monoe said:
I need some advice i play a button accordion my brother plays a 12 string acoustic guitar and we both sing but i dont know what mic's i should get.
I have about $200 to spend for now. what we want to record is kinda folk norteÑo music I have been reading this page for a while but have found nothing for an accordion please help me. i just bought a m audio io studio with a delta 66 soundcard and it has 2 preamps built in and delivers phantom power so id like to put them to use. thank you
button accordion
12 string guitar
2 vocals and 1 electric bass
My son plays the button accordeon as well. When you mic it, you need to back up from the instrument a bit as the player tends to move around (as needed when getting air into the instrument). Also, the sound seems to come from two places (left and right side).
I ended up using a stereo-mic setup. Probably the best setup is some feets in front of the instrument, with one mic pointed at the left side and one at the right side. It helps to have a nice sounding room also, since you need the room to balance the sound.
You can probably use many mics for an accordeon, but maybe a pair of small diaphragm mics (MXL603, Røde NT5, Oktava MC012, SP C4) would work well. That would be my first pick.
This would also work for your guitar, I assume -- but it is not the best for vocals.
You might also have good luck with one or a pair of SP B1, which would work better for vocals. Or maybe one or a pair of MXL V67 would work as well.
You don't need to record stereo, obviously, so one mic might do. If so, then another option is to get one (slight better/a step up from the B1 or V67), such as an ADK Hamburg or
a CAD M177/M179 -- the latter are pretty uncoloured, although the Hamburg may be a nicer vocal mic.
With bit of luck you could get a pair of MC012 and a V67, all for 200 USD. That should get you a long way with both vocals, guitar and vocals.
Oh... and the bass you should just record straight into your soundcard, but add some compressor afterwards. That's probably the best sound you can get with your equipment.
-- Per.
P.S. If you search here for "accordeon" then you might also get a few more hits.
