so many ways of getting to the same eventual destination.

So burn, dog ! BURN !!
 
grimtraveller said:
Given that I too am a hobbyist and a cheapskate to boot, I'd be more inclined to buy the two cheap condensers which can also double for vocal mikes and even be used to sometimes do the electric, in conjunction with the SM57 {I assume that's what you meant}. In fact, this is partly what I have done, I bought the T bone EM700 stereoset which are a couple of cheapo condensers. I use them for my acoustics {both singularly and in tandem}, vocals, drum overheads, acoustic bass guitar, mandolin, various percussion, electric guitars, clarinet, saxophones......I also use dynamics.
I'm of the opinion that one should start small and progress as you go. Know your limited equipment and as it becomes limiting for what you need, move'up'. If what I've read is correct, the spaces I record in are probably awful. But I haven't got good enough ears to know if that's true. It pretty much sounds OK to me !
The real issue is whether you are happy with what you create. So test the waters and see where you get to. I'm not dissing anyone's advice, I think it's important to have as much a range of opinion and experience as possibleto give you plenty stuff to consider as there are so many ways of getting to the same eventual destination.

So burn, dog ! BURN !!
Click to expand...


:laughings:

:drunk:

And I wholeheartedly agree (especially) on "one should start small and progress as you go. Know your limited equipment and as it becomes limiting for what you need, move'up' "
Get to know what you've got, inside n out (so to speak) before ya flash some cash just cuz you've got g.a.s....;)
 
thanks so much everyone for some good advice. I haven't decided for positive which route to take. I agree that I should start small and do some learning. I understand that how tools are used, are more important than which tools you have access to. I know the SM57 ( that's indeed what I meant grimtraveller...I was pretty tired this morning when I posted) is a done deal for micing an amp. I'll do some more research and likely get back with more questions...thanks!:)
 
Here's my two cents:

When I'm recording acoustic as part of a (rock) ensemble, I generally only use a single mic unless the acoustic appears by itself. Then I'll use a stereo pair. When part of an ensemble I'll also aggressively use a high pass filter. That way the shimmer is there, and the percussive nature of the instrument remains, but all the mids/lows are gone so they don't trample on the other instruments.

Solo acoustic guitar gets stereo treatment and much less in the way of EQ. Avoid pointing the mic at the sound hole. Try pointing it at the 12th fret. The entire guitar is generating the sound, so experimentation is key.

Hope this helps. Welcome to HR.
 
Supercreep said:
Here's my two cents:

When I'm recording acoustic as part of a (rock) ensemble, I generally only use a single mic unless the acoustic appears by itself. Then I'll use a stereo pair. When part of an ensemble I'll also aggressively use a high pass filter. That way the shimmer is there, and the percussive nature of the instrument remains, but all the mids/lows are gone so they don't trample on the other instruments.

Solo acoustic guitar gets stereo treatment and much less in the way of EQ. Avoid pointing the mic at the sound hole. Try pointing it at the 12th fret. The entire guitar is generating the sound, so experimentation is key.

Hope this helps. Welcome to HR.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top