cheap mic for recording acoustic guitar

[huma]

Hello,

I am currently in the market for a mic to record acoustic guitar. I am just doing bedroom recording on my mbox, and I am looking for a decent mic, but something that might be under the $250 range, because I am pretty broke! I know that you have to test out the mics and all to really know which to pick, but I am just looking to get pointed in a little bit of the right direction, because my head is spinning! Thanks so much for your help and your time.

Brian

 

[crazydoc]

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6450&Category=Microphones

 

[chessparov]

How about the Studio Projects B1 at about $80 new?
It's also a nice vocal microphone IMHO.

Chris

 

[Bob Keelan]

Yeah, you can even get one of the 603s for about $75. It is my current mic of choice for acoustic guitar. That being said, it's hard to argue against the SP B1 for a first condenser mic. So much bang for the buck.

 

[Rocket Boy]

AKG C2000b

you can get a C2000b and an Oktava Mk012 for like 200 or something. then you can put the Oktava at the 12th great and the C2000b behind the bridge... works for me.

 

[Flatpicker]

You know, if I were you, I'd get the $39 Behringer EMC8000 first and see if it doesn't do the trick. If you are just dying to spend more money, try a Studio Projects B1, MXL 603S, or a MXL V67, all are in the $75 - $100 range. (I would recommend the Oktava MK012, but no one seems to have any for sale).

The thing is with the ECM8000, since it's omni-directional you can put it closer to the sound hole without any of the boomy proximity effect you would get with the other mics.

 

[tdukex]

I'm with crazydoc on this one--a matched pair of 603s--as long as you already have a decent dual preamp.

 

[guitarlover]

I may be going against the grain on this one but I have the MXL's and thought the sound was decent but a little "hollow". I sprung for a couple of Audio-Technica AT3035's (street price - $199.00 ea.) and I couldn't be happier!

I know these are only double the cost of the other "cheapies" mentioned but they have a very rich sound that compensates very nicely for the dead room in which I record.

Good Luck, Steve

 

[huma]

hey,

ok so far, thanks so much for the advice and recommendations that have been given thus far! I just have a few more questions for anyone that could help...
I was looking at the MXL603s and I noticed that you can get one 603 and one MXL2001 in a package. I was wondering if anyone had any reviews on this as far as vocals are concerned, and whether or not this would be a worthy vocal mic.
Also, when recording in stereo for the acoustic, is it highly recommended that I use two of the same mics, or can i use whatever...I hope that doesn't make me sound totally uncreative! haha. I know I should be using whatever I like to get whatever sound I like, but just wanting some experienced opinions.
I currently own an ART 127 Tube MP, but I would need a stereo preamp. Any recommendations on an affordable one?
Also, how would one say the shure beta 57a compares to the MXL603, and would one recommend that for both vocals and acoustic guitars.
I know that is a lot to be asking! And I really really appreciate the information that has been given thus far! Thanks so much for people taking time out of their busy lives to help me out!

Brian

 

[crazydoc]

Originally posted by huma
hey,

ok so far, thanks so much for the advice and recommendations that have been given thus far! I just have a few more questions for anyone that could help...
I was looking at the MXL603s and I noticed that you can get one 603 and one MXL2001 in a package. I was wondering if anyone had any reviews on this as far as vocals are concerned, and whether or not this would be a worthy vocal mic.

I've never read a good opinion of the 2001. My only experience with one was for live sound, where it sounded pretty good with accoustic/bluegrass style music.

Also, when recording in stereo for the acoustic, is it highly recommended that I use two of the same mics, or can i use whatever...I hope that doesn't make me sound totally uncreative! haha. I know I should be using whatever I like to get whatever sound I like, but just wanting some experienced opinions.

Recording with two different mics is probably not detrimental, and may even be advantageous. Lots of info on this forum about this - do a search. Here's a few opinions:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=114226

I currently own an ART 127 Tube MP, but I would need a stereo preamp. Any recommendations on an affordable one?

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=10268&Category=Audio_Processors

Also, how would one say the shure beta 57a compares to the MXL603, and would one recommend that for both vocals and acoustic guitars.

Since the Beta57a is a supercardioid dynamic and the 603 is a wide cardioid condenser, I'd expect them to be quite different. Dynamics are also sensitive to different preamps, so it would also depend on the pre you would be using.

I know that is a lot to be asking! And I really really appreciate the information that has been given thus far! Thanks so much for people taking time out of their busy lives to help me out!

Brian
You're welcome

 

[noisedude]

two different mics is fine on acoustic, it's on drum overheads where you need a consistent sound. mixing two different tones from your guitar may give you many possibilities!

a good 2-channel pre is the M-Audio DMP3. loads people here have it and reckon its quality for the price.

welcome to the forum, keep coming and asking questions and reading. it's a great way to learn and get better!

 

[chessparov]

Huma, your mbox has phantom power.
I bet it's cleaner sounding than the ART.
In fact, whatever you choose to do, get rid of the ART.
You could call that "addition by subtraction":> by freeing up some
extra dollars for better stuff.

Seriously, if you get any microphones, try them with what you have first. The sound may be "good enough" (or better) for you
already.

Chris

 

[eeldip]

hey huma....

what do you consider a great acoustic guitar recording? could you name a few?

cuz, there are a whole bunch of ways to skin this cat: bright condenser, flat condenser, ribbon, dynamic....

personally, i dont like that detailed and shimmery stuff (bright condenser sound)... i think a 57 can do the job pretty good, but a 441 is pretty sweet and you could pick it up for $250.... heck, some people LOVE the ev 635A on acoustic guitar for a thick rolling stones sort of sound.

and a cheap beyer ribbon might get you close to that nick drake sound that some people consider to be the "holy grail" of acoustic guitar tone.

what is your "holy grail"?

and regarding your mic pre:
http://www.blacklionaudio.com/tube_mp.htm

 

[chessparov]

EV 635a shhhh....

Fortunately they sell new for about $100, so that'll limit how much their used prices go up now!

Chris

 

[huma]

ok....yeah i guess i never really did explain where i was coming from as far as the tone of the sound was concerned, i guess for my acoustic guitars, i like a really bright and warm sound.
on songs for my band, that we recorded, i used an audio-technica MB4000C for everything. vocals/acoustic guitars/electric and ran it direct into the digidesign mbox. i do really like the preamps on the mbox, and i was thinking maybe instead of getting the dmp3, i could just record stereo into the mbox pre's and then just bounce that down to a mono track if i feel like it.
when it came to the AT MB4000C, I wasnt happy with the acoustics, but the vocals where alright, though I would really like a warmer vocal mic. I was not happy with the guitars though.
if anyone would like to check out for a point of reference, these recordings could be heard at: http://www.humamusic.com/framemusic.html
It seems like the MXL 603s would be a good thing to check out, and seem to be highly recommended by people on this board. Do they have a nice warm and bright sound? My girlfriend (who is in the band) has an SM57, I was thinking about trying that for micing the amps for the electric guitar...any opinions?
haha i guess as far as we have gotten along now, i am definantly looking for a warm and bright mic for the acoustic.

thanks for the time and patience....
i think we are getting somewhere?! hahah
have a great day!

brian

 

[Track Rat]

Bright and "warm"(here we go)? Try an AT4033.

 

[huma]

Bright and "warm"(here we go)? Try an AT4033.

haha hey wait! i said i was new to this! I havent developed the proper recording adjectives yet! - brian

 

[eeldip]

if you name some examples of recordings of acoustic guitars that you want to sound like we can avoid adjectives...

 

[Track Rat]

haha hey wait! i said i was new to this! I havent developed the proper recording adjectives yet! - brian

No offense my friend. Stick around. We'll learn you real gud boy.

 

[huma]

ok..so as far as recordings that i enjoy, here goes, i hope this helps:
grandaddy, flaming lips, belle and sebastian, elliott smith, pinback, mojave 3. Those I guess could be classified as sounds that I might be going for.
Hope that helps ya!

-brian "beyond the adjectives" c