Dynamic mikes for acoustic guitar

  • Thread starter Thread starter Monty Cadenhead
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Monty Cadenhead

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Back in my 1st time through the recording experience, 25 years ago, I liked a combination of large diaphragm and small diaphragm consensers on acoustic guitar.

This time, I'm using a cassette 4-track, but I would like to keep the same combination of warmth/body and air/sparkle the consensers gave, so far as possible, and avoid that stereotyped SM-57 sound.

The budget is $200 US, but less is better, so the EV RE20 and the Sennheiser 421 are out. Used is out, as I'm buying through the mail.

Has anyone ever tried the kick drum mikes, like the AT PRO-25 or similar on an acoustic guitar? Any others to suggest?

On the high side, someone had some nice things to say about the EV Cobalt CO4 for guitar a few months ago, so perhaps there are others. If no one knows of a dynamic mike that would work for this, would any of the battery condensers serve?

This is a setup for living room practice, so the sensitivity of the condensers would be a problem and it has to be moved around every day, so adding phantom power is another power cord and piece of gear to carry around is undesirable. It's also an experiment to find a different way of doing things.

Any ideas, anybody?

Monty
 
They tend to make everything sound alike to me.

It's like Burger King, whether you get a hamburger or an egg sandwich, it all tastes the same.

M.
 
I'm not crazy about 57's on acoustic but with your limited budget you really dont have too many options. You can used mics thru the mail on ebay.
 
Hi Monty,

If I'm misunderstanding, please bear with me, but even if you use dynamic microphones, won't you still need some sort of mic preamplification?

Does your four-track have built-in mic preamps but no phantom power capability?

And if you're going to use a mixer or mic preamp, then in most cases they will provide phantom power without any additional cords, right?

All this to suggest that *if* you *can* go with condensers, then you might consider buying the large-diaphragm Marshall MXL V67M from Mars Music ($110 delivered) and a pair of small Behringer ECM8000 omnis from 8th Street Music (less than $80 delivered for the pair).

The Marshall is as hot as a firecracker, at least on vocals. Harvey Gerst recommends putting one of the Behringer omnis pointed straight down over your right shoulder, and (I think) the other up the frets from in front. You would experiment with LD condenser placement in front of your right hand.

This is an inexpensive way to nail down some great sounds, as long as you have something that will drive the Marshall and the Behringers (both of which require phantom power).

Otherwise, I'm not sure how you'd do it on your budget, given your aversion to SM57's.

Best wishes,

Mark H.

P. S. In the last few years, good cheap condensers have in some ways replaced good cheap dynamics *for some things.* Today -- with the exception of the SM57 and SM 58 -- a "good" dynamic can actually cost more than a "good" condenser. Who'd have thought we'd live that long?
 
Mark H. said:


[snipped]
Does your four-track have built-in mic preamps but no phantom power capability?

[snipped]

and a pair of small Behringer ECM8000 omnis
Click to expand...

The tascam 424 has no phantom power.

You guys have made the little Behringers sound interesting, but I'm 20 feet from the fridge. :)

These new Chinese mikes are so cheap that to me, they're almost free. In the last few days, I've read about 400 posts on them from the archives, and I'm convinced. :)

I'll grant that they are the way to go for best results on acoustic guitar, given that you have a room more or less dedicated to recording. And I'll grant the -57 is the accepted way to go if you need to use dynamics.

I'll just looking to see if there might be a 3rd way. Sometimes it's interesting to find a way to do things that are different from the conventional wisdom.

M.
 
Rode NT3...Runs off an internal 9V battery if you don't have 48V phantom and its hypercardiod pattern should help freeze out the fridge. It's a real condensor, not an electret, so it's self noise is very low.
It sounds great on guitar, much much better than a 57. To me its sounds better than the Behringer omni. I actually prefer it to the AT 4041 on stringed instruments. At least on my instruments, in my room. I've seen it online for as low as $139.00! A true bargain and it's built tough too. And in a pinch it's not a bad vocal mic and a great drum overhead. For the price, it's my bottom feeder pick for versatility and value.
Jim
 
TexRoadkill said:
I'm not crazy about 57's on acoustic but with your limited budget you really dont have too many options. You can used mics thru the mail on ebay.
Click to expand...

Yeah... my thoughts too.. but it's the budget thats killing him.... I would love to see 2 4033's on the ac..:D
 
Remember this is just for recording my practice sessions. A pair of 4033s would be overkill for sure.

I buy lots of stuff on ebay, but not used gear anymore. Got burned to the tune of about $900 last year. that'll hold me for a while.

I'll take a look at the Rode, Mando, thanks.

Again, though, has anyone tried these LD kick drum mikes on an acoustic? AT PRO-25 or maybe the Superlux?

Thanks, all for your input.
M.
 
Mark H. said:
P. S. In the last few years, good cheap condensers have in some ways replaced good cheap dynamics *for some things.* Today -- with the exception of the SM57 and SM 58 -- a "good" dynamic can actually cost more than a "good" condenser. Who'd have thought we'd live that long?
Click to expand...

yep.
 
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