Acoustic mic's for recording...

[lex666]

hey guys,

Recommend me some good mic's to record my acoustic.

I currently have a Senn e609 and that sounds great when recording electric, but for acoustic I find that it doesn't pick up very good. I have to remain very stationary in front of the mic. A little bit off center and the tone changes...

Is the Sure SM57 good for recording acoustic? Recommend me some other fine acoustic mic's...

Thanks,

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

Dynamic mics tend to SUCK on acoustic guitar. Small diaphragm condenser mics are what you are looking for. A stereo pair would be better. A single large diaphragm condenser mic can work too.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

I have to remain very stationary in front of the mic. A little bit off center and the tone changes...

That's true for ALL microphones!!!

I've used SM57's a few times when the more expensive mics were just too detailed & pretty... 57 through an old Neve or API & funky old limiter is sometimes perfect for acoustics that need to sit in a wall of sound...

How much are you looking to spend?

What kind of sound too? More full-range, solo fingerpicking or in the direction of strummy clang?

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

I don't think there is anything wrong with a SM57 for acoustics. There are tutorials on the web for mic set ups on acoustics, check them out.

 

[weisserj]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

I use the sm57 because it is all I have currently and it sounds pretty decent.

http://www.myspace.com/julianandmatt

All of those recordings (except the vocals) were done with an sm57. The acoustic guitars sound alright...

 

[lex666]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

That's true for ALL microphones!!!

I've used SM57's a few times when the more expensive mics were just too detailed & pretty... 57 through an old Neve or API & funky old limiter is sometimes perfect for acoustics that need to sit in a wall of sound...

How much are you looking to spend?

What kind of sound too? More full-range, solo fingerpicking or in the direction of strummy clang?

I'm looking for something less than $100... Something full range, most of my acoustic playing consists of strumming chords and finger appregios.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

I'm looking for something less than $100... Something full range, most of my acoustic playing consists of strumming chords and finger appregios.

I dunno then.

I'd have recommend an old AKG 451, C460 or even the new reissues... those are solid performers. Shure SM81... AT 40 series... I've got a pair of Blue Baby Bottles that sound absolutely lush on acoustics and guitar cabs too...

All of which are well over $100 even used... more like $300-500.

If $100 is all you can toss at it I'd just stick with the Sennheiser really.

 

[lex666]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

Thanks for the help guys.

Some of you have had success with the Sure SM57... maybe I'll give that a try...

I'm tempted to get one of those nice mic's you recommended, but I'm just recording as a hobby for now... Maybe when the need justifies a better mic, I'll invest in one of those you recommended.

Thanks!

 

[weisserj]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

what software/interface are you using just out of curiousity?

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

I love my AT4040 on acoustics, and it works great on most other things, as well.

If you don't have an SM57, though, you owe it to yourself to pick one up. As everyone else said, they do work pretty well on acoustics, not to mention guitars, snare, toms, and even vocals.

 

[lex666]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

what software/interface are you using just out of curiousity?

I started off with one of these zoom mic's... it worked just "ok". sounded terrible recording my electric. So I got the Senn e609 and a mixer to be able to record my electric and I can play along with music and mix them together. I then send that signal to the zoom mic's input for recording. It works pretty well for me. I haven't tried any software yet.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

I really like SM81s on acoustic guitars and occasionally on cymbals. At only 100$ though, just stick with what you have and keep playing with mic position to get it to sound the way you want. It sucks, but you'll have to stay very still when playing to a mic once you find your sweet spot for the mic.

 

[flank]

Re: Acoustic mic's for recording...

my akg c2000b sounds nice on acoustic, i got it for $70 used.