Old 04-21-2009, 05:00 PM   #1
Alistair S
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Default Shure SM81 (for acoustic guitar)

I'm considering getting one. I like Shure mics and I love the build quality. I know it will do a good job (of course it will!).

However, should I be looking at others for the money, or are there any aspects/downsides I should be aware of before buying? Any opinions?
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Old 04-21-2009, 05:28 PM   #2
zappsunzorn
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Not a bad mic. Used everywhere for high hats, overheads, etc.

One I own and recommend is the Audio-Technica AE5100, and it's about 100 dollars cheaper.

If you plan to use the 81 (or most condenser mics) live for acoustic guitar it creates a feedback issue, but it sounded good.
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Old 04-22-2009, 09:08 AM   #3
Petimar
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Also consider a Chamaleon Labs TS-1. This is my fav small condenser for acoustic.
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Old 04-22-2009, 09:30 AM   #4
Fran Guidry
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alistair S View Post
I'm considering getting one. I like Shure mics and I love the build quality. I know it will do a good job (of course it will!).

However, should I be looking at others for the money, or are there any aspects/downsides I should be aware of before buying? Any opinions?
The SM81 is a classic, you can do great recordings with this mic. These are great to pick up used for around $200.

If you are looking at a new SM81 and your budget can stretch just a little, the Shure KSM141 is a really remarkable tool. The KSM137 is similar, without the omni option, and costs a bit less new than the SM81 new.

Fran
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Old 05-12-2009, 07:43 AM   #5
g4greg
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I recorded with it once... Great, great value. Its a chameleon mic. You can use it everywhere! Perfect for budget studios.

BUT..For about the same price, you can get TWO rode NT5s. Maybe the NT5s don't have a pattern selection, But they are the only mics I bought after only one recording session. They are PERFECT overheads, absolutely ASTOUNDING for acoustic instruments, and are more than adequate for vocals.


They are colored, more than the shure...But I really like their "brighntess". Always perfect to make something jump out of a mix. These are one buy I never, ever will regret.
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Old 05-12-2009, 08:29 AM   #6
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I would just buy a Audio Technica 4033 and be done with it. When guys like George Massenburg claim "it is the first mic I try, and the one I use 90% of the time for recording acoustic guitar", I think you can trust it will do a pretty good job for you! I was impressed with that statement mainly because I found it to be true for me too!

If you don't believe me, you can find his post somewhere over at the Music Player forums. It was maybe 4 year or so ago that he posted that.
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Old 05-12-2009, 10:17 AM   #7
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I use an SM81 through an Electro Harmonix 12AY7 pre over the fingerboard (angled towards the 12th fret) - it's a great mic/pre combination that works extremely well with a large a diaphragm pointed at the bridge (I use a Studio Projects C1 through a VTB-1 pre for that). I get extremely faithful reproduction of my Martin D-35's sound with this setup...
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