LDC for solo ac guitar?

[royharper3220]

usually sd condensors are recomended for acoustic guitar, but lately i've read somethings that have me questioning if a sd is what i should be using for solo acoustic guitar. I've heard that sdc's are better for putting ac guitar in a mix of other instruments, and LDC's are sometimes preferred for solo acoustic. that its a more natural or warmer sound.
would a LDC be better for solo? if so what's a good LDC around the $200 and under range?

 

[Warhead]

Hmmm, lots of choices. SDC I like the little Oktavas, for LDC on acoustic I like the CAD M179 pretty well on many acoustics. Of course, the actual sound you have going on there in the room can change the whole thing too.

I do usually track the rhythm x/y with Oktavas and then cut any lead stuff with the M179 for a bigger sound that stands out some. I think it's a good choice to switch guitars for this as well to help get some different flavors going and some separation if you're doing acoustic leads on top.



War

 

[Rocket Boy]

ive used the AKGC2000b behind the bridge with an Mk012 at the 12th fret, and also with the 2000b at the 12th fret alone and like it for this purpose.

 

[Toonsmith]

My 2 cents worth!

Solo acoustic guitar is all I play. Iv'e used 603's, NT5's, SM57's, etc.,etc.. I now use two V67's for stereo recording, and though they're not a accurate as the afore mentioned mic's, they do impart a warmth to my recordings.

I use a modified x/y configuration, nearly touching, about 18" out away from the 12th fret with one facing nearly directly into the sound hole and the other facing the 12th fret. Though the stereo field is not very wide it does have a wonderful open and natural sound.

 

[chessrock]

Use whatever gets you the sound you want.

 

[Toonsmith]

Agreed!

 

[bgavin]

Toonsmith,

How did you like the NT5 for your acoustic?

They seem to be a bit darker than the Studio Projects C4.

 

[royharper3220]

I've been using an mxl 603 and sm57. i think both are kinda tinny sounding on solo ac. although the 603s sounds good on rhythm. The V67g's are pretty sexy lookin mics. does sam ash and places like that, let you play with things like mics?

 

[DJL]

Toonsmith,

How did you like the NT5 for your acoustic?

They seem to be a bit darker than the Studio Projects C4.

The Rode NT5 is pretty close to the Oktava MC-012 as far as darkness and brightness goes... and both are darker than the Marshall MXL603S.

 

[cominginsecond]

Use whatever gets you the sound you want.

Sheer genius! Your responses are getting non-descript to the point of uselessness, Chess.

 

[cominginsecond]

I really prefer LDCs for strummy parts (I really like the larger than life sound the NTK imparts in this ap), whether solo'd or not, and SDCs for finger-picked and arpeggiated parts (stereo MC012s sound really woody and great to my ears).

 

[chessrock]

Sheer genius! Your responses are getting non-descript to the point of uselessness, Chess.

Cominginsecond, in the great big, vast world of audio . . . if you honestly believe that the words "use whatever gets you the sound you want" is somehow not useful . . . then I'm afraid you've got a lot to learn.

 

[cominginsecond]

if you honestly believe that the words "use whatever gets you the sound you want" is somehow not useful . . . then I'm afraid you've got a lot to learn.

I think it's obvious to the point of not needing to be said. I think it's something that everyone knows. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[chessrock]

To the contrary . . . I don't think it's said nearly enough. Sometimes we need to be reminded. And when someone asks a blanket question like "What's better for (this situation) -- LDC's or SDC's" then I think it's a good time to do so.

 

[Armistice]

I'm voting for chess on this one - I ended up liking LDC on (my) acoustic guitar, but I didn't go to them for a long time because everything I read was SDCs are more accurate, which I translated as "better".

It was only when I listened to both that I discovered the uses of LDCs and acoustics. I think it needs to be said too.

 

[cominginsecond]

I think what would be more useful is to say "If you want sound x do this. If you want sound y do this." To say "You should use the mic/mic'ing method that sounds best" seems overly obvious at best and condescending at worst, IMO. The person that is wondering whether to buy a SDC or a LDC wants to our thoughts on both methods, so they can make informed purchasing decisions.

 

[cominginsecond]

I agree that your advice makes sense, Chess, when a person has access to both LDCs and SDCs. They can then experiment with both methods and make up their own mind. I would hope that anyone would know to do that, though.

 

[krimson]

I really prefer LDCs for strummy parts (I really like the larger than life sound the NTK imparts in this ap), whether solo'd or not, and SDCs for finger-picked and arpeggiated parts (stereo MC012s sound really woody and great to my ears).

I second that! My NTK makes my crap acoutic guitar sound absolutly killer! Big, full, rich, amazing!

 

[chessrock]

I would hope that anyone would know to do that, though.

Sorry for beating a dead horse . . . but if that were the case, then why would they start a thread like this in the first place?

 

[tdukex]

Of course, there is no best, except what is best for that song. Should it be LDC or SDC? Should it be stereo or mono? Should it be close miced or given some air? Cardoid or omni? Compression? EQ?

Let the song and your available equipment determine what you use.