SM-81 ???

[jrm]

Hi all,

I've been lookign for a nice mic for recording acoustic guitar. I've been reading great things about the SM81. Anyone use it? C urrently we've been pressing a cheap vocal condensor (wide diaphragm) into service. But we really need to move up.

So, looking for a nice single mic solution for recording a single acoustic. People seem to recommend the SM81 as a good value. Any thoughts on it?

[Jan Folkson]

I have a pair of 81's. They're really nice on acoustic, not usually my first choice though. They've been around a long time and have proved themselves to be useful on a regular basis.

[Somniferous]

The 81s tend to be a go to mic for acoustic. Keep in mind a go to doesn't mean the best possible mic, just that they capture the sound very well and easily (like a 57 for electric.) When I use 81s I will use a stereo pair in either a XY orientation on the 13th fret about 1-3feet away, or a ORTF orientation pointed at the headstock and bridge.

You could also try combining the condenser that you already have with a 57 on the 13th fret. I've gotten decent results from this. You can place the condenser either on the bridge (brighter sound) or where the neck meets the body and angle it toward the sound hole (more body)

[jrm]

Thanks fellas. I appreciate the insight.

Looking for something on a budget and saw this one recommended. Other have also pointed me towards the Rode NT5 and the Neumann KM184 (bit more than I have at the moment).

What might you recommend for acoustic recording that's "bang-for-the-buck"?

[James]

It's been a while since I've used them for recording, but I've used a Shure Beta Green 4.0 (and 4.1) condenser mic for acoustic guitars, with good results. They're no longer made, but I've bought them for as little as $50 on the ebay internet.

[Reeltarded]

The Rode.

My prefs are AKG 451/Ck1 or 5, then KM84, KM184, and then starts the larger capules.

I like 81 on hihat.

[southtone]

The PG81's are just about as good as the SM81's an are half the price. I use them all of the time as drum overheads and acoustics. They sound great. Bought a pair used on ebay for like $120.

[drbob1]

I'm a fan of the Oktava MC012s (and so are a lot of folks here if you go over to the "mic locker" thread). They cost around $100 on Ebay (get the Russian ones, check a Google search on MC012 Counterfeit for pics to help you sort it out). They sound great out of the box and can be made as smooth as a Neuman for another $75 each from Oktavamod or www.jjaudiomic.com (http://www.jjaudiomic.com). I'd also suggest combining your LDC with an SDC, blend the two different sources to get the complete sound you're looking for.

[PeteS]

Really like the SM81. It sounds very true to what you put in front of it.

[OctalSocket]

Just to add one thing, if you're interested in the SM-81, I would also consider Shure's updated models, the KSM137 and KSM141. The KSM137 is more like the SM-81, in that it is a cardioid-only mic, where the KSM141 can be switched between cardioid and omnidirectional.

I've used all three, and prefer the KSM's to the SM-81 by a pretty wide margin. The KSM137 is also cheaper than the SM-81, and the KSM141 is slightly more expensive.

In the end, they're all good, as is the KM184 and even the Rodes. I will say that I prefer the KSM mics to the KM184 on acoustic guitar, as the KM184 (in comparison) has a scooped midrange, and has a tendency to sound "all boom and sizzle" on a lot of modern acoustic guitars.

As always, your millage may vary.

John

[mikefair]

I've had good success with the SM-81. It's the best thing in my small mic cabinet for acoustic, by far. I can get the acoustic to sit in the mix a lot easier than with any other mic I've tried. I usually set the bass rolloff on the mic for less EQing during mixing. Most of the songs on my myspace page have a Yairi with a single SM-81 pointed at the 14th fret. http://www.myspace.com/mfas

[jrm]

Thanks so much you guys. This is all GREAT info.