What are arguably the best mics for micing classical guitars?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FattMusiek
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FattMusiek

FattMusiek

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I have an upcoming recording session scheduled for two very good guitarists who play classical and jazz music. I have little experience recording those genres (I record a lot of rock music) and I'm wondering if my mic selection will suffice. My mics are:

Oktava MK012 x2
Shure SM57 x2
Shure Beta 52
Audix F-10 x3
Audix F-12
Audix F-15 x2

What mics do you suggest I use to mic a nylon string classical guitar from what I listed? If you don't think I have the proper mics, feel free to suggest a mic or two that fits the job; maybe I can do some last minute mic shopping. I've searched similar threads for information about mic selection
and mic placement but I decided to make my own for more direct advice.

Thanks for your time!
 
out of your selection, i'd say the small condensers (oktavas). condensers definitely capture more of the nuances of the instrument. if you have a large condenser you may like that better on the body. i think most people would use condensers on any acoustic instrument (except maybe very loud, transient stuff)
 
Thanks for the reply. I listed the Oktavas first because I knew they were probably the best choice. I'm still open for suggestions!
 
I've had good luck with the Oktavas in a vertical X-Y just "north" of the hole...
 
i'm gonna say soheps just cause i suspect someone would eventually.
 
Massive Master - Could you elaborate a bit more on your experiences with those mic positions? I need to record these guys simultaneously but I only have two Oktavas.

Giraffe - What are "soheps"?
 
Just turn a horizontal X-Y pair vertically - One pointing slightly upward, one slightly downward, around the 15 fret, pointed slightly toward to the soundhole.

Won't do you much good if you need to record both at the same time, though...
 
Clip

I used an Oktava MK012 and an Audix F-15 in an X-Y pattern around the 15th fret and got some pretty good results. I think it could be a bit warmer, so next time I think I'll point the mics more towards the sound hole. The guitar was a Takamine; the guitarist who is playing in this clip is going to use his $4,000 classical guitar for the recording sessions. I think there is much room for improvement! Here's my first mix:



I'm going to post this in the clinic so hopefully I get more opinions.
 
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