mic's for recording a acoustic guitar?

yeahok · Post by **yeahok** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:02 am

I want to record some acoustic based stuff but need a mic to do it with.

Any suggestions? I haven't got the biggest budget in the world but as long as it does the job fairly well then I'm happy.

Thanks in advance...

Cryabetes · Post by **Cryabetes** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:22 pm

first mic? does your mixer/interface have phantom power? if it doesn't, get a Shure PG81. If it does, buy a cheap large diaphragm condensor mic (studio projects b3, mxl 990, or, if your budget is really small, the Behringer C1 or C3)

downsides to the condensors: can't gig with them. They'll feedback like a motherfucker if you get them near a speaker they're connected to.

downsides to the PG81: runs with a AA battery (although they last for a good long time- I didn't realize mine had a battery in it the first two years I owned it), cardiod pickup pattern [not a big deal, but remember you do have to position it.]

yeahok · Post by **yeahok** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:41 pm

I actually used to have a condensor mic awhile back but it wasn't that great - a rushed purchase & I can't even find it now!

Cheers for the reply though, I'll look into some of those asap.

Cryabetes · Post by **Cryabetes** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 11:08 pm

what are you using for a preamp?

Kiwibaws · Post by **Kiwibaws** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:15 am

Laptop mic? My built in one is shite but with a little Eq it sounded just right =] You won't get the stupid levels of clarity but who said you needed to?

Jonse · Post by **Jonse** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:38 pm

Got one of these: http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Session-M ... B000WHAMQ8

For the price, the microphone is very clear. Just record what you need from a slight distance, amplify it, EQ it, master it and there you go.

machinea · Post by **machinea** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:08 am

what is your budget? and do you have a preamp of some sort?

yeahok · Post by **yeahok** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:54 am

Thanks for the further replies.

I am pretty much about to get a couple of Samson C02 condenser mics. Not sure if anyone here has used them but they seem to fit my budget right now (around £75)

Oh & I just plug it straight into my old multitrack cassette recorder.

machinea · Post by **machinea** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 12:10 pm

I was going to say a large diaphragm condenser like Studio Projects B1, or for ribbon cascade fathead. I just bought a Golden Age Projects R1 MkIII for $220 US. I haven't tried it out on the guitar yet but have liked it for vocals. It was rated very well by sound on sound in a shoot out with royers and coles. In fact on vocals it came in third place out of 10 or so mics. The two that beat it were 5x the price.

Occasionally I want a brighter sound on my guitar but generally I like recording with ribbons because some of the high frequencies are cut out.

I've been doing a ton of mic research lately because I'm going to buy a few for my studio. I like looking at gearsluz low end awards. It's a great place to start when on a budget.

Also if you don't have a preamp I would look at the AT2020 USB. great price and very highly rated mic.

Cryabetes · Post by **Cryabetes** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:26 pm

remember, you'll need a phantom power supply to use condensors if you multitracker doesn't have that.