Recording Acoustic Guitar

[wescattle]

At home i usually use my Rode condenser for my acoustic but here at college, i need a dynamic mic to record my acoustic. I can do two tracks at once and already have an SM57 which i plan on using for vocals (or should i use that on the guitar and get a diff. vocal mic?).

Should i get another sm57 and use one for vocals and one for acoustic. I'm fairly new in the dynamic mic market and have not really explored it much.

Thanks

(in other words, best dynamic mic for an acoustic other than an sm57)

[kludge]

Dynamics generally aren't preferred for acoustics, as they roll off the highs and lose a lot of the subtle detail that makes acoustic guitars interesting. Doesn't mean they aren't useful! In a busy mix, a dynamic mic can make for a punchier guitar sound. But it may sound dull to you.

One dynamic I've used successfully on acoustic guitar is the Electro-Voice RE16. They're long out of production, but you can find them used. But honestly, I think you'll be better off with a $29 ART "toob" mic preamp from Musician's Friend and the cheapest Chinese condenser you can find, rather than a SM57 or other dynamic.

[wescattle]

Well heres the thing, i'm using a tascam 4 track tape recorder, so i don't really need pristine acoustic recording, just something good that doesent need phantom power (48v).

[drfrankencopter]

How about a battery powered condensor? I know they're out there....but I wouldn't be able to recommend a brand/model outright.

One thing to be aware of though if you plan on recording guitar and voice at the same time is of phase issues when combining the two mic signals. You're probably best off trying to get both mics in about the same physical position...likely sort of a mid point between your mouth and the 12th fret of the guitar, with the vocal mic pointing up, and the guitar mic pointing at the 12th fret. Mic pattern would ideally be fig-8 here (Blumlein), as they have pretty strong nulls, and no 'lobes'...but a hypercardiod might be ok too (unfortunately a 57 is a wide pattern cardiod).

If you're recording guitar and vocal at different times, then none of this stuff applies...

Cheers

Kris