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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 12 2013, 08:40 PM

As you guys might've guessed, I will probably start building a nice acoustic setup and I thought I'd start with an acoustic guitar mic.

Now, I've found this article: http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Jul/18_Mics_You_Should_Meet.aspx

... but as with all the situations in which you face a lot of possibilities and you have less knowledge than you'd wish, it's always nice to ask

Does any of you guys have any experience with acoustic guitar mics? What would you recommend? Thanks a bunch!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 12 2013, 08:56 PM

Now that's a great question!! As you have seen, the sky is the limit on Mic prices so budget is always a concern. I did a TON of research and ended up choosing the

MXL 990 CONDENSER MIC

http://www.mxlmics.com/microphones/900-series/990/


It's a large diaphraghm condenser mic that uses electronics found in mics that cost wads more. MXL evidently acts as a vendor to other mic companies who build mics out of similar bits and charge waaaay more. You can get this mic with a clip and case for around 50 to 70 Euro. Some folks here bought them as well.

You can use dynamic mics for accoustic but to me they never sound as transparent or clear as a condenser mic. Now, this is NOT a 5,000 euro NEUMAN condenser, but for the price I found it impossible to beat. Even at three times the price it was still the main contender for me given it's sound quality.

The bonus is it does really well on baritone guitars even electric baritones with gain. It captures really low notes really well as well as high notes. Sounds killer on a 7 string through a Mesa



Todd

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 12 2013, 03:40 PM)

As you guys might've guessed, I will probably start building a nice acoustic setup and I thought I'd start with an acoustic guitar mic.

Now, I've found this article: http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Jul/18_Mics_You_Should_Meet.aspx

... but as with all the situations in which you face a lot of possibilities and you have less knowledge than you'd wish, it's always nice to ask

Does any of you guys have any experience with acoustic guitar mics? What would you recommend? Thanks a bunch!

Posted by: klasaine Apr 12 2013, 11:53 PM

To echo Todd ... almost any LDC (large diaphragm condensor) will work well so think about your 'realistic' budget.
Marshall, Audio Technica, AKG - so many good ones out there.
Smal diaphragm condensors (SDC) are also cool. They pick up potentially more finger noise but also increase 'detail'.
A lot of guys are using a combo of LDC and SDC now.
Positioning: VERY important. You WILL have to experiment. Start by pointing it at the 12th fret about 35 centi up and out. Need more low end: bring in and position nearer the lower bout. *This is super general.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 13 2013, 09:32 AM

Thank you Ken and Todd!

I think I can spend about 250 euros on a mic, so, after doing a little research based on the MXL 990, I also found this one:

http://www.thomann.de/ro/mxl_9000.htm

Can you tell me if it will provide a considerable difference in comparison with the MXL 990?

Thanks again guys!

Cosmin

Posted by: klasaine Apr 13 2013, 05:13 PM

'considerable' difference ... ? Probably not. Slight difference that you'll notice more and more as you get better and more particular about your acoustic sound ... yes.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 14 2013, 01:45 PM

Thanks Ken! I'll think about it and next month I'll make a purchase after getting to hear some samples, of course.. Even though, there are more elements to be taken into consideration here - the room, the guitar and the other recording variables entering the equation..

Posted by: Sensible Jones Apr 14 2013, 05:19 PM

Here are a few articles that might help you mate:-
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Jul/18_Mics_You_Should_Meet.aspx
http://www.shure.co.uk/support_download/educational_content/microphones-basics/acoustic_string_instruments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2nNXnCBKaw

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 15 2013, 07:49 AM

QUOTE (Sensible Jones @ Apr 14 2013, 04:19 PM)

Here are a few articles that might help you mate:-
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2008/Jul/18_Mics_You_Should_Meet.aspx
http://www.shure.co.uk/support_download/educational_content/microphones-basics/acoustic_string_instruments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2nNXnCBKaw

Posted by: tonymiro Apr 15 2013, 10:27 AM

QUOTE (klasaine @ Apr 12 2013, 10:53 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 15 2013, 01:36 PM

yeah Rode mics are really good, I also used some Audio technica ones that worked great for acoustic guitars.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-bin/product_search/wired_mics/mics_by_line.pl?product_line=Microphones%3A+40+Series

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 15 2013, 09:48 PM

Just checked the price on the Rode mics I need about 1200 euro ... guys? Anyone having some spare change?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 15 2013, 11:03 PM

The MXL 9000 you mentioned is a nice mic but you may not be able to hear that much difference at first between it and the cheaper version. You may consider just getting two of the cheaper version and using them to mic in stereo or play with mixing two mic angles/positions together. Really, as was mentioned, any large diagraghm condenser is a good place to start On the buget end of things BLUE makes some good mics as well. I don't own a condenser from them but I"ve been impressed with the price and recordings I've heard from them. They have a mic called the SPARK which is a really nice studio mic for about $200 Euro.

http://bluemic.com/spark/


Todd

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 15 2013, 04:48 PM)

Just checked the price on the Rode mics I need about 1200 euro ... guys? Anyone having some spare change?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 16 2013, 08:23 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Apr 15 2013, 10:03 PM)

The MXL 9000 you mentioned is a nice mic but you may not be able to hear that much difference at first between it and the cheaper version. You may consider just getting two of the cheaper version and using them to mic in stereo or play with mixing two mic angles/positions together. Really, as was mentioned, any large diagraghm condenser is a good place to start On the buget end of things BLUE makes some good mics as well. I don't own a condenser from them but I"ve been impressed with the price and recordings I've heard from them. They have a mic called the SPARK which is a really nice studio mic for about $200 Euro.

http://bluemic.com/spark/


Todd