If you had $1000.00 to buy a Mic...what would you buy to record acoustic guitar?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ajgrossman
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ajgrossman

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I own a Taylor 814ce acoustic guitar. I have a Shure SM81 condenser Mic that sounds pretty good when used pointed around the 12th fret. I want another Mic to complement it.

If you had $1000.00 to spend on another Mic for this instrument, what you buy and why?

I use a DAW with dbx 386 and Joemeek VC6Q mic preamps.
 
Why dontcha,

Just get another SM81? If you like how it sounds, get another. Having a stereo pair of mics really opens up your recording options.

However, if you are determined to get a $1000 mic I would look for one that is versatile (multiple patterns) mid to large diaphragm, maybe a little colored in tone. In other words, something very different from the mic you have now. This will give you a wider palette to choose from. Far be it from me to discourage you from buying more gear but, don't forget your mic technique. I bet you can get more sounds than you realize with the mic and gear you have now.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
Hey Cram...........

Your almost a senior here and still don't have an avatar... what gives?......And wheres that $6000 of free dbx equipment you promised me....?????? (just kidding).....

I would buy 2 AT 4033's... Cheap, and awesomely clear and crisp mics...........($399 US ea)

Edited for massive spelling error!.. (I spelled Clear.. Slear)....
 
eruogwiuh

I think if I was gonna buy two mics, I'd buy two Rode NT1000's, NTK's, or two Shure Ksm-44's (I beleive the ksm-44 are the $500 range ones). Or another matching Shure AND an Nt1000 or NTK. OR a matching Shure mic and an excellent quality used dual pre-amp. That last one might be the smartest move. Besides the vacation, that is. :)
Paul
 
I know, I know...

Voxvendor, I can't decide what I want as an avatar, option anxiety I suppose (or maybe I'm just perverse). And that $6000 of dbx gear? It's in the mail cowboy:D

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com
 
A good set of microphones for an acoustic guitar is the earthworks TC30K. They are small Omni directional condensers with a great frequency response. They are great on anything Acoustic (Guitar, Grand Piano, and Drum overheads). You can buy a matched pair for about $900.00. When you buy a matched pair they are acutely frequency matched not serial number matched. For the price and the sound quality I think they are a great buy.
Good Luck
Andy
 
How's this?

cold one?
 

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Only if it's Molson Canadian...... what American's call beer, tastes like expensive water to us.......
 
Uhhhh...I did....and Uhhh......

I bought a matched pair of Earthworks QTC1s.
(Actually, only $1500 for the two. Blems from the website.)

As I have stated in other posts, lots of mikes sound "good". The QTC1s sound exactly like the original sound sounded. :)

All of the Earthworks mikes are simply superior in accuracy. Definitely check them out !


Peace,
Rick
 
I have a set of 4033s, and they're pretty good. Not overly warm, though. But deep and detailed.

I also have a Neumann 184, which is a bit better than the 4033s. It's warm, and captures my acoustic beautifully - think Nick Drake acoustic sound....

With your budget, I might be tempted to go for a set of 184s (at musicians-gear.com they're just over $400 each). I might also think about a TLM103 (just over $500 at musicians-gear) and a 184. You'd get a large d condenser and a small d condenser, so that might be a slightly more flexible setup for you in the long run.

There's a lot of choices, and the answer will depend on what you have and what you want to do in the future....
 
I say, If you can find two used Neumann km84 in good condition, grab them... They sound great on about everything :) Love those puppies on ac.guitars
Though, my father says he has some B&K microphones which are supposed to sound even better on ac.guitars, I´ll have to try them someday :)
 
Thank you all for your help and opinions.

I picked up a BLUE Dragonfly yesterday along with their Cranberry cable. OH MY GOD!! This is the best mic'd sound I have heard to date from my Taylor yet.

I placed the mic about 12" from the guitar per the recommendations from a MIX article on this mic and it sounds incredible.
 
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