Help Choosing Mics for Acoustic Guitar

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maxcohen

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I'm looking to two-mic record an acoustic guitar. I've found a local company who will hire out microphones but I'm out of my depth when it comes to choosing from their list... If anyone with the knowledge can have a look at the hire list below and let me have some thoughts on choice and application it would be greatly appreciated...

Mike Hire ListAccusound ACCB-2 Double Bass Combined System
AKG C414B-XLS Studio Large Diaphragm Condenser KIT
AKG C420L Headset Microphone - Fohhn FP
AKG C-451EB Mic Pre Amp for CK Capsules
AKG C-747 Hypercardioid Pencil Mic + Accessories
AKG C921 Condenser Hanging Microphones
AKG CK1 Cardioid Capsule
AKG CK3 Hypercardioid Capsule
AKG CK8 Short Gun Capsule
AKG CK97 Lavalier Microphone - Fohhn FP
Audio Technica A-T877 Shotgun Microphone
Audio Technica AT4033 Large Diaphragm Condenser
Audio Technica AT4041 Cardioid Microphone
Audio Technica AT835B Line + Gradient Mic Audio Technica ATM75 Headset Mic (Microdot)
Audio Technica ATM87R Boundry Microphone & Cable
Audio Technica PRO35X Miniature Condenser Mic.
Crown PCC-160 Plate Mic & Cable
DPA 4007 Omni Directional Condenser Microphone
DPA 4060 Lavaliere Microphone (Black) Mini Jack
DPA 4061 Lavaliere Microphone (Black) 3 Pin Lemo
DPA 4061 Lavaliere Microphone (Black) Mini Jack
DPA 4061 Lavaliere Microphone (Flesh) 3 Pin Lemo
DPA 4066 Headset Microphone (Black) 3 Pin Lemo
DPA 4066 Headset Microphone (Flesh) 3 Pin Lemo
Sennheiser e664 Cardioid Condenser MicrophoneSennheiser e865 Condenser Microphone
Sennheiser HSP4 EW3 Cardioid Headset Mic Mini Jack
Sennheiser K6/ME66 Short Gun Kit
Sennheiser ME-2 Omni Lavaliere - Mini Jack
Sennheiser ME-3-N Headset Microphone - 3 Pin Lemo
Sennheiser ME-3-N Headset Microphone - Mini Jack
Sennheiser MKE 212 Boundry Microphone
Sennheiser MKE-10 with MS10T Power Module
Sennheiser MKE-2 Black - 3 Pin Lemo
Sennheiser MKE-2 Black - Mini Jack
Sennheiser MKE-2-4 Platinum Black - 3 Pin Lemo
Sennheiser MKE-2-4 Platinum Flesh - 3 Pin Lemo
Sennheiser MKH-20 Omni Condenser
Sennheiser MKH-40 Cardioid Condenser
Sennheiser MKH-406T Cardioid Condenser
Sennheiser MKH-416P Short Gun Condenser
Sennheiser MKH-416T Short Gun Condenser
Shure BETA 87A Super Cardioid Condenser
Shure BETA 91 Condenser Plate Microphone
Shure BETA 98D/S Condenser Drum Microphone Kit
Shure BETA 98S Miniature Condenser Mic
Shure MX202/R183B Omni Hanging Microphone
Shure SM85 Cardioid Condenser Vocal
 
Hey,

I don't know if it's gonna help you, but when I two-mic record, I like having a condenser mic close to the guitar, and an omnidirectional mic further to record the room (only if the room sounds good and/or sounds the way you want it).

But keep in mind that the mic you'll choose depend of your guitar and the music style you're playing.
 
If you have no idea whatsoever, then I'd say you'll do fine with a couple of the AT4041's.
 
What kind of guitar will you be using? AT4041's would be fine but if you are recording a "lesser" guitar, no mic is going to make it sound better. I once recorded a guy playing a late 60's Gibson J-200 with a RODE NT-1 at the 12th fret and an SM-57 pointed at the bridge. Best acoustic guitar recording I've ever done...
 
The set up that I've recently fallen in love with is a small diaphragm condenser mic (AKG perception 170) close to the 12th fret pointing towards the body of the guitar, with a large diaphragm condenser (Rode NT1) about 1 to three feet away from the body of the guitar. Catch the DI signal if they have a pickup and blend away. You'll get gold every time.

But honestly, every application demands different things, so go nuts, experiment with different mics, but this is my "go to" method.

If you want to hear how this set up sounds I've attached a track I've recorded with this method.
 

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chrisharris said:
If you have no idea whatsoever, then I'd say you'll do fine with a couple of the AT4041's.
Click to expand...
Cheers Chris, "no idea whatsoever", is about right.. If I can only get one AT4041 what from the list would you couple it with? Thanksalot
 
The big factor is what the guitar sounds like and what the room sounds like. If its an untreated room, you probably don't want to use a condensor mic. I was really happy with the 1 SM57 I used to record my 73 Epi, then I recently tried the mic + DI-ing a Demarzio hole-mounted pickup at the same time. The mix of the 2 is very accurate to what I hear when playing, I just EQed a little bass out (it's a dreadnought size).
 
maxcohen said:
Cheers Chris, "no idea whatsoever", is about right.. If I can only get one AT4041 what from the list would you couple it with? Thanksalot
Click to expand...

I'm a fan of Audio Technica mics for acoustic guitars, so I'd probably go with the AT4033 on the body and the AT4041 on the strings. Here's a recording with an AT4050 pointed at the body of the guitar, below the bridge, about 9 inches away...with a regular dynamic mic pointed at the 12th fret about 6 inches away. I like close mic'ing, and I like spreading them out as wide as is feasible along the body of the guitar.
 

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