Acoustic guitar recording: Pair of SP B1's or Marshall 603's?

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H2oskiphil

H2oskiphil

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I've got a sequential pair of ADK A-51's and an SP C-1 for LD condensers. I've got 2 SM57's enroute for cab and GP (general purpose) mics. I want to get a pair of something to record acoustic instruments, specifically acoustic guitars and various types of percussion. I'm OK with the ADK's on acoustic guitar, but not thrilled. I will probably also be using these mics for brass and woodwinds (occasionally), along with the stuff I already have (or have coming...).

I have NO experience with either mic. Do I go SD condenser (meaning the Marshalls) or a different flavor of LD (meaning the B1's)? Am I overlooking a mic I SHOULD be considering (Oktava MK012 or some other LD)? I want to keep the purchase price around $80-$100/each...
 
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Well Musicians friend has 2 Octava's on sale for $199 right now...so I would say go for that. They give you the most flexibility from the 3 capsules. Otherwise I say go with the marshalls. Click on the link below and you can hear a recording done with 2 mxl 603's. It is a V67 on the voice. I think you'll hear how good these marshalls are. The guitar was a low end Ibanez, so that explains its tone. Other than that though, I think it is a pretty good guitar sound.



Beezoboy
 
In the past, the Oktavas GC has sold for the price of two for $199 have come with the cardioid capsule only. And then there's the quality control issue with GC Oktavas.

Personally, I'd go with two Marshall 603s. I have one and like it a lot. If I was buying Oktavas I'd buy from the Sound Room.
 
I own a matched pair of 012's, and though I've gotten good results on acoustic using them as an X-Y pair, my best results have been using 1 cardioid 012 on the 12th fret with another darker LD over the left shoulder to pick up more bass and the whole body behind. For the second mic, I've had excellent results using Oktava MK319 or Rode NTK. NTK doesn't meet your budget, but MK319 might if you talk fast. I talked GC out of a 319 for $99. My other best results have come from using an AKG C2000B on the 12th fret with either of the above LD's behind.
Although I've gotten excellent results using a SP C3 for vocals, blind tests have found it a little more accurate/unforgiving than I want for my guitar work. I'd say definitely try the 012, because it's flat out one of the most versatile mics anywhere for the price' and set out to work a deal on an MK319.-Richie
 
don't forget about the $35 behringer ecm8000's. I have both a pair of those and a pair of the mxl603s and i find that the behringer's get more use in that dept. Use a 603 on the 12th fret, and a ecm8000 over the shoulder and you get the best of both worlds.

Brandon
 
frist44 said:
don't forget about the $35 behringer ecm8000's. I have both a pair of those and a pair of the mxl603s and i find that the behringer's get more use in that dept. Use a 603 on the 12th fret, and a ecm8000 over the shoulder and you get the best of both worlds.

Brandon
Click to expand...

That is exactly my setup. Amazing sound for $115 investment!
 
Are the 603 and the Nady CM 90 the same mic? They look ALMOST identical...I can't seem to find the 603 anywhere by itself, but MF has the Nady...

I've got to buy via Internet-I can't seem to find anything but Shure dynamics and AT condensers at the music stores around here...any help with the 603's and ECM8000's would be appreciated-I found the Oktava's at several places...

Google search wasn't much help....
 
You should be able to find the MXL 603's on line at MARS Music-Richie
 
Richard (or Harvey),

I am interested in trying/micing the acoustic guitar with the Mk-012 @ the 12th fret and the LD Condensor over the shoulder. Since I am typically doing all this myself can you give me any more details on best placement of these two micing positions. It is difficult to do a great deal of experimentation when you are playing , placing the mic's and setting the levels.

Specifically a general starting point for distance and direction of these two mic's. I have also heard Harvey recomend the over the shoulder technique.

I am guessing the 12th fret mic is up within two or so inches of the fret board and angled toward the body somewhat and the LD over the shoulder mic is somewhat at the players ear level with the diaphram angled toward the body or sound hole.

Am I close?

I know I need to experiment alot to learn but I don't have any current partners and limited time opportunities to record. :rolleyes:
 
right now musician's friend is running the marshall MXL2001 and MXL603S in a package for $155.99. doesn't sound like a bad deal. a l.d. and s.d. both for under $200
 
mikeyc222 said:
right now musician's friend is running the marshall MXL2001 and MXL603S in a package for $155.99. doesn't sound like a bad deal. a l.d. and s.d. both for under $200
Click to expand...
Hello Fellow Austinite!
I went looking for some 603's this weekend here in town. The usual suspect places, no one had 'em. :(
Anyway, it seems I've heard here on this board, that the best thing about that package is the 603, and the 2001 is basically best used as a door stop.
I don't have either mic, but for what its worth... that seems to be the consensus.
 
i think that nady and marshall mics are made by the same japp company. but the mics (internaly) are diffearint.


i think so anyway.
 
Michael J, my understanding was that the 603's were pretty good for their price...i must admit though that i have no personal experience with them.
since we're in the same town, maybe we should exchange some studio ideas sometime...god knows i could use all the help i can get
 
ZEKE SAYER said:
i think that nady and marshall mics are made by the same japp company. but the mics (internaly) are diffearint.
Click to expand...

the mics are made in "chinese" factories, not "japp" (sic) ones. but that's ok. from the other side of the world, all you round-eyes look alike too. ;)
 
mikeyc222 said:
...since we're in the same town, maybe we should exchange some studio ideas sometime...god knows i could use all the help i can get
Click to expand...
Absolutely!
I'm up for it.
 
well, i'm really just getting started with my setup so i imagine that you could give me MUCH more info than i could share with you, but i am lookin for a studio to apprentice in(move mics, run cable...whatever) to get my feet wet. if yer interested my email addy is mikeyc222@yahoo.com
 
Well, you should understand before you take what I say as anything, if recording were football, Harvey would be Bill Parcells, and I would be a pretty good high school player. I am a hack, who is only beginning to understand mic'ing technique. However, I've had my best luck with the 012 in cardioid, not omni, backed off about 24", ponted right at the 12th fret, not at the body. I want a snapshot of the highs coming off the strings where the body meets the neck. The LD mic (Rode NTK or Oktava MK319) is over the left shoulder about 36" from the guitar, pointed at the upper bout toward the center of the body.
This has worked well for me, and I find backing off the mics makes placement less critical. Besides, I like my room, and I'm not afraid to record it. If Harvey disagrees with me, do whatever he says. Best of luck- Richie
 
Mic placement

Thanks Richie that gives me a place to start anyway.:D
 
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