Mics for recording cello and acoustic guitar - $300 budget

  • Thread starter Thread starter mellotron
  • Start date Start date
M

mellotron

New member
I'm going to be recording myself on vocals, cello and acoustic guitar with a Tascam 40GB 8 track. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
 
Normally, I would recommend a SDC for your instruments, and a LDC for the vocals. So, you might thing about some of the "combo" packs that include one, or more, of both types of mics. I know that AT, AKG, CAD, and probably many others offer what some call "studio packs", or names sorta like that. I know, for certain, that AT has a combo that includes one 20XX LDC and one 20XX SDC in the same package for around $250US.
 
I would look into the Naiant msh-1's. I love these things on acoustic guitar. Jon has sound clips up also.

naiant.com
 
Wow, the Naiant does sound really good on guitar. And I can't believe how little money I'd have to shell out for two of them.

What would you recommend for piano and a hand drum like a djembe? I've been hearing good things about the AT 2020. Or I could just use Naiants for them. I'm also considering the MXL 992/993 or AT2020/2021, which is going for $150.
 
Last edited:
I think the MSH-1 pair would be a good choice. For a < $50 you have yourself a very nice pair of SD omnis--good for acou guit and probably cello too. For vocals I would also go for a cardioid LD like the AT 2020 or the Studio Projects B1. Both are respected budget LDs.

You will need phantom power though.
 
not a big fan of those mxl mics.
you can co better for sure.

the msh's are good.

and you should really consider this
http://oktava.com/inc/sdetail/3030

and if you can find one used, an at 4033 will really make you happy in that price range.
and excellent acu, cello and vox mic too.
 
I'm a fan of LDCs on cello. YMMV. I also found the AT2020 to be nice on cello; it's sort of a MDC, I'd say, being in that range between half an inch and an inch.

On grand piano, I use a Shure VP88, but obviously that's not in the $300 range. I've used a pair of MSH-1 mics, and that sounds reasonable. On upright, I like a pair of MSH-4 mics. They take the edge off a little.

For djembe... it would depend on the size, IMHO.

For a larger drum, probably a large diaphragm dynamic like a kick mic.

For a medium size... well, my best conga sounds came from an old Shure Unisphere III, so for something more on that scale, that's an option. (The Unisphere III is pretty similar to an SM58, but a bit less tubby, IMHO.) There's not much high frequencies in that, so everything the Shure dynamics roll off tends to pretty much be noise anyway. I'd imagine that would do well for a similarly-sized djembe, too.

For smaller hand drums closer to the size of bongos, I've been happy with an AT2020.
 
giraffe said:
and you should really consider this
http://oktava.com/inc/sdetail/3030
Click to expand...

Holy crap, that's overpriced. That's almost as much as both my MK-012 mics cost combined. :D I suggest buying used on eBay, though you do have to be careful to look for signs of the craptastic Guitar Center Chinese knock-offs.

Beyond that, though, a pair of MK-012 mics is great for overheads as-is because they reduce harshness from the cymbals somewhat compared with an SDC with a flatter response. I'm not sure I'd use them for more general recording, though, as they strike me as somewhat dark. YMMV.

Love the Naiants on guitar.
 
I regularly record 'cello. I don't have top end gear of any description but I get a reasonable sound from:
An old LaGrange Dynamic mic - not bad & better than a 57;
A Naiant MSH 1 - really, really good results - a matched pair would be a great asset
& showing my lo fi roots - my fave is a pair of old Sony ECM 19bs - not the cleanest sound but the colouration and characteristics match 'cello well & the results are always pleasant.
If you suss out the links to my soundclick & listen to Sandcatles 1811, Silent Waltz, & Gimli's lament (particularly this last one) you can hear the 19bs & la Grange & make up your own mind.
The stuff with the MSH is mre recent and on another site but they are highly recommended.
 
Okay, now that I have more money, I'm setting my budget at $400. I'm going to get two MSH1's + an LD for vocals.

I'm considering the MXL V63M, largely because it comes free with a PreSonus Firebox (I'm going to get an interface instead of a standalone multitracker) for $300 on musiciansfriend.

Is a splitter what I'd need if I wanted to use three mics at once for recording piano?

If I feel like I need to upgrade from the MXL, which probably won't be anytime soon, I'll save up for an AT 4040.
 
4033 dammit, 4033.

stay away from the mxl's for the most part.
the msh's are ten times the mic for a tenth of the price!
 
If you like this -



I can tell you how I got that sound.
 
Last edited:
Nice, how did you get the sound, and how much did it cost?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top