Capturing the perfect acoustic guitar.

[yellowchuck]

How would I go around capturing a nice crisp acoustic guitar sound?

Like what mics are good for this? I would like to record from amps and things too with this mic.
would a shure sm57 work fine?


I'm using a Br-600 digital recorder.

[fmw]

Despite the popularity of the SM57 and 58, I don't like them for recording personally and don't own any. They are good performance vocal mics. I tend to like the small condenser mics for acoustic guitar simply because they often have a flatter response than the large condensers. The large condensers tend to produce some boominess from acoustics although you can certainly EQ that. My personal favorite for acoustic guitar is the Neumann KM184 - a small condenser and a small mic for that matter. It gives a crisp, accurate recording of acoustic guitar-at least for me. What some people view as **** I usually view as muddy so I tend try to keep my acoustic guitar recordings on the clinical side. Just a preference. I'm willing to bet there are as many favorites on the forum as there are recordists. So obviously, there isn't a right or wrong answer. It is a matter of preference. It is also a matter of skill. A skilled recordist can do it with a wide variety of equipment.

If you are looking to buy a new condenser mic and think the Neumanns are too pricey take a serious look at the Sterlings. They are Chinese imports. They make a large condenser for about $100 that is really very nice for acoustic guitar. I forgot the model number but I do have one and it is downright impressive for the price. I use it personally as a performance mic but it is a dandy for recording as well. It isn't as colored as most large condensers and makes a good instrument mic.

I usually recommend aiming the mic at about the 12th fret about 6 or 8 inches away for starters. You can adjust placement from there. If you want more bass you can add a second mic on the lower bout. I usually don't personally but a lot of folks do. Good luck.

[yellowchuck]

Thank for the info it helped allot!

One more question could I use the same mic to record guitar out of my amp? and is it better to play right into the mixer/preamp etc... or hook up your amp with a sweet mic and run it through?

and any good mic recommendations would be greatly appreciated at probably around $100 if thats possible.

[fmw]

Originally Posted by yellowchuck

Thank for the info it helped allot!

One more question could I use the same mic to record guitar out of my amp? and is it better to play right into the mixer/preamp etc... or hook up your amp with a sweet mic and run it through?

and any good mic recommendations would be greatly appreciated at probably around $100 if thats possible.

why use an amp to record acoustic guitar? If you need effects, you can add them with plug-ins. Just mic the guitar itself.

I stay with the Sterling mic recommendation I made above.

[brandondrury]

How would I go around capturing a nice crisp acoustic guitar sound?

My usual mic for this job is a AKG 414, but some people prefer SDCs. The biggest thing is avoiding the low end boom from the soundhole and make sure you are recording a guitar that actually delivers the sound you require.

Despite the popularity of the SM57 and 58, I don't like them for recording personally and don't own any.

The 57 is useful when you need an acoustic to cut through a dense mix but it's not my first choice for "pretty" sounding acoustic guitars.

One more question could I use the same mic to record guitar out of my amp? and is it better to play right into the mixer/preamp etc... or hook up your amp with a sweet mic and run it through?
There is a point here (maybe not right now) where you have to have an opinion on the audio itself. If you REALLY think micing an acoustic guitar amp sounds good, than I guess it is. I personally detest the sound of the DI on acoustic guitars although I've heard a few on AOL sessions that were impressing. Take some real time with mic placement and I can't imagine you going back to DI or a mic'd DI.

Brandon

[drago]

For acoustic guitar, I really like the AKG 414 as Brandon mentioned already, and I also really like the Royer R121.

Remember that for acoustic guitar the most important thing is usually the sounds of your fingers or pick actually strumming the strings. I typically EQ out most of the deeper resonance and sick with keeping a nice clear strumming sound. Acoustic guitar is my favorite thing to record because I have it pretty much mastered

[fmw]

I agree with the 414. Pricey, though.

[drago]

You could get a 214 which, to my understanding, is the exact same thing but without switchable polar patterns. I haven't tried one myself to see if they really sound the same, but I'm sure they do.

[richiebee]

My fave for close miking acoustic guitar is a pair of Neumann KM184's as fmw suggested.

[brandondrury]

I also really like the Royer R121.

How do you keep it from being too boomy and too dark. I don't know what it is, but it seems that I have 10x the trouble with excessive boom in my acoustic guitar sounds regardless of the mic being used than everyone else. If I put a mic 6-12" from the 12th fret I will have BOOM OVERLOAD almost everytime and it has been that way since I've started. I've probably recorded 100 acoustic guitars. Maybe more. So the Royer has never done me any good on acoustic.

Are you adding a bunch of high end after the fact? What kind of acoustic guitar sound are you going for with the Royer. Just curious.

I agree with the 414. Pricey, though.

I paid $475 used on Ebay for mine. So they aren't TOOOOO bad, but not exactly a budget mic either.

Brandon