Acoustic and Electric

[Walking-Lucid]

What mics in your opinion do a good job of recording both electric(heavy distortion), and acoustic guitar? I have an SM57 for electric and moderate vocals but it does not really record acoustic guitar to the clearity that I want it to be. Any of them do a good job with horns as well? kinda newbish

 

[mrbowes]

Use the SM57 for the heavy distortion, and buy something like an oktava mc012, audio technica at4041, or shure sm81 SDC for acoustic.

Something versatile like the multipattern CAD M179 might work well for both applications, but I could be wrong as I have never tried that mic on acoustic guitar.

You're generally going to be best buying dedicated mics. Just save your money and buy these things as you can afford them. Chances are if you settle for something that does both marginally well, then you will likely want to sell it in the near future.

 

[reshp1]

what kind of budget are you looking at? Why do you need a mic that can do both, are you planning on getting rid of the SM57 for the new mic? IMO, the two sources are almost mutually exclusive, a mic that will bring out the jingle and shimmer on an acoustic will make a heavy distortion guitar sound fizzy.

 

[emergencyexit]

I've only recorded sax once and trumpet once. Did both with a 57 because of lack of condensers at that point (band wanted to record live and my sdcs were taken up on drums). The 57 worked great on sax and died for EQ ok trumpet. If I was gonna go back and record again I'd definatly use my KSM27 that I now have. I've tried 57 on acoustic, I can't say this is bad because nothing is really bad. Its different though than most of what you hear in recordings today. Its deap, Its got punch and low end, and its got a lack of presence. It doesn't pick up the parts of the guitar sound that most feel is "Good". My MXLs, which I now hate as drum overheads because of their exsesive high end, happen to sound great on acoustic. they are about $100 I believe, and I know a Guitar Center will give it to you for that.

Ben

 

[Kansnatchas]

I bought a pair of Studio Projects B3's. I've used them on accoustic/electric guitar, upright bass, overheads, the list goes on. Great mics for the price, check 'em out

 

[jkokura]

what kind of budget are you looking at? Why do you need a mic that can do both, are you planning on getting rid of the SM57 for the new mic? IMO, the two sources are almost mutually exclusive, a mic that will bring out the jingle and shimmer on an acoustic will make a heavy distortion guitar sound fizzy.

Gotta say I believe this is true as well...If you've got a 57, try a SP B1 on your acoustic

Jacob

 

[Walking-Lucid]

Thanks for all the input guys, Ill check it out.


(my 57 is kinda on the fritz, thats why Im asking about a mic that can do both)

 

[chessrock]

That's a really tough one, and I wouldn't necessarily bank on one particular mic being able to do both well (distorted electric and accoustic). What works really well on one isn't necessarily going to work well on the other.

That said, if I was forced to pick just one, then I might go with a Groove Tubes GT-44.
.

 

[scrubs]

AKG C414 would be an option.