AT3035..? and small diaphragm condensors....

[Lanstar0]

small diaphragm condensors....

Hey, guys! I am a new member here. I am mainly a keyboard/MIDI buff that started to get into recording the past few months. I am looking to continue expanding my studio, and this looks like a good resource for information about equipment. Anyway.....

I am looking to buy a pair of small diaphragm condensors to use as overheads and for acoustic guitar. Mu budget is pretty limited, however, and I was looking for suggestions in the $300 and under range for a pair.

These are what I'm looking at for small diaphragm condendors:
Oktava MC-012
Rode NT5
Marshall MXL603
SP C4
AT3031

Which of these would you reccomend? they have to be good as overheads AND for acoustic guitar.

Thanks!

LZ

 

[DJL]

I recommend the AKG 451's... and your AT3035 is perfect if YOU like the way it sounds.

 

[Lanstar0]

Yeah.. but are they in the $300 a pair price range...?


I believe that is a no-no..

 

[SmattyG]

Just my 2 cents:

I have an AKG 451, and I do not necesserily use it for guitar... It's not the guitar itself, but the style of playing that determines this. For some stuff, the 451 honestly sounds a bit to muddy for me. I.e. strumming all 6 strings.... I would wager that there are better all-round acoustic mics than that one. At the same time, it is an excellent choice for some songs.

 

[DJL]

Sorry, the AKG 451's aren't cheepo mic's.

 

[DJL]

Just my 2 cents:

I have an AKG 451, and I do not necesserily use it for guitar... It's not the guitar itself, but the style of playing that determines this. For some stuff, the 451 honestly sounds a bit to muddy for me. I.e. strumming all 6 strings.... I would wager that there are better all-round acoustic mics than that one. At the same time, it is an excellent choice for some songs.

The same thing could be said about any mic if placement, room, instrument, talent, and or etc sucked.

ADDED: Oh, and I think the Marshall MXL603S is a great acoustic guitar mic.

 

[Lanstar0]

This is just a home project studio ... I'm sure the ones I mentioned are not oozing with quality, but all I can afford right now is a pair around the $300 mark.

If you had to use a pair of "cheapo" small diaphragm condonsors as overheads and on acoustic guitar, which would you choose?

Thanks!

 

[DJL]

Most likely the Oktava MC-012's for overheads... and the Marshall MXL603S for acoustic guitar... and you can get them all for around the $300 mark.

 

[Lanstar0]

ok, thanks! I'll see if the local stores carry those so I can try them out....

 

[chessrock]

Most likely the Oktava MC-012's for overheads... and the Marshall MXL603S for acoustic guitar... and you can get them all for around the $300 mark.

Ditto. I also like the Oktavas for overheads and the Feilo mxl603 for accoustic.

 

[Bob Keelan]

Good Lord! Get out to Guitar Center TOMORROW and get 2 MC012s for $100.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Unfortunately, the only small diaphragm condensers I'm really familiar with are the cheap ones. My humble opinion:

Oktava MC012- Flat out winner in the bang for buck division. Great overheads, fair on guitar, some people can even sing into one. At $99 a pair, a no-brainer.

Marshall MXL 603- Great on guitar, fair as overheads. As pointed out above, you could get all 4 of these, and have some of your $300 left over.

Studio Projects C-4- Better than either of the above on guitar or as overheads, superb on nylon strings, but last I checked, street price is about $370 with an airline case, shockmounts, and omni capsules.

Rode NT5- Good mics, but would be my last choice based on price vs. performance, unless you live in Europe, where their price point relative to the others makes them more attractive.

I would start by just grabbing a pair of Oktavas, then go from there.-Richie

 

[Lanstar0]

Thanks, guys!

If my GC IS having that deal, then I'll definitely get those Oktava's and go from there!

Also, I know small diaphragm condonsors are generally reccomended for acoustic guitar, but what if I got a pair of SP B1's instead of something like the Marshall MXL 603's?

What do you think of a pair of MC-019's and B1's vs. the MC-019's and the MXL 609's?

Thanksagain!

 

[Lanstar0]

^

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Just my 2 cents:

I have an AKG 451, and I do not necesserily use it for guitar... It's not the guitar itself, but the style of playing that determines this. For some stuff, the 451 honestly sounds a bit to muddy for me. I.e. strumming all 6 strings.... I would wager that there are better all-round acoustic mics than that one. At the same time, it is an excellent choice for some songs.

I can't imagine how you find the 451 muddy! The original ones had a wonderful creamy top end and the re-issues are very close (but not identical) -- maybe even slightly brighter than the originals...

I've used them with great success on 6 and 12-string acoustics... if you're getting mud, I'd suspect the room, the placement, or the instrument itself before attributing the problem to those particular mics!

 

[DJL]

Thanks, guys!

If my GC IS having that deal, then I'll definitely get those Oktava's and go from there!

Also, I know small diaphragm condonsors are generally reccomended for acoustic guitar, but what if I got a pair of SP B1's instead of something like the Marshall MXL 603's?

What do you think of a pair of MC-019's and B1's vs. the MC-019's and the MXL 609's?

Thanksagain!

I'd get the Marshall MXL603SPR.

 

[DJL]

I can't imagine how you find the 451 muddy! The original ones had a wonderful creamy top end and the re-issues are very close (but not identical) -- maybe even slightly brighter than the originals...

I've used them with great success on 6 and 12-string acoustics... if you're getting mud, I'd suspect the room, the placement, or the instrument itself before attributing the problem to those particular mics!

That's exactly what I think.