Microphone for acoustic guitar

[DJ_Mixhousedude]

OK, I've been researching this for a while now, but there's so many different mics its hard to know which to buy.

Vocals aside, is the SHURE SM57 the best as a budget mic for amplifying an acoustic guitar? I'd imagine an LDC would be better, because they're more sensitive... I'm looking at definitely under €150, but preferably around €100-€120.

And I have a Dean Markley ProMag Grand, but no preamp for it. So recording sounds like a tin can. What's the best acoustic preamp under €100? All this will go into a Yamaha MG 10/2, because apparently its better than my original idea of a Behringer UB1002. Then into my PC (factory soundcard, PCI, don't even know the make.)

I'm after a nice clean, acoustic sound, which will pick up fingernoise and me slapping the guitar etc etc.

What happens when you mic a guitar with pickup? Interference, right? Cuz it takes 0.001 secs for the sound to reach the mic or something?

Help?

 

[DJL]

OK, I've been researching this for a while now, but there's so many different mics its hard to know which to buy.

Vocals aside, is the SHURE SM57 the best as a budget mic for amplifying an acoustic guitar? I'd imagine an LDC would be better, because they're more sensitive... I'm looking at definitely under €150, but preferably around €100-€120.

And I have a Dean Markley ProMag Grand, but no preamp for it. So recording sounds like a tin can. What's the best acoustic preamp under €100? All this will go into a Yamaha MG 10/2, because apparently its better than my original idea of a Behringer UB1002. Then into my PC (factory soundcard, PCI, don't even know the make.)

I'm after a nice clean, acoustic sound, which will pick up fingernoise and me slapping the guitar etc etc.

What happens when you mic a guitar with pickup? Interference, right? Cuz it takes 0.001 secs for the sound to reach the mic or something?

Help?

If your on a tight budget... I recommend the Marshall Electronics MXL603S mic for acoustic guitar.

 

[chessrock]

What happens when you mic a guitar with pickup? Interference, right? Cuz it takes 0.001 secs for the sound to reach the mic or something?

It just kinda' sounds like ass. No real explanation for it. Accoustic Guitars just sound better when mic'ed.

 

[tsphillips]

I also vote for the 603S. I have used that many times on stage. But I recently saw someone playing a small, 12-fret 00 Martin and using a large diaphragm Rode NT-1A and it sounded FANTASTIC. So I got one of those too.

As for issues using a pickup and mike together, Leo Kottke used a mike and a pickup together for years. Usually a Sure SM-81 with a Sunrise soundhole pickup. Though he will switch to a bridge pickup, depending on the acoustics of the hall. He has not been using the mike in recent years however, gettin lazy as he gets older. Too bad.

Guitars just sound so much better with a mike there is simply no comparison. I play smaller venues in NYC so I can get away with only using a mike when ever possible.

I do not know if there is a signal delay when you use a mike and a pickup together. But I do know David Lindley uses two different kind of pickups and specifically sets up his rig so there is a very slight delay between the two signals hitting the audience, for that "bigger than life sound".

I also have used the Marshall 603S with a Baggs I-Beam pickup, to get a stereo sound out of my two channel amp. It works great. The mike just makes the unwound strings of an acoustic guitar sound, well, like an acoustic guitar. Something no pickup ever made has been able to accomplish.

 

[DJ_Mixhousedude]

OK, so what's the best site to get mics anyway? I know there's Thomann, but are their t.bone mics any good? They definitely look great, and nice price too. I'd prefer a condenser mic to a dynamic, from what i've read. The Behringer B1 was my first choice, but I hear its poor.

 

[artCROSS]

i've gotten the best results by stereo micing with 2 mxl603s XY config (you could look up this technique on google). However, before then, i was using a Studio Projects B1 and it was very acceptable. Don't confuse it with the Behringer B1 though, not the same!

 

[artCROSS]

THough i haven't tried it myself, i hear some people use a mic AND a pickup to get a more textured sound

 

[Warhead]

If you're on a real tight budget, finding one of the Oktava MC012's (or two) in good shape would be a great score for acoustic guitar!

War

 

[bbop73]

I agree Warhead. Oktava mc012's are excellent for the price. I have just one and it sounds way better than my mxl 2003 on acoustic guitar.

 

[Big Kenny]

You wanna get some more replies? What is your budget?

 

[flatcat]

The Oktavas are nice.

If you want a good all-round mic, not just for acoustic guitar, but for a variety of things, I'd suggest an AT4033. I got one used for $150.

 

[DJ_Mixhousedude]

Budget would be under €150. Do you have to be right up against a LDC with the guitar or can you just kinda face it? So, for vocals, could you just stand away from the mic and it would pick up both guitar and vocals?

 

[gordone]

Mic placement is very important with acoustic guitars. Unless you have an Omni pattern mic, you DON'T want to stick the mic too close to the guitar (especially the soundhole) or you'll get a big boomy mess. You can get good results with one mic (large OR small condenser) to record both guitar and vocals. Listen to my original tunes (and my cover of Jerusalem) on http://www.evangordon.com. They were all quick recordings done with one Soundelux U97. You have to experiement with the "sweet spot" to get a good balance between the two sources. You also want to make sure your recording space is somewhat acoustically treated (I have Auralex foam on the walls of a smallish bedroom)
Good luck!

Budget would be under €150. Do you have to be right up against a LDC with the guitar or can you just kinda face it? So, for vocals, could you just stand away from the mic and it would pick up both guitar and vocals?

 

[DJ_Mixhousedude]

I think I'm gonna go with the Oktava MK012. €125 seems a good price. I'm not sure should I be asking this in the mic section, but what's the best preamp for an acoustic bridge pickup? Will mic preamps do the job?

 

[Big Kenny]

Sans Amp or Presonos Acoustiq. This is the only presonus item I have ever liked (not that I've tried 'em all) I use it live and for recording. I don't use it often though because I prefer a condenser for recording