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jerzeysk8board
New member
Wats the best guitar mic for recording that is $100-$250? I will be using it to mic my guitar amp and acoustic. It will have to be able to get a clear signal from the frequencys of my distortion channel.
kid klash
The original Mr. Nice Guy
There are LOTS to choose from in this price range.
A couple of dynamics that come to mind are the Shure SM-57 (around $90) and the Sennheiser e609silver (around $110).
For large diaphragm condensers (which require 48v phantom voltage) there is the Studio Projects B1 (around $105).
As I wrote earlier, there are lots to choose from.
All of these mics use XLR to XLR mic cables, and require some type if mic preamp.
Good luck!
A couple of dynamics that come to mind are the Shure SM-57 (around $90) and the Sennheiser e609silver (around $110).
For large diaphragm condensers (which require 48v phantom voltage) there is the Studio Projects B1 (around $105).
As I wrote earlier, there are lots to choose from.
All of these mics use XLR to XLR mic cables, and require some type if mic preamp.
Good luck!
scrubs
Not of sound mind
There aren't many mics in that pricerange that would be ideal for both acoustic and electric/amp miking. A dynamic mic is not going to give you great detail on your acoustic and an inexpensive condenser might sound harsh on your amp. If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with the CAD M179. It's a good, general purpose, multipattern condenser.
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Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Yo Jersey! You got lots of choices, because cheap mics have rocked on dirty cabs for a long time. Sometimes wicked cheap mics just work, even on bigtime recordings. SM57 is the cheap standard, but there are many alternatives- AKG D770/D3800, Sennheiser e835/845/e609, Beyerdynamic almost anything, and yes, there are those that mic a cab with a Neumann KMS105 (not cheap). That's scary, for more than one reason.
For cheap condensers, I've had my best luck with AKG C2000B. But hardly anyone here can say they've used *everybody's* $200 mic. I can only say the cheap little S.O.B. beat out a bunch of pricier mics in more than one shootout. A pair of them make pretty good overheads, and they are good on a variety of percussion. $200 with the shockmount, which beats the cheap headphone deal. They are phasing them out, I think, with the new Perceptions, so it would be a good time to make a deal on one at your local GC.
The people who can afford them pretty much all swear by good ribbons. There are some cheap Chinese ribbons under 6 or 8 brand names that might be a good deal, but they haven't really been fully evaluated over time- the jury is still out. What I'd do if I was you, is spend $50 on a used SM57, and the other $200 on a C2000B. When one doesn't sound right (the room is a huge factor), the other one will, and they are both good for recording a bunch of other stuff. The C2000B is much better than the SM57 for acoustic guitar, but the 57 is better for a sax. They are both good mics on a live soundstage as well. C2000B is a wonderful stage mic for woodwinds or strings. Dynamics and condensers are like the Yin and Yang of mics. Get one of each, and learn to use them both. Try the dynamic up close and the condenser backed off and blend to taste. Good luck- Richie
For cheap condensers, I've had my best luck with AKG C2000B. But hardly anyone here can say they've used *everybody's* $200 mic. I can only say the cheap little S.O.B. beat out a bunch of pricier mics in more than one shootout. A pair of them make pretty good overheads, and they are good on a variety of percussion. $200 with the shockmount, which beats the cheap headphone deal. They are phasing them out, I think, with the new Perceptions, so it would be a good time to make a deal on one at your local GC.
The people who can afford them pretty much all swear by good ribbons. There are some cheap Chinese ribbons under 6 or 8 brand names that might be a good deal, but they haven't really been fully evaluated over time- the jury is still out. What I'd do if I was you, is spend $50 on a used SM57, and the other $200 on a C2000B. When one doesn't sound right (the room is a huge factor), the other one will, and they are both good for recording a bunch of other stuff. The C2000B is much better than the SM57 for acoustic guitar, but the 57 is better for a sax. They are both good mics on a live soundstage as well. C2000B is a wonderful stage mic for woodwinds or strings. Dynamics and condensers are like the Yin and Yang of mics. Get one of each, and learn to use them both. Try the dynamic up close and the condenser backed off and blend to taste. Good luck- Richie
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soundchaser59
Reluctant Commander
As usual, the EV ND468 gets overlooked......but I guarantee you it smokes any SM57, D770, or E609 for recording guitar amps. Can be had for $139.
I have all 4, and I did side by side.......the 468 beats the others by a mile.
I have all 4, and I did side by side.......the 468 beats the others by a mile.
kid klash
The original Mr. Nice Guy
There's another mic deal to look at... I saw it at NAMM last week, and it looked interesting. It's the AT-2020 MDC mic, packaged with their new AT-2021 SDC mic; the pair are selling as a set for $150 on the internet stores (yes, for both mics together).
I've been impressed with the AT-2020, knowing that it's low end is rolled off... it might be a good choice for your electric guitars, vocals, overhead, and just about anything else. I don't know anything about the AT2021 other than it looked real nice; it might work well for your acoustic guitar and other acoustic instruments, hi-hat, hand percussion, bells, and lots of other things.
Whatever you decide to do, post to let us know what you decided, and how you like it.
I've been impressed with the AT-2020, knowing that it's low end is rolled off... it might be a good choice for your electric guitars, vocals, overhead, and just about anything else. I don't know anything about the AT2021 other than it looked real nice; it might work well for your acoustic guitar and other acoustic instruments, hi-hat, hand percussion, bells, and lots of other things.
Whatever you decide to do, post to let us know what you decided, and how you like it.
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tc4b
Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
I use am sm57 on my cab and a gt55 on my accoustic, both relatively cheap mics, but I get my best results when I use them both and spend some time messing with the placement. When I'm mixing, it's good to have two very different versions of the same track.
That being said, a pair of sm81's is phenomenal for accoustic guitar (a friend of mine has 2 I have used).
That being said, a pair of sm81's is phenomenal for accoustic guitar (a friend of mine has 2 I have used).
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ndycus1
New member
if you have $250 to spend, you might as well spend $90 on an SM57 and use the rest for an LDC (maybe an Audio Technica AT2020)
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Deng
New member
ndycus1 said:
I am with him on that. For just a little over 200 you can get a Sm57 and a MXL v67. The v67 is about a hundred bucks and is really a flat mic that I personally have found to trump a lot of more expensive mics in shootouts. It also could double as a mic you could throw onto the amp as well, or use as a room mic, or just about anything you desire. For about 200 you can get a lot of options out of these two.
-Deng