JenRaz
Joined: 07 Feb 2008
Posts: 1
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| recording acoustic guitars |
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what is the best mic to use when recording an acoustic guitar? |
Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:59 pm |
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Rmuse
Family Friend
Joined: 13 Nov 2006
Posts: 109
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| Acoustic Guitar Micing |
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Hi JenRaz,
Typically, the experts say to use a small diaphram condenser or two. One aimed at the sound hole and one at about fret # 12 and blend them together (or separate tracks). Or, one small diaphram and a large diaphram. There are many opinions on this subject and I think it is the most difficult instrument to record. Personally, I use one large diaphram aimed between the sound hole and the twelfth fret and one about four feet away centred on the player. Many articles are written on the subject (look in the Sound on Sound online index) and I am confident that you'll get better advice from others on this site than from me. Whatever microphone(s) you have, use your ears to determine the outcome. If it sounds good, you've made the right decision.
cheers
ron
www.soundonsound.com |
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Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:02 am |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| Stereo? |
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Some good advice from Rmuse.
I've lately been using the Shure SM86 (condensor) and the results have been very impressive.
You could also try using a stereo pair (XY/ORTF) placed a couple of feet away from the sound hole. If you've got a decent room and a good pair of mics you can end up with a very 'real' sounding stereo recrording. |
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Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:56 am |
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Rmuse
Family Friend
Joined: 13 Nov 2006
Posts: 109
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| Stereo Mic technique |
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Hi Varun,
For doing XY/ORTF stereo recording, do the microphones have to be a 'matched pair', or can two similar microphone be used?
The Neumann senior applications engineer said that if a mic's tolerances are well controlled, you can use two of the same model and that two 87's will sound very close. Another expert has said the mics must be 'matched' at the factory to be sold as a stereo pair.
I don't have any two identical mics. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Ron |
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Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:20 pm |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| Unmatched/matched |
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Frankly, I havent recorded in stereo with unmatched pairs (except a MS recording once where I used two different mics - didnt sound too bad though!). The reason for using matched pairs (mic from the same batch or matched by the manufacturer) is to reduce difference in specs caused during manufacture (no two mics are the exact same). Using unmatched pairs I guess would cause a difference in stereo imaging when compared to a matched pair - if the unmatched pairs have a huge difference in their 'output'. Id' say try it out - if the result is a clear stereo image that isnt lopsided, all is good! |
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Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:18 am |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| Matched pairs |
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I wouldnt say you need to use matched pairs but i would try to use identical microphones. i.e. use 2 C414's rather than a C414 and an MC834 for example. probably 98% of my recordings have been done without factory matched pairs. we only have 2 pairs in the studios anyway
-Paul |
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Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:22 pm |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 514
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| SM81 |
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CORRECTION! I meant the Shure SM81 not the SM86 in my earlier post (what a world of a difference!) |
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Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:11 am |
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