Marshall 603 (pair) vs Studio Projects B3

[mr.rudy]

Here comes another one from the "which one should I buy?" series. I want to get myself a mic for recording (mainly) an acoustic guitar and a djembe drum (and maybe stuff like digeridoo or tibetan singing bowl ). I am considering a pair of Marshall 603s and a Studio Project B3. I read that acoustic guitar should be recorded in stereo although some people on the forum write that they got great results with one large condenser (which is said to give nice color to the sound). Is a pair of large condensers (which is out of my financial reach at the moment) the best way?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Hail!

 

[Paj]

I'd say that the B1 complements the 603 to a greater degree than the B3. I'd have an easier time telling apart a 603 and and B1 than I would a 603 and a B3 (I have pairs of all of these mics).

Paj
8^)

 

[gehauser]

I have a SP B3 and an MXL 604 and have tried many shootouts on guitar. You really need a mic with a flat (not hyped in the highs) frequency response.

I think the B3 sounds downright awful on guitar - scooped mids with highs that are too harsh and bright (and a little distorted). The more I try it the worse it sounds to me on guitar, although I like it on female and child vocals. I would highly recommend the MXL 604 over the B3 for the guitar and drums, if those were your two choices. If you wanted a large multipattern budget condenser, I would recommend the CAD M179 over the B3, especially for the drums.

I have always gotten better sound from the SDCs than LDCs for guitar and drums - SDCs capture the faster dynamics better. For around $150, you can get an M-Audio Pulsar II SDC that I liked pretty well - maybe better than the $200 Rode NT5 in this shootout (http://hearthegear.com/a/66-Acoustic_Guitar_M-Audio_Pulsar_II_microphone.php) . In your price range, you should compare Pulsar and MXL 604 if you have a way to do it.

For guitar and drums, I have to say, though, saving up for an SM81 ($350) or Peluso CEMC6 ($300) would give you much better sound. You might be interested in these mic shootouts on acoustic guitar:

SM57, MXL604, SM81, CEMC6
http://www.ffts.com/music/shootout4.htm

SM81, NT-1a, SP B3, MXL604
http://www.ffts.com/music/shootout2.htm

SM81, SP B3, MXL604
http://www.ffts.com/music/shootout.htm

For recording two or more guitars, or a guitar with other instruments, I prefer to single mic each guitar. I only record in stereo if the guitar is solo, and sometimes when recording one singer and one guitar. Even then I often prefer a single mic on guitar. To do M/S recording, you will need a Figure 8 mic (M/S stereo sounds pretty good on guitar). In your $ range, the M179 (LDC multipattern) and MXL 604 or Pulsar II (SDC) might give you a budget M/S setup.

 

[dgatwood]

For something like a djembe, I't probably be inclined to use a couple of dynamic mics---one near the head, one near the floor---and blend to suit.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Treeline]

I've had good results with a single 603s on acoustic aimed at the octave fret (never, never at the soundhole). But these are really fragile mics. I've also had decent results with a Studio Projects B1 used for recording and for live solo work. I think the trick is simply to experiment as each guitar, guitarist, mic placement and room will affect the result. But if you do not have a large diaphragm condenser mic, consider some combination of large and small to pick up variety. So - a 603s and a B1 combination would be my choice. I don't use multipattern mics often; my C3 is usually an omni and most eveything else is cardioid. So for general purposes save a little money and get the B1.

Also check out the Naiant mics. I have some of the first ones (4 MSH1s and an MSH4 - teeny tube mic!) and they're pretty good on acoustic instruments. Much less expensive than LDCs.

 

[santiu]

To do M/S recording, you will need a Figure 8 mic (M/S stereo sounds pretty good on guitar). In your $ range, the M179 (LDC multipattern) and MXL 604 or Pulsar II (SDC) might give you a budget M/S setup.

If you're interested in M/S. I've gotten pretty decent results with a MXL 603 and CAD M179 combo in the past.

 

[cavedog101]

I have a SP B3 and an MXL 604 and have tried many shootouts on guitar. You really need a mic with a flat (not hyped in the highs) frequency response.

I think the B3 sounds downright awful on guitar - scooped mids with highs that are too harsh and bright (and a little distorted). The more I try it the worse it sounds to me on guitar, although I like it on female and child vocals. I would highly recommend the MXL 604 over the B3 for the guitar and drums, if those were your two choices. If you wanted a large multipattern budget condenser, I would recommend the CAD M179 over the B3, especially for the drums.

I have always gotten better sound from the SDCs than LDCs for guitar and drums - SDCs capture the faster dynamics better. For around $150, you can get an M-Audio Pulsar II SDC that I liked pretty well - maybe better than the $200 Rode NT5 in this shootout (http://hearthegear.com/a/66-Acoustic_Guitar_M-Audio_Pulsar_II_microphone.php) . In your price range, you should compare Pulsar and MXL 604 if you have a way to do it.

For guitar and drums, I have to say, though, saving up for an SM81 ($350) or Peluso CEMC6 ($300) would give you much better sound. You might be interested in these mic shootouts on acoustic guitar:

SM57, MXL604, SM81, CEMC6
http://www.ffts.com/music/shootout4.htm

SM81, NT-1a, SP B3, MXL604
http://www.ffts.com/music/shootout2.htm

SM81, SP B3, MXL604
http://www.ffts.com/music/shootout.htm

For recording two or more guitars, or a guitar with other instruments, I prefer to single mic each guitar. I only record in stereo if the guitar is solo, and sometimes when recording one singer and one guitar. Even then I often prefer a single mic on guitar. To do M/S recording, you will need a Figure 8 mic (M/S stereo sounds pretty good on guitar). In your $ range, the M179 (LDC multipattern) and MXL 604 or Pulsar II (SDC) might give you a budget M/S setup.

I really liked this little shoot-out and the pictures of the mic positions made even more reliable as a tool.

Nice sounding guitar BTW. I didnt think the B3 sounded all that bad on those clips. Kinda 'woody'. The SM81 was the most 'natural' and I was surprised at the 57 but it was through a decent pre and chain, which goes to prove the point that has been made for many years, that you havent really heard a 57 until you hear it through a great preamp.

I really love the Peluso. I gotta get me one of those.

The NT-1 and the 604 were usable but not great if I was looking at a solo instrumental. However they might be good in a dense mix.

 

[dgatwood]

Agreed with the suggestion of Naiants for acoustic guitar. Djembe, like I said, dynamics. I'd definitely pull out an Oktava MK-012 for the singing bowl. See the blind sound test on the porcelain bell from a couple of years ago, and you'll get a good feel for that sort of thing.

I wouldn't pick a 603 or a B3 for any of those applications, but for the price of a B3, you could get a single used MK-012 that would be reasonable for any of those things. I'd still probably add at least one, maybe two Naiant mics to give you a second SDC for guitar purposes. Or just get the Naiant pair and a decent dynamic mic for the drum miking.