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dezb1 · Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:56 pm Post subject: Mic question

condenser microphones for recording acoustic guitars: what's your weapon of choice?
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Will · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:19 am Post subject:

Pair of small-diaphragm condensers are the standard. Large-diaphragm can work, but can easily pick up too much bass and sound boxy or boomy. I've also heard of people having success with ribbon mics, but I don't know if most will pick up enough high-end. You definitely will want to record in stereo.

George · . Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 20945 Location: UK

The catch-all low cost condensor that people at varying levels of the "music industry" tend to go for is the Rodes NT1A.

ultratwin · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:42 am Post subject:

NT1A is a great ~~little~~ mic, would especially recommend since they're so affordable and sound great for the price.

I've got a RØDE NTK at both home and at the office, but have been thinking about a pair of small condensor mics for nie and roomy, single-take 'coustic recordings.

The NTK is deliciously fat and responsive when coupled with my hybrid SPL Channel1 tube preamp, but the boominess that Will mentioned is a given that I have to roll off to make usable (don't get the boxies in my setup, fortunately). In full-mix tunes where the acoustic guitar needs to be present but not too in front, My standard has always been double-tracking (panned 10:00 and 2:00), with both Chris Lord Alge's CL76 comp plug-in and then some heavy EQ'ing to boost upper mids and kill a lot of the low end.

Right now I'm hoping to save up a couple more hundred for an NT4, hearing nice things about it/them.

ultratwin · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:49 am Post subject:

Muved to weeekoding forum, since thread wasn't about cab/live setup but recording. Wink

Haze · . Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 4924 Location: Tulsa, OK

My lone ldc is a At4040, can get quite bassy but that can be controlled. I imagine I will pick up another at4040 down the road to make a pair. Any sdc overhad pair will do realy, so long as your room sounds nice and you are using good preamps (mainly the room)

Rushkoff · . Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Posts: 103 Location: Glasgow

Rode NT1-A. Toite as a tiger.
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dezb1 · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:21 pm Post subject:

ultratwin · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 6:05 am Post subject:

toez10 · . Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 329

I really like to use the Audio Technica ATM31R on acoustic guitars. Like all good condensers and recording situations though, it requires a little experimentation with each guitar to find the sound you are looking for. For a classic rhythm guitar sound, I like to place the mic 12 inches out from the fretboard, place above the twelfth fret, an angled sightly toward the sound hole.

With almost any recording situation, and any mic, placement is key. Even when using a less expensive mic, you might be able to find a prime position that really makes the acoustic guitar sound just like you want it to.

ATM31R's pop up on ebay and musicgoround fairly regularly on the cheap.

broomhandle · . Joined: 27 Dec 2011 Posts: 165

my weapon of choice:

the mic is a huge part, but i feel more than the mic, is a tube pre amp to power that mic. invest in that to get that warm full tone.

Sloan · Sexy Predator Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 11797

I have a few MXL 603s that I got for super cheap and I've been using for overheads and acoustic instruments for YEARS. I bought one pair for $70, can't beat that.

Al_ · . Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 510317 Location: Vista, CA

They're cool; and there's some fun upgrades/mods you can do to them as well.

robroe · Bon Jovi Fan Club!!1 Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 49146