Wat Mic Is Best For Acoustic Guitar>> Under 100 ?

[lbcstudios]

hey.. i wanted to mic acoustic guitar for a band... i have no idea wat mic to use.. i never haev done this before... i have a nady mic set for micing drums... but i dont think those are good for acoustic guitar.. i dnot got much money.. under 100 maybe? or close.. any help is appreciated

 

[tomleblanc]

I'd say go with the Marshall (MXL) 603s small diaphragm condenser. You can find one new for around $70-$80.

Others would tell you to get an Oktava MC-012. However, they're generally a little more money, not as flattering for acoustic guitar, and arguably subject to poor quality control, so you're more apt to get a lemon.

By the way, is this for live use or for studio recording?

 

[DJL]

I don't know which microphone for under a $100 is BEST for acoustic guitar...... but, one of my favorites is the Marshall MXL603S.

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=7910&Category=Microphones

 

[willovercome]

the tried and true sm57 is one of my favorites. if you want an old 'woody' sort of sound it's pretty cool, and around $70.

 

[lbcstudios]

mic

hey.. its used for studio use only.... i want a reliable well known brand that can get good quality

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Shure... SM57.... get the Beta version if you want a bit more top-gloss...

 

[DJL]

I was just looking at the pictures of Blue Bear Sound the other day.......... very nice.

 

[Gidge]

my top 5 in order:

1 - Marshall MXL v93M
2 - Marshall MXLv67G
3 - Marshall MXL603
4 - Studio Projects B1
5 - Behringer ECM8000

 

[chessrock]

You guys gotta' be high.

This one's such a no-brainer: Marshall mxl603.

 

[invisiblemute]

High as a kite

Just got the V93 and V67. After preliminary tests I like the V93 on guitar a lot. I use the V67 on vocals. But I've yet to use the famed 603. How does it sound in comparison to the other two I have? I've seen all of them recommended but I'm not sure if it's something I shoud forget about considering what I have already or if it would really add something.

SM57 on acoustic guitar? Can a cheap dynamic mic really pick up the nuances of an acoustic performance especially without a decent pre?

 

[alfalfa]

my top 5 in order:

1 - Marshall MXL v93M
2 - Marshall MXLv67G
3 - Marshall MXL603
4 - Studio Projects B1
5 - Behringer ECM8000

Gidge, I have read quite a few posts saying that they didnt get great results with the v67 on acoustic guitar (though great on vocals). Could you give us a little more info on why you prefer it over your mxl603, SP B1 and ECM8000. Cheers.

 

[wjgypsy]

Like said, the marshall mxl603. One is good, but i've got 2, so i can stereo mic the guitar. i place one about 4-5" off the 15th fret and the other one about 4-5" above the strings below the sound hole. make sure that both mics are 4-5" each, or you'll have phasing.

 

[tdukex]

I would rarely disagree with Bruce, but I do agree with willovercome. If you are looking for a nice woody sound with not a lot of the subtle complexities of sound the acoustic can have then the 57 will do the trick. Some people use it in combination with other mics. By itself on solo acoustic I find the 57 rather dull. In a mix it can do fine, and you can also use it on guitar cabs and percussion, so it is a very versatile mic.

However, for a single mic on solo acoustic or in sparse arrangements where you really want to hear the acoustic, the MXL603 is the best IMO.

I like the Oktava also, and you can buy an additional omni cap for it. So it is a great value.

The ECM8000 has served me well in combination with the 603 on some recordings. I wouldn't use it by itself unless it's all I had.

 

[chessrock]

After preliminary tests I like the V93 on guitar a lot. I use the V67 on vocals. But I've yet to use the famed 603. How does it sound in comparison to the other two I have?

I've owned and used both, and although I appreciated the bass rolloff on the v93, there was still no comparison.

With the notable exception of the oktava mc012, the 603 pretty much embarrasses anything else under $100 on accoustic, in my not-so-humble opinion (perhaps even $500 -- I like the akg c451b better, overall, but it's still close) It's kind of like asking what's the best compressor on the market for under $200 (?) Duh.

 

[Teacher]

You guys gotta' be high.
This one's such a no-brainer: Marshall mxl603.

i know i am

 

[sae]

On a side note:

How good is Marshall Electronics in quality control. I have heard (thru a store that sells mostly AKG) that Marshall has bad quality control and it's likely that you can get a lemon. He was saying that 1/2 of the people he talked to said they have had problems with those mics.

Anyone ever had any problems?

 

[eeldip]

a great safe bet is also the AT pro37r. not a flavor of the month mic. or maybe it was one a few years ago. (it was the mxl 603 of '99). and from a company with that has a slightly better rep for quality control.

it has an affected sound in a really great way for some instruments. some very very respectable engineers use them.



i got mine for $99 new from somewhere i dont remember.

read this glowing post:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=w...d40.da271d01@usw-ex0106-044.remarq.com&rnum=1

 

[tdukex]

On a side note:

How good is Marshall Electronics in quality control. I have heard (thru a store that sells mostly AKG) that Marshall has bad quality control and it's likely that you can get a lemon. He was saying that 1/2 of the people he talked to said they have had problems with those mics.

Anyone ever had any problems?

Sounds like salesman bullshit to me. Before Harvey began recommending some of the Marshall mics he made sure the QC was consistent. Out of the hundreds and hundreds--if not thousands-- of posts here about Marshall mics I have a hard time remembering any regarding QC issues, although as with ANY product, there are bound to be some.

 

[tigerbomb]

I've bought a fair number of mics both new and used, and both expensive and not.

I hardly ever make comparisons or try to pick the best one out of a pile. But I've yet to end up with a dud that I couldn't use. May be I'm just lucky.

One of my favorite SD condenser for acoutic guitar happens to be Oktava MC012 with cardioid capsule. Bought for $70 used. See them for around $100 new now and then.

 

[Treeline]

I figure that the real answer is that if you're going to be doing this, you need to have both the SM57 and the 603s. I have both; they are different animals but each is a heart stopper - even more so because of the price. I use the 603 with acoustic instruments everywhere I can get away with it, but I carry an SM57 in my guitar case. The 603 flat out knocks my socks off when paired with a DMP3 preamp on an acoustic guitar - one is all you need - two are better. But you can drop the SM57 on the stage, pick it up and keep going.

If you have only a hundred bucks - buy the SM57 first. Then get a 603s and a shockmount (it'll fit the SM57 as well) with the rent money. It'll all come together with a decent preamp.