mic angle

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Krystof01

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For optimum results when recording accoustic guitar at what angle roughly should my mics be?;downward/upward facing etc. I am using a SM57 and a NT-1.

Also would you say to use the SM for the sound hole and the NT-1 about a foot away or the other way around?
cheers.
 
The answer is: experiment.

It depends on the guitar, the mics, the preamp, the room, and probably your star sign as well. This week I played around with different angles and mic directions with my acoustic than I'd been using, and I got a way better sound than I'd had before. (For my guitar, I'm getting a better sound with my AKG C1000 pointed at a spot a bit above the sound hole, about 45 degrees off centre, about 6" above and 8 " out from the sound hole.) I'm doing something else again with my Rode NT1. I didn't find this better sound until I took the time to play around and experiment.

They talk about finding the 'sweet spot' for any particular mic and any particular guitar. They're not kidding.
 
Quite true. I used to record my coustic with an AKG directed at the sound hole at a steep angle from the right.

Now with my Oktava, that sounded like crap!
I'm currently aiming it behind the soundhole from straigth ahead... Haven't finished experimenting though. :)
 
regebro - which MC012 capsule you using for that? I've heard the omni works well over your right sholder (if you're right-handed) angled down and pointed toward the frets.

I don't have the Oktava, but I'm interested.
 
Uhh... is it the MC 012 that you've got?

[This message has been edited by dobro (edited 07-01-2000).]
 
I like an AT4033 about two feet from the guitar and around an inch off axis with the soundhole. (I prefer a really quiet room so you can pick up those subtletees and boost the mic gain a little) You may also try experimenting with a mixture of yer pickup and mics (if your acoustic has one)

Really though....EXPERIMENT, taste varies. :D
 
regebro:

Where'd you get your Oktava from? Please say The Sound Room.

Also, if it's an MC-012 that you tried, the cardioid cap for the MC-012 has quite a hefty amount of proximity effect in the first place. Pointing it directly toward the soundhole, remotely close, will obviously just create MEGO BOOMiness; which I must agree, sounds like crap! Try the omni.
 
I like the sound from near the sound-hole on my budget acoustic. I back the mic off 1 to 2 feet, cut some low mids, and use a high-pass @75Hz before hitting "tape" (hard drive) to offset the boominess. Sometimes I don't want all the pick noise, so I'll move things around. YMMV.
 
Dobro: No, its the MK-319.

And no, it's not the sound room, why?

[This message has been edited by regebro (edited 07-02-2000).]
 
Oktava mics are notorious for low quality control. The Sound Room is famous for two things: vetting all the Oktava mics it sells, plus slightly higher prices for performing that reliable service.

But you don't have to buy Oktavas from the Sound Room if:

a) you listen to the mic before you buy it

b) you're lucky
 
Or :
3. If you live in Stockholm and
4. Get a deal for a MK-319 + ART Tube MP for $250!
:p

Although I didn't get the Custom Polished Cedar Box. But I'm happy with my plastic case anyway. It has a handle. :)
 
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