Microphone for recording acoustic guitars???

[zEr0]

So im working on an album at home and I record all my electric guitar parts straight into the soundcard with my recording preamps, but i need to record my acoustic sounds with a microphone (maybe two).

I've been trying to record using the standard "do it all" mic SHURE SM57 but I honestly don't like it at all. The mic has very low input and I have to place it so close to the sound hole that it gets in the way with my right hand.... Whenever I'm actually able to record something the sound is weak and quite muddy. I want something that really brings out the sparkling nature of acoustic guitars, not the opposite.

Im thinking a condenser mic is in order so I thought Id ask here for suggestions on what model would suit my needs better, even if this is an electric guitar forum.

Im not on a tight budget as I know what <100 dollar mics sound like already. I'd like to move on to a better sounding mic even if it costs a few hundred bucks.

Any help appreciated!

Fred

[nato101010]

I'm also interested in this.

I have a hard time recording acoustics too with a 57. For loud tube amps, its great.

A condenser mic of some sort i'd assume.

[560licious]

I just ordred a behringer C3, I'll let you know how it is next week some time.

[jemaholic]

Large-diaphram condensers work best for acoustic.
MF has decent condensers at reasonable prices. Make sure if your mic has phantom power that your rig supports phantom or it won't work.

The trick is mic placement.

One of the most effective is to place the mic (on a boom) about 6" from where the neck meets the body -not the soundhole - and angle the head to face the soundhole. Don't move during the take - a few inches changes tone and volume.

Record flat with no EQ - once you record with EQ you can't take it out and it muddies up the final mix. Good luck.
~j

[Hub]

I use a Rode nt1-a for acoustic and vocals, really nice warm sound. But the preamp is very important, sounds like you have a slightly weak preamp or something if you can't get more volume from the 57... BUT, the difference to the Rode nt-1a is enormous, it enhances the sound of the guitar, makes it better than it really is

[AxeHappy]

Definately want to use a Condenser.

I'd recommend a AKG C4000B(circa $300) for the sound hole and a Rodes NT-5(circa $3-$400 for a pair) for the fretboard. Blend as needed.

Of course if money really isn't an issue you could drop $15000 on some AKG tube mics...

[albee1952]

Some may not believe this, but I have heard incredible acoustic recordings done with a Shure Bete87. Traditionally, its a live condenser for vocals, but it can work wonders on a decent acoustic. The trick is(with ANY mic) to put on some good headphones and move around until you find the sweet spot. The AT2020 works well too(even better with a really good preamp). The Mojave MA100 is killer but a lot more money.

[560licious]

got my C-3 yesterday, but I haven't really worked with it too much..it's sensitive..I did plug it up to see if it worked. I had the level up for a regular mic and scared the cat half to death

[560licious]

The Behringer C-3 does sound very good with my acoustic. I still haven't done much with the vocal aspect of it, but here soon

[Rotti]

I use a CAD GXL 2400. It's cheap but sound good to me.

[zEr0]

I got two sm81's in the end. Not bad but Ive heard way better. Of course, it was anoter price range.

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by zEr0

I got two sm81's in the end. Not bad but Ive heard way better. Of course, it was anoter price range.

good, those won't disappoint. i would have looked at a pair of peluso cem-6's or a pair of josephson c42's, but sm81's aren't bad mics.
what are you using as preamps?

rich

[rty13ibz98]

mxl 603s for SDC's, mxl v67g for LDC's. both are pretty darn cheap and sound great. i have gotten great results from the v67g. i am not a fan of dynamic mics on AG. i personally like 3 mics on an acoustic, but have had great results with several different types of mics.
also, look into the cascade fathead ribbon mic. i use those everywhere in my studio with great results. on guitar amps, they are godly. on AG, killer, too.

btw, did a test with my apex 460 in omni due to the fact that it is the only mic that i own that is multipattern and it was awesome. had it going into a TNC ACMP-84 to a dbx 166 into sonar and it sounded insane!
can't compare it to my ribbon tracks as i wasn't looking to shootout, but it was a great sound with little proximity effect(boomy-ness).
i had the mic positioned at the 14th fret about a foot away.

rich