Recommended mic's for acoustic fingerstyle playing?

[Ricklh]

I've been recording to a 30-dollar Behringer cardiod mike and it's hell trying to place the mic to avoid the boominess of the guitar's bass notes. Any recommendations for a good microphone that records acoustic guitar well, but still under a hundred bucks? Shure SM-57, maybe?

 

[scrubs]

I'd stick with a condenser for acoustic. A small diaphragm condenser, like the MXL 603s, can be had for under $100. I have a pair and that's what I use them for. In large diaphragm condensers, I've heard some nice acoustic tracks made with the Studio Projects B1, also under $100.

 

[Ricklh]

I'd stick with a condenser for acoustic. A small diaphragm condenser, like the MXL 603s, can be had for under $100. I have a pair and that's what I use them for. In large diaphragm condensers, I've heard some nice acoustic tracks made with the Studio Projects B1, also under $100.

I did a search on the MXL's and found that Sam Ash carries them for $99 each. Thanks for the reply - I'll probably pick me up one, especially after reading Harvey Guerst's comments.

 

[XLR]

it's hell trying to place the mic to avoid the boominess of the guitar's bass notes

Where have you been positioning the mic? How close to the guitar?

You probably already know about avoiding the soundhole with a cardioid, and about proximity effect intensifying the low frequencies.

As far as good mic's for under $100, the 603 is good, also the MXL V67 (a little more mellow), also the Behringer ECM8000, which is an omni and gets a good but different kind of sound.

Tim

 

[tdukex]

I think most condensers will give you a pretty good acou guit sound. I use and like both the MXL 603s and the Oktava MC012. I have used the ECM 8000 (using the over-the-shoulder technique and as part of a spaced pair near the bout), and it has worked also.

 

[Ricklh]

Where have you been positioning the mic? How close to the guitar?

Tim

I've tried many different positions and still haven't quite got that sound I'm looking for so I figured it must be the low cost mic I'm using.

 

[Guitar Jim]

I record my acoustic lap slide guitar ( it's a deep bodied, Weissenborn style, hollowneck instrument ) with a Studio Projects B1 mic.
The guitar is a very big sounding guitar with a big bassy tone. As long as I don't place the mic real close I get a really natural recorded tone that doesn't overemphasise the guitar's bass response.

 

[sloop]

guitar mics

I just got in from recording a couple of players. I had my 603's on one guitar and a pair of Shure SM81's on the other guitar. If I had to pick a pair for guitars--I would take the 603's. They are both good mics for acoustic work, I just prefer the sound of the 603's.

 

[Phyl]

An SM57 can actually work quite well for acoustic guitar recording. I found that it works good in situations where I want the guitar to dominate the center of the mix a little.

Try positioning one mic about 12" from the neck joint; angle it toward or away from the sound hole to increase/decrease the bass content. If you have two mics, put the other about 12" away from the bridge. Pan left and right.