What's your favorite Acoustic guitar mic?

[whitcomb]

I've been experimenting with my SP C1 and an Avantone CR-14 ribbon mic for my acoustic guitar recordings and would like to buy a sd condenser (or a set). Which do you feel most strongly about or are your "go-to" mics for acoustic guitar. Currently feeding Gibson acoustics into a Great River MP-500NV and Solo 610 so the pre's are fairly colorful.

Thanks

 

[loudboy]

I'll usually go for a Neumann KM-184 or AKG 451 (not the reissue) or 460.

I'll use the 184 if it's an acoustic-driven arrangement. The 451 gives a nice zing, to help cut through a busy mix.

For stereo, a nice combo is a Royer R-121 (reversed) on the lower bout and a 184 at the 12th fret.

Loudboy

 

[whitcomb]

I didn't mention $! I would like to keep things in the $500 range (used or new)

 

[TAVD]

For my small bodied Brooks acoustic, I like the Josephson C-42.
For my cheap Epi dread, a md421 works best.
Guild 12 string, a Rode NT-1 works well.

 

[DANOCASTER]

Chameleon Labs TS-1 ( small diaphram tube condensor )

Peluso 2247LE ( Large Diaphram condensor )

 

[whitcomb]

I've heard good things about the Josephson.

 

[loudboy]

Used 451, 184 and a new Josephson are all under $500.

Loudboy

 

[TAVD]

Beyerdynamic MC 930 would be another to check out.

 

[Gi-gi-giggity]

I've recorded with the Baby Bottle which I liked a lot. SM81 too.

 

[devinb]

Royer 122 active ribbon...a pair of them, actually...

 

[Member 995]

My favorite recording was with a Neumann KM84. I've also had success with Josephson C42, AKG 451, Oktava MC012, and others.

I'm going to experiment with a Royer 121 to see if it has the same magic on acoustic as it does on guitar amps. I suspect I'll want more high end, but we'll see.

Bryan

 

[DigitalTube]

i'd think that a used KM-184 or AKG 451 will be a much better choice over the Shure SM 81, I own the SM 81 and never use it anymore, it's not a bad mic, it's just sounds too dead compared to the others in my opinion.

 

[LSchefman]

Depends on the guitar, and the sound you're going after!!!

On a very bright guitar, like a Taylor, I like something with a softer top end, so I might go with an Oktava MK012, and I'd surely consider a ribbon. For a Gibson, it's hard to beat an AKG 414. You get a nice, thick chunky sound. I like a GT33 on a Martin, I find it brings out the sparkly harmonics. And the Blue Bluebird is a nice all-around mic and a terrific bargain.

Except the 414, all of these mics can be had new for under $500. You can certainly find a used 414 as well in that range.

If you want a neutral sound - not all of us do - the SM81 is a really good mic IMHO.

 

[Gi-gi-giggity]

So maybe the Baby Bottle only sounded good cause it was plugged into an SSL G5+ console?

 

[gainiac]

I use a 460B on my Taylor. It's nice.

 

[paulrocker]

I never had a good time with a royer 121 on acoustic. Too boomy.

 

[Member 995]

I never had a good time with a royer 121 on acoustic. Too boomy.

Where did you have it positioned? Front side of the mic or the back? I still haven't gotten a chance to play around with a 121 on acoustic yet.

Bryan

 

[DANOCASTER]

use the back of the 121 and a small condensor also

 

[paulrocker]

use the back of the 121 and a small condensor also

That sounds like a good idea.

I found that a lot of small and large condensers worked for me on acoustic. And don't get me wrong I love the royer 121. But the sound I got on the acoustic was a little too "sharp" for my taste.

 

[onemind]

A budget consideration would be the Rode Stereo Mic (NT4 I think) with the two capsules, quite nice. I like the mix of a LDC slighty offset above the soundhole, and a SDC on the neck (e.g. 414ULS/460EB) Panned wide. Sounds huge!