advice on pair of small-diaphragm condensers

[id-rejected]

Hi everyone, I'm in the market for a (matched?) pair of small-diaphragm condensers mics. I intend to use them mainly for recording acoustic guitar in stereo using the well-known "spaced pair" technique (see article)

My budget allows me a maximum of US $450 (yeah I know it's not a lot...) for both mics and so I am considering the following products:

• Matched Pair of MXL 603S (a.k.a. MXL 603 Stereo Kit)
• Matched Pair of MC012A-MSP
• Matched Pair of Rode NT5
• Studio Projects C4

Here's the hardware I currently have access to in case you'd feel I already a own a decent mic for this task:

MICS

• Studio Projects C1 (x2)
• Shure SM7B
• AKG C 535 EB

PREAMP/COMPRESSOR

• Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro
• Focusrite Penta
• (Digidesign MBox)

Thank you in advance for your tips and advices!

 

[DJL]

Hi everyone, I'm in the market for a (matched?) pair of small-diaphragm condensers mics. I intend to use them mainly for recording acoustic guitar in stereo using the well-known "spaced pair" technique (see article)

My budget allows me a maximum of US $450 (yeah I know it's not a lot...) for both mics and so I am considering the following products:

• Matched Pair of MXL 603S (a.k.a. MXL 603 Stereo Kit)
• Matched Pair of MC012A-MSP
• Matched Pair of Rode NT5
• Studio Projects C4

Here's the hardware I currently have access to in case you'd feel I already a own a decent mic for this task:

MICS

• Studio Projects C1 (x2)
• Sure SM7B
• AKG C 535 EB

PREAMP/COMPRESSOR

• Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro
• Focusrite Penta
• (Digidesign MBox)

Thank you in advance for your tips and advices!

I've never used the C4 before but in most of the post I've read people seem to like them for acoustic guitar... and I perfer the MLX603S over the MC-012 and NT5 on acoustic guitar.

 

[CanopuS]

I love the C4's on my acoustic, but its a matter of preference. The tone I achieve is nice and smooth, but if you want a "twangy" sound (Like Warren for instance), then I'd look at the 603's

 

[id-rejected]

Thank's guys. Keep 'em comin'

 

[Big Kenny]

with that budget, I'm afraid that's pretty much it!

 

[mshilarious]

My pair of SM81s I got used for about that.

 

[id-rejected]

My pair of SM81s I got used for about that.

Thanks mshilarious, I was not aware of the SM81 (yep, call me a newbie). From what I read on previous posts they seem to be a little notch above all the other mics I mentionned in my original post.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I prefer the Oktavas on a cheap guitar, and the C-4's on a good one, by far. The C-4's are less colored than the Oktavas, and more accurate. A little color can smooth over a not so good axe, like airbrushing a model with not so good skin. I'd use the Oktavas on an Ovation, and the C-4's on a good old Martin or a Breedlove, etc. The C-4's also come with omni capsules well within your budget. The SM81's are just fine as are AKG C451's, but in most cases, they will exceed your stated budget. If you can get either one cheap, go for it. There is no doubt in my mind that I would choose the C-4's over the NT-5's or the MXL 603's. The Oktavas work very well on some guitars, but not my Taylor.-Richie

 

[Han]

Yo, a pair of old C451's with CK1 capsules can sound awesome on acoustic guitar, especially if you put them in a DIN placement from over the shoulder of the guitarist (another secret revealed?)

The C451's are very sensitive for moisture though.

 

[Warhead]

I love the C4's on my acoustic, but its a matter of preference. The tone I achieve is nice and smooth, but if you want a "twangy" sound (Like Warren for instance), then I'd look at the 603's

Ouch...I've been singled out.

It's the pick attack sound of the C4's I don't like, they're a good drum overhead mic in my opinion.

It's all good yo...but that is my opinyon...

War

 

[Mountaineer]

You can easily get miked up for under $450. Here's my set-up for acoustic mics:

I bought one of these matched pairs of MXL 603s mics. A Reputable dealer too!

MXL 603s Matched Pair w/shockmounts and case

I also bought a Behringer B-5. It has two capsules ... Cardioid and Omni, and fits well in one of the MXL shockmounts.

Behringer B-5

Total Price = $350
Matched Pair MXL 603s - $200 ( Maybe less ... I paid $170 with free shipping)
2- 15' Matched Cables - $80 (Monster or Mogami .. Whatever )
Behringer B-5- $70 (tops)


I think the MXL 603s and Behringer B-5 are great for acoustics. I use either the two 603s or one 603s and a Behringer B-5 with an omni capsule. Sometimes I use one 603s at the 12th fret and a AT 4033 aimed at the soundhole at about 18".

Good Luck, whatever you decide.

Regards,
Mountaineer

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Id- just a note on the Behringer B-5's. There are a lot more allegations about the B-5's than there are facts, because not very many people have used them yet. Behringer is notorious for making dirt cheap copies of other people's gear, some of which works rather well, and some not so well. The B-5's are, at least in external appearance, blatant copies of Studio Projects C-4's, and are made by the same company, 797 Audio in China. It has been stated by Harvey Gerst, a resident mic expert, that the spec sheet on the mics he saw at NAMM indicated that there are significant internal differences between the 2 mics.
What has been established is that the mics are dirt cheap, with all the features of the C-4's. What hasn't been established conclusively is whether the mics are any good. I'm not in the Behringer bashing camp here, only saying that the B-5's are new enough that the pack of experts whose opinions I value haven't weighed in on these mics yet. They could be the bargain of the century, total garbage, or anything in between. If Behringer's track record holds true, they'll be somewhere in between- 70% of the product that's being copied for 40% of the price. That's just a heads up.-Richie

 

[CanopuS]

Ouch...I've been singled out.

It's the pick attack sound of the C4's I don't like, they're a good drum overhead mic in my opinion.

It's all good yo...but that is my opinyon...

War

That wasn't meant as a witch-hunt - its a perfectly reasonable opinion. Just goes to show though, what is GOOD? It's all relative, and hence you can't just choose a mic and say it'll be good, its opinion...

 

[Cuzme]

Ok but how about worth? In anyone's opinion, is it worth purchasing the Octava's from SoundRoom ($426 for the single capsules and $659 for the 3 capsules)versus the Studio Projects C4's ($319.99)? Much love,
Cuzme

 

[Chip Hitchens]

In a spaced pair technique, you don't have to use matched mics, right? I've seen people do it with totally different kinds of mics (like an LDC on the body and a SDC on the neck), so I imagine that unmatched Oktavas would be fine.

Of course if you ever try to use those mics in a coincident pair, you could get some wierdness if they're not matched.

 

[id-rejected]

Thank's guys. I'm reading your replies with great interest. Keep'em comin'

J-P

 

[sdelsolray]

In a spaced pair technique, you don't have to use matched mics, right? I've seen people do it with totally different kinds of mics (like an LDC on the body and a SDC on the neck), so I imagine that unmatched Oktavas would be fine.

Of course if you ever try to use those mics in a coincident pair, you could get some wierdness if they're not matched.

I agree.

I've read through this thread, as well as several others over the recent past that discuss microphone usage with acoustic guitars. Everyone has their views, and they're all valid. However, no one ever seems to mention what musical style of acoustic guitar is involved. It makes a huge difference if you're talking about a strummed instrument that going to sit deep in a mix, as compared to a fingerstyle accompaniament to a vocal, a blugrass lead or a pure solo fingerstyle tune. Many REs I know will prefer one mic setup for one of these situations, and a very different mic setup for a different situation.

And they'll make other changes depending on the type of guitar used. For example, a rosewood/sitka Martin HD-28 dread sounds very different from a mahogany/cedar Webber OM. Each may require different mics and positioning even if the player and song are the same.

I guess my point is there's more to which mics work best with acoustic guitar than just asking what mics are liked.

 

[Dio24]

Look around, don't just jump @ new and try and find some second hand KMs....they are worth it

 

[id-rejected]

Look around, don't just jump @ new and try and find some second hand KMs....they are worth it

Dio24, excuse my ignorance but exactly what mics are you referring to by "KMs"?

Thank you

 

[Big Kenny]

neumann km 184's probably