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Post by langford on Jun 4, 2021 19:56:23 GMT -5
I'm at the shallowest end of the home recording pool and would like to try my hand at recording some acoustic guitars. I have an old SM57 microphone and am thinking I should probably get a condenser mic to go with it. Can anybody offer recommendations brands or alternative paths forward? TIA.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 4, 2021 20:09:00 GMT -5
I wouldn't expect good results from an SM57. You'll probably want to explore the vast market of (relatively) inexpensive condenser mics. Depending on your audio interface, maybe two. I've found the Rode NT1A a pretty decent mic for acoustic and vocals. Do you have an interface with phantom power?
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Post by ninworks on Jun 4, 2021 20:22:10 GMT -5
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 4, 2021 20:40:14 GMT -5
I have a pair of the Oktavas. They work well for acoustic, particularly one in combination with the Rode. Man, they've gotten pricey. I bought a pair back in the 90's for a steal.
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Post by langford on Jun 4, 2021 20:58:06 GMT -5
LOL. My nephew is a sound guy. He also recommends the Rode NT1A. They're about $300 here and sold in package the comes with with a cable and shock mount/pop shield. That's a little more than I was hoping to spend, but not a huge amount. And my birthday is coming up in a few days. Thanks for the suggestions, esp. the isolator tip. That makes a lot of sense.
RE interfaces/phantom power. I'm using a Roland Rubix 22. I'm not sure if it supplies phantom power, mainly because I'm not clear on the concept. Does it mean that my interface will supply power to a mic so that I don't have to use a battery?
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Post by ninworks on Jun 4, 2021 21:07:39 GMT -5
I bought a matched pair of the Oktava's 4 or 5 years ago and they were more than they are now. It was about $600 for the pair. Still well worth the money for the quality of the mics. I did a shootout comparing the MK-012's to a matched pair of Neumann KM184's and they stood up quite well. The KM184's won (as they should have) but the MK-012's did very well. Having two polar patterns to choose from is an advantage the Neumann's don't have and the Neumanns are over $800 each. I don't think the Neumanns sound $600 better than the Oktavas. At least not to me. Maybe half that.
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Post by FlyonNylon on Jun 4, 2021 21:14:12 GMT -5
The Roland has phantom power just make sure you press the 48v button so it’s supplied.
I have an NT1A and it’s a fine do-everything mic.
Sometimes wish I had a nice xy stereo pair for acoustic stuff but for one mic to record vox/instruments a large diaphragm condenser mic is hard to beat.
There are tons of great LDC choices out there, I’ll just say with the NT1 the limiting factor in the fidelity of my recordings is 100% room/processing/mic placement/operator error rather than the mic itself.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 4, 2021 21:23:47 GMT -5
The Roland unit should have a button 48V to supply phantom power.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 5, 2021 7:18:39 GMT -5
No experience with this one but I've read some good reviews, particularly related to recording acoustic guitars. Cheaper than the Rode, and kinda cute. Neat Worker Bee |
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Post by langford on Jun 5, 2021 10:31:17 GMT -5
Found the 48v button. Thanks, Auf.
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Post by langford on Jun 5, 2021 19:28:40 GMT -5
Auf... I've been checking out those Worker Bee. Seems to be a lot of love out there for them. Thanks for the tip.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Aug 1, 2021 10:20:02 GMT -5
Auf... I've been checking out those Worker Bee. Seems to be a lot of love out there for them. Thanks for the tip. I bought the Worker Bee for grins because I convinced myself I needed a medium diaphragm condenser mic in my toolbox. So far I've only used it to track a reference acoustic guitar but found that the track required less dinking with eq-wise to make a pleasant sound when compared to my Rode NT1A. I'm going to try some vocals through it next, maybe even an amp. Cute packaging, cute oddball looking mic. I can see the concept and style being a turn off to some studio denizens, but hey...it's a sub $100 mic. |
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Post by langford on Aug 1, 2021 20:22:03 GMT -5
Haha. I bought one, too. I've been swamped with deadlines the past few weeks, so I haven't had much chance to play with it. But I did to a couple of quick tests. Sounded good to me, certainly good enough for my needs at the stage that I'm at. And, yeah, the mic design and packaging is fun.
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Post by ninworks on Aug 2, 2021 8:33:03 GMT -5
Recording acoustic guitar is fun. There are so many different ways to do it and each one changes the sound considerably. Even when using the same mic.
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Post by langford on Aug 2, 2021 18:53:02 GMT -5
Recording acoustic guitar is fun. There are so many different ways to do it and each one changes the sound considerably. Even when using the same mic. I'm looking forward to experimenting. I also have an old SM57 dynamic mic—and two stands! I should be good to go for quite awhile. |
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Post by Larry Madsen on Aug 3, 2021 17:19:41 GMT -5
I have this guy (AKG P420). I bought it with the intention of recording acoustic guitar. I've not tried it out yet.  DSC_2598 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Aug 5, 2021 14:35:02 GMT -5
I've committed to the Worker Bee on acoustic guitars and vocal on this track I'm working on. Here's a rough mix. I'm kinding liking this mic.
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Post by ninworks on Aug 5, 2021 14:52:17 GMT -5
Man oh man Larry. THAT"S a good 'un. I love the chord progression and melody. The imagery in the lyrics is superb as well. Great job. Oh, and the mic sounds good too.  |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Aug 5, 2021 15:28:27 GMT -5
Thanks Ken. I had that orchestral beginning around for a while and a song just decided to bust out of it. I keep thinking I can do a better job with the electric guitar but ain't that always the case, lol.
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Post by ninworks on Aug 5, 2021 19:32:24 GMT -5
Thanks Ken. I had that orchestral beginning around for a while and a song just decided to bust out of it. I keep thinking I can do a better job with the electric guitar but ain't that always the case, lol. That IS always the case. |
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