Acoustic Guitar Mics

  • Thread starter Thread starter lppier
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lppier

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Hiya,

I'd like to record some acoustic guitar fingerstyle playing with tapping. Aka Don Ross, Michael Hedges, etc.

What kind of mics do you recommend. Nothing too expensive please.
I already have a AT4040 and it's great for vocals. Looking to add one more to the collection so that I can get a fuller sound.

Thanks.
 
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What's too expensive?

Are you looking to add one to your 4040 or get a pair?

I like the detail I get from a decent small diaphragm condensor. I like my Rode NT5s, and before them I did alright with a pair of MXL 993's.

I can't honestly say I've ever mixed a small with a large (or medium--what's the 4040?) though.

Hmm...homework for me.
 
Well like I said, I really like my Rode NT5's in the "sorta budget" range. But they're almost always sold in pairs. There's a couple pairs on eBay right now--$300 & $250.

The problem with buying a single SDC is that if you love it--you're gonna wish you'd bought a matched pair. (Though I got by for a long time with a pair of 993s that weren't matched. They were close enough).

MXL 604's go for $100 new. I've also worked with them (the older version--603) and with a decent guitar they deliver for the bucks. Not the most familiar with them though, so maybe someone else will chime in here.
 
What a coincidence...someone here on the board is selling a matched pair of NT5s for $250. No--it's not me. I don't even know him. Just saw the listing. (I got mine from someone here as well--and I'm not parting with them). Anyway, I know it's more than your $150 budget, but I thought I'd point it out to you:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=264491
 
I didn't go to their product page, maybe you can find some more info or reivews there, anyway hope that helps.
 
rightroad1 said:
Hey lppier, if you want to try some cheap ones I know a deal on the GHS pro acoustic soundhole microphone with volume control for $80, it is said to be a very good choice for acoustic guitar preserves tone while amplifying the natural ambiance of the guitar. I just don't have any experience with that but personally it looks pretty nice.
Click to expand...

That's designed for live amplification (and may be great at that)--but not for recording. Won't be nearly as effective a even a fairly decent mic placed in front of the guitar.
 
Thinking of getting just one MXL604 to complement my AT4040 for miking my acoustic - my acoustic is quite boomy.
 
lppier said:
Thinking of getting just one MXL604 to complement my AT4040 for miking my acoustic - my acoustic is quite boomy.
Click to expand...

A lot of that boominess can be managed by mic placement (not all, but a lot). Obviously, try to avoid directly micing the soundhole of you've got a boomy guitar. Different angles around & approaching the soundhole can work better. But too far removed from the soundhole and you lose the life of the guitar--it's definitely a potential compromise.

My sweet spot (for one mic, I usually use two as well) is about the 12th fret, about 1 ft away from the guitar.
 
yes - 2 Naiant X-Qs - I just got a pair and I love'em -- these are sdc omnis.

I've posted a couple of tracks in the mp3 mixing clinic using them -- one of the tracks is boomy, because I had one of them roughly over the soundhole on my boomsome dreadnought. But they sound very good.
 
Gorty said:
The Naiants can't be beaten for price and performance.
Click to expand...

You'd be a goof to get anything else first, you don't wanna be a goof do ya? Try 'em, you lose very little if they don't work out and if you can't get a usable track from a Naiant, you probably won't get one from an SM81
 
I've tried several positions, but can't really tame the boominess. I think it's my guitar - it sounds good but it's a medium jumbo. Will getting a SDC solve my problem?

Thanks.

WhiteStrat said:
A lot of that boominess can be managed by mic placement (not all, but a lot). Obviously, try to avoid directly micing the soundhole of you've got a boomy guitar. Different angles around & approaching the soundhole can work better. But too far removed from the soundhole and you lose the life of the guitar--it's definitely a potential compromise.

My sweet spot (for one mic, I usually use two as well) is about the 12th fret, about 1 ft away from the guitar.
Click to expand...
 
lppier said:
I've tried several positions, but can't really tame the boominess. I think it's my guitar - it sounds good but it's a medium jumbo. Will getting a SDC solve my problem?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

It should help some. You're usually going to get less boom with an SDC.
 
i´ve 2 Neumann km 54 aC´s
that´s way the best shit on accoustic guitar. unfortunately those beauties cost a hell lot. but once you´ve got one, there won´t be anythin´ that can comete with them. i promise,
cheers
 
RockOrDie said:
i´ve 2 Neumann km 54 aC´s
that´s way the best shit on accoustic guitar. unfortunately those beauties cost a hell lot. but once you´ve got one, there won´t be anythin´ that can comete with them. i promise,
cheers
Click to expand...

the same on overheads by the way
 
lppier said:
I've tried several positions, but can't really tame the boominess. I think it's my guitar - it sounds good but it's a medium jumbo. Will getting a SDC solve my problem?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Try backing the mic up to 18" - 24" pointed at the neck joint or 12th fret.
 
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