SDC for acoustic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ember
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Ember

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I know this topic is probably a little beaten to death, but I wanted some opinions on my specific choices and If anyone had experience with the range of acoustics i will be using. So basically tomorrow I will be heading to my local guitar center to test these mics out and see how they sound to me, I was just hoping I could get a little user input before I went down there.

Mics:
Sure KSM 137
Sure SM81
Audio Technica AT4041

and originally I was looking at an AKG C1000s and a Rode NT5 but I kinda have strayed away from those choices due to a lot of bad things I was hearing about the C1000s and because I've heard the sound is a lot better on the three mics that I have listed than the NT5. I'll be using the SDC to record mostly taylor guitars and a couple of martins as well. So any opinions would be great thanks.
 
I use the Shure SM81 along with (depending on what the purpose of the acoustic in the song is) either my Sputnik, U87, or C414's...

I haven't used the others on acoustic guitar. What's the rest of your setup?
 
Using a Firebox, Tube MP project series Pre, dbx 266XL comp, AKG perception 200 (vocals), have a MXL 990 sitting around that i rarely ever use, SM57, and i think thats about all.

i used to do a lot of live sound work and now im just getting into amateur recording stuff, college student so budget is limited, but basically im looking for a nice acoustic guitar mic and something that i'll be able to use to record other instruments later. I love the sound of the Perception 200 on my vocals but not so much on acoustic. Budget is topped out around 350 though but possible a little more.
 
Personally, I prefer the Audio Technica SDs to the Shure SDs, but that is, of course a personal thing. Many people like the SM81s too, but I've generally preferred the ATs. The 4041 is a very good mic for the price. 8th Street used to offer them at a highly discounted price. I'd also call Full Compass and ask for their best price. You will typically only see MAP pricing on the web.

If you are willing to buy in the used market, you may even be able to pick up a 4051 or 4053 within your price range (@$250 used). Those are excellent mics and keep good company with Neumann 184s, Josephson C42s and the like. The AT mics tend to be flatter than many other brands which are a bit more hyped. That's a good thing in my opinion. At any rate, you are doing the right thing by going and trying them out to see what sounds good to you.
 
I have no personal experience with these mics, but the SM81 and the AT4041 are highly regarded by many.

FWIW, 8thstreet sells the 4041 in pairs with cables for $450 or a single (Bulk-Pak) for $220.
 
i'm always iffy on used things, and also i'm iffy on getting a mic shipped to me. Maybe this is ridiculous but I'd rather test a mic and see how it hears in the store and then buy exactly that mic rather than order one or something like that.

I hear a lot of good things about both of these mics and I hear that the sm81 is kinda like a must have studio mic but i guess i'll see when I test the two of them out tomorrow.

If anyone else has experience with these two mics I'd love to hear specifically why they like each one. thanks a lot guys.

also if anyone had any suggestions in the same price range i'd be glad to hear them.
 
Ember said:
also if anyone had any suggestions in the same price range i'd be glad to hear them.
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Peluso CEMC 6
Oktava MC-012 with Joly mod
Groove Tube GT44 (if you can find them)
 
+1 on the GT-44/AM-40 mic. I have a pair of these I like to use for acoustic instruments. FWIW, I personally have never been particularly enamored of the SM81. While some people do like them, I'd never consider them a "must have" recording mic.
 
many people like the SM81's but I find them harsh on the top end personally. A forum member suggested Peluso CEMC6's, so I went with them, & I find them very balanced and accurate. AT4041's get great reviews as well, but I have yet to compare.
 
well i went with the sm81 and after a quick preliminary test i love it. The guy at guitar center gave me a good deal and told me that i could exchange it if i wanted for a different mic (which is against their return policy so i'm pretty happy :)) so for now im going with the sm81 and might swap for another one in the near future just to give it a test drive.
 
I was going to stay quiet, since I always sing the same song on this -- I think the SM81 is really good for this purpose if you have a full, nice sounding guitar.
 
antichef said:
I was going to stay quiet, since I always sing the same song on this -- I think the SM81 is really good for this purpose if you have a full, nice sounding guitar.
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yea my guitar has a nice deep sound to it and I also think the SM81 is great for my purpose.
 
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