Mic Recommendations?

Jeffsounds · 07-07-2018, 05:08 PM

I just picked up a Seagull S6 and it sounds amazing! Now I need a decent mic to record it with. It would be good if the mic could also mic a guitar cab but doesn't HAVE to... I already have an SM57 so we don't need to go there.
I don't want to have to mortgage the house again so keep the price around $300 or lower.

Thanks!

TheMaartian · 07-07-2018, 05:55 PM

For your price point, take a look at the Audio-Technica ATM450 (US$249). It's not the AT5045, but then it's not $1399.

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/w...8b3/index.html

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ser-microphone

Enjoy the S6! Which model did you get? Inquiring minds...

Seldrums · 07-07-2018, 07:35 PM

Really, just my 2 cents, Dave Thomas over at Advanced Audio kills it. I bought the CM47 FET and love it. I'm using it through a UA Twinfinity and everything sounds kickass to me. Worth a look. $299 I think.

brainwreck · 07-07-2018, 10:52 PM

Have any ribbon mics? A good low budgeter is the Apex 205. And a pair of them would give you some stereo options at way under $300 (with enough left over to pickup some cheap stands). The good things about ribbon mics (unless you get one of those new-fangled active ribbons) is that they don't have that upper piercing spike like so many condensers do, they are nice with transient sources, and you can eq the snot out of them while still sounding good. What I like about the 205 is: On a guitar cab, it does well with the mids and adds some serious weight to the bottom. Reduce the bottom via a heavy shelf and it sounds natural for acoustic. Add a heavy shelf to the top to brighten things up as needed without sounding like crap. And it compliments dynamic mics well for dual miking. The thing that I don't like about it is that the transformer is a bit on the noisy side for low volume sources, which could be inexpensively upgraded later if it is a problem. But I use mine as is.

Wolffman · 07-08-2018, 12:23 AM

Rode NT5 SDC.
For the money these are hard to beat on acoustic guitar or pretty much any acoustic instrument, i've used them on banjo and they sounded good

.

Haven't used them on a guitar cab so can't comment ( i just grab an sm57 or ribbon )But i'm sure they would work well as a room mic for E Guitar combined with your 57 on the cab.

2c
Cheers

martifingers · 07-08-2018, 02:35 AM

I have the Simon and Patrick S6 from the same company I believe and it is indeed a fine sounding instrument. I got one of these so I could sound like Gordon Giltrap:
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...ronics-magneto

Soundwise it is a great mic for the very little money but may now be discontinued (?) Also works excellently in live situations BTW. Last time I used it was on a set of Galician bagpipes!

Jeffsounds · 07-08-2018, 12:44 PM

Keep 'em comin'! I'm researching what I can as they are suggested. So far, I like the CM47 FET a lot! Thinking about the ribbons as well. Not a fan of the Rode line but will definitely check it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMaartian

Enjoy the S6! Which model did you get? Inquiring minds...

I got the S6 Original Cedar. Man, it sounds great! I just hope I can record it accurately...

Tod · 07-08-2018, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

So far, I like the CM47 FET a lot! Thinking about the ribbons as well. Not a fan of the Rode line but will definitely check it out.

Yeah, condensers or ribbons are the ticket. One thing about ribbons is they are rather fragile.

The best AC Gtr mics I ever had were a matched pair of AKG 451 condenser mics, they are rather expensive, but I've used them for a lot of things, especially Ac Gtr and OH for the drums. Keep in mind you'll want 2 mics for stereo.

Quote:

I got the S6 Original Cedar. Man, it sounds great! I just hope I can record it accurately...

Wow, and they're not that expensive. I'll be anxious to hear how it sounds Jeff. I've still got my old Yamaha AcGtr, it's great for lead, but ugly for rhythm. I've always wanted a Martin, but most of my clients had one, so there was always one around.

DobleCorchea · 07-08-2018, 04:32 PM

The audio-technica AT2050 is a good buy in that range. It is a little mid rangy but you can eq it and it is multi pattern so I would go for it.

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/w...176/index.html

Jeffsounds · 07-08-2018, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod

Yeah, condensers or ribbons are the ticket. One thing about ribbons is they are rather fragile.

And don't they have to be stored upright when not using them? I think I read that somewhere...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod

The best AC Gtr mics I ever had were a matched pair of AKG 451 condenser mics, they are rather expensive, but I've used them for a lot of things, especially Ac Gtr and OH for the drums. Keep in mind you'll want 2 mics for stereo.

I think I'll probably be using it in a mix with electric guitars, bass, keys, etc., so I'll probably only record in mono. But something to think about...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod

Wow, and they're not that expensive. I'll be anxious to hear how it sounds Jeff. I've still got my old Yamaha AcGtr, it's great for lead, but ugly for rhythm. I've always wanted a Martin, but most of my clients had one, so there was always one around.

I got a really good deal on it at GC. I played a couple of other S6's as well as some Breedlove's, Martin's and a few others but this one just sounded so much better than the rest and it also was a lot louder than the rest, almost as if it was already broken in. GC swears that it is not pre-owned and I saw the box that it came out of so I'm pretty convinced that it is just a special guitar waiting for me to come along.

Jeffsounds · 07-08-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DobleCorchea

The audio-technica AT2050 is a good buy in that range. It is a little mid rangy but you can eq it and it is multi pattern so I would go for it.

https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/w...176/index.html

Thanks! I'll check it out!

Studiodawg · 07-08-2018, 05:54 PM

CAD M179
http://cadaudio.com/products/m-series/m179

Honest little workhorse...go Tigers!

Fergler · 07-08-2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Studiodawg

CAD M179
http://cadaudio.com/products/m-series/m179

Honest little workhorse...go Tigers!

Another vote for this mic, its a C414 for an 1/11th the price.

g4greg · 07-08-2018, 07:35 PM

The AT4040 is at the top of that price range, but I'm extremely happy with how it records my acoustic.

It's also my go-to vocal mic, unless I'm doing metal screams.

Tod · 07-08-2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

And don't they have to be stored upright when not using them? I think I read that somewhere...

I'm not sure about that one, although it kind of makes sense.

Back in my hayday, we did have ribbons but they were very expensive and also fragile. It was touted that hitting them with a 48 volt power supply, could wipe them out. Basically an accident waiting to happen.

Now that might not be true today, I would think that problem would have been fixed by now.

At any rate I'm really anxious to hear your guitar, record it and give us a listen.

Jeffsounds · 07-08-2018, 09:52 PM

@Studiodawg @Fergler I'll check that one out as well. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by g4greg

The AT4040 is at the top of that price range, but I'm extremely happy with how it records my acoustic.

It's also my go-to vocal mic, unless I'm doing metal screams.

I listened to Free My Soul on your soundcloud and liked how the acoustic sounded. Was that recorded with the AT4040?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod

Now that might not be true today, I would think that problem would have been fixed by now.

I would hope that technology would have found a solution but I've not heard of it. Then again, I don't follow ribbon mics much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod

At any rate I'm really anxious to hear your guitar, record it and give us a listen.

Without a mic?

pipelineaudio · 07-08-2018, 10:40 PM

My "no worries, no stress, no lost sleep" go to for acoustic guitar has always been a pair of 414's in M/S

I've had good results with NT5's, 81's, el cheapos like the mxl cardioid whatever their name is LDC, el cheapo SDC's, Oktava MK012's whatever

I finally got a chance to try CAD M179's in M/S for this and I don't know that I'd be able to ABX the difference from the 414's in real use. I know which ones the kids at the school are going to use though! Can't believe the value for the price there.

I've only had decent luck with ribbons under some pretty extreme circumstances, and never for the bright clear zingy type of acoustic sound

brainwreck · 07-08-2018, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

I got the S6 Original Cedar. Man, it sounds great! I just hope I can record it accurately...

I like those guitars. They don't sound like typical lower cost guitars at all (boomy and bright), more of what I would describe as warm and rich. And the necks on them are wide and comfortable to play, to me. I tried some spruce top S6's, but I didn't like the sound at all.

brainwreck · 07-08-2018, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

and never for the bright clear zingy type of acoustic sound

I think that pretty much says it on using a ribbon for acoustic. If you like bright and zingy, a ribbon is the wrong mic. If you gravitate more toward natural and smooth, that is something that ribbons do. Personally, I really dislike bright and zingy.

I had an M179 at one point. I think it was pretty ok for the low cost of it. Basically, a much less hyped condenser than many other chinese condensers, with a pickup pattern knob. I didn't care for the pickup pattern knob, though. I found it to be noisy.

pipelineaudio · 07-08-2018, 11:58 PM

What other multipatterns are decent that are that cheap or cheaper? I bet there's some MXL or something

brainwreck · 07-09-2018, 12:18 AM

I never heard of any alternatives to the M179 come about.

If I remember correctly (maybe not), it was the inbetween positions on the M179 knob that were noisy, but at fully cardioid or omni (or whatever the patterns were), it was fine.

Edit: I see there is the Audio Technica AT2050 that has switchable patterns. And I'm seeing some others. So I guess some other choices did come about.

G-Sun · 07-09-2018, 12:46 AM

m2c:

Your room plays a significant factor, much more than choice of mic.

That said, my goto mics are:
- CM3 (sdc)
- BIV1 (ribbone)

I do have a particular dislike for cheap LDCs,
but, there are some decent budget ones now.

TheMaartian · 07-09-2018, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

What other multipatterns are decent that are that cheap or cheaper? I bet there's some MXL or something

I have 2 CAD GXL 3000 multis that I use for M/S recording. $199 at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/CAD-GXL3000-M.../dp/B0009K6NXE

http://cadaudio.com/products/gxl-series/gxl3000

pipelineaudio · 07-09-2018, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMaartian

I have 2 CAD GXL 3000 multis that I use for M/S recording. $199 at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/CAD-GXL3000-M.../dp/B0009K6NXE

http://cadaudio.com/products/gxl-series/gxl3000

I have one of those mics, sold as an ADK 51 or something, and it is KILLER! But its so expensive from ADK, I will probably try some of these

Greedy · 07-09-2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

What other multipatterns are decent that are that cheap or cheaper? I bet there's some MXL or something

Studio Projects CS5, $299 new, seen them used for $170. Great mic at any price.

https://reverb.com/item/995553-studi...ser-microphone

themixtape · 07-09-2018, 11:28 AM

MXL V67g. $80 new.

Ronan Chris Murphy, pro studio engineer and all-around awesome dude, swears by this mic.

I own three of them... including on MXL V67p (from Pitbull Audio).

Lead vocals, male or female, acoustic guitars.... perfection.

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themixtape

MXL V67g. $80 new.

.

I have and like the stereo version (V67Q) of that mic even better FYI. Then V67 (SDC) is nice as well and rivals my Neumann KM184s.

pipelineaudio · 07-09-2018, 11:58 AM

Aren't those cardioid only though?

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

Aren't those cardioid only though?

For some crazy reason, I put it in front of something, hit record, and it sounds good.

More seriously, I often gravitate to the mic because a decent X/Y stereo field in a single mic has often served me better than multiple polar patterns in a single-element mic. Especially for things like an acoustic guitar. Otherwise, yes, cardioid only.

pipelineaudio · 07-09-2018, 12:39 PM

I don't doubt it sounds good, I was just asking for other multipatterns around the price range of the Cad M179

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

I don't doubt it sounds good, I was just asking for other multipatterns around the price range of the Cad M179

I get it, we kind of naturally strayed from "need a mic for my acoustic" to "multi-pattern mic deals". I have the original of the CADs which is the old Equitek E200 made in Connecticut in the 90s or wherever they began, one of the best mics I have ever owned at any price tbh.

I also have the hypercardioid E-100 but it never got as much use as the E-200.

Jeffsounds · 07-09-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainwreck

I like those guitars. They don't sound like typical lower cost guitars at all (boomy and bright), more of what I would describe as warm and rich. And the necks on them are wide and comfortable to play, to me. I tried some spruce top S6's, but I didn't like the sound at all.

That is EXACTLY the way my wife described the sound, warm and rich! I have to agree. I love the wide neck but it is actually taking me some getting used to.

I'm getting a lot of large diaphragm mics here and I thought that small diaphragm was better for acoustic guitar. To my mind the SD would be more focused and the LD would be a bit wider in scope. I'm also getting a lot of recommendations for pencil mics elsewhere but not so much here.

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

I'm also getting a lot of recommendations for pencil mics elsewhere but not so much here.

The MXL V67Ns are great (I loosely hinted at them above - also comes with and additional Omni capsule), I have two of them and for acoustic and some other sources I choose them over my KM184s - mostly because the 184s roll off @ 200Hz where the 67Ns are full range and the 184s can be too "soft & pretty" on things like cymbals/acoustic gtr depending on genre IMHO.

Tod · 07-09-2018, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffsounds

I'm getting a lot of large diaphragm mics here and I thought that small diaphragm was better for acoustic guitar. To my mind the SD would be more focused and the LD would be a bit wider in scope. I'm also getting a lot of recommendations for pencil mics elsewhere but not so much here.

I think it's rather subjective, but I've found pencil mics to be better then my large
diaphragm mics for recording many acoustic instrument, especially AcGtr. Like I mentioned
above, my AKG-451s are the ticket. I see they're selling for $500 at Sweetwater.

pipelineaudio · 07-09-2018, 02:12 PM

What’s the difference of the 67’s vs the 604’s?

I was just about to pull the plug on 6 604’s

Judders · 07-09-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karbomusic

The MXL V67Ns are great (I loosely hinted at them above - also comes with and additional Omni capsule), I have two of them and for acoustic and some other sources I choose them over my KM184s - mostly because the 184s roll off @ 200Hz where the 67Ns are full range and the 184s can be too "soft & pretty" on things like cymbals/acoustic gtr depending on genre IMHO.

On recommendation from Ronan Chris Murphy (famous for recording Terry Bozio's humongous kits), who previously recommended the V67, I got the SE X1 S, which for the money is great, and doesn't have that nasty sizzle of similar cheap LDC's (he says it has won shootouts with top-shelf mic's, and he isn't endorsed by them). I also got a pair of SE 8 SDC's, matched pair in a flight case with stereo bar and windshields, for a very reasonable sum. I've been very happy with both.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...nics-x1-bundle

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/se-electronics-se8

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

What’s the difference of the 67’s vs the 604’s?

I was just about to pull the plug on 6 604’s

I have no idea actually since I've never used the 604s.

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judders

On recommendation from Ronan Chris Murphy (famous for recording Terry Bozio's humongous kits), who previously recommended the V67, I got the SE X1 S, which for the money is great, and doesn't have that nasty sizzle of similar cheap LDC's (he says it has won shootouts with top-shelf mic's, and he isn't endorsed by them). I also got a pair of SE 8 SDC's, matched pair in a flight case with stereo bar and windshields, for a very reasonable sum. I've been very happy with both.

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews...nics-x1-bundle

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/se-electronics-se8

Ah nice, I just happened across the 3 V series I have but they turned out to be great mics. Nice deal on the above as well. I can't buy any more mics for a while, I have like 40 or so and I'm at a point I have to take inventory so I don't lose one and forget. Roughly 10 of those though, I consider fairly useless for one reason or another - Old AKG C3000 that I hate, E609 I hate for example and a few others that just never seemed to work out for me.

Judders · 07-09-2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karbomusic

Ah nice, I just happened across the 3 V series I have but they turned out to be great mics. Nice deal on the above as well. I can't buy any more mics for a while, I have like 40 or so and I'm at a point I have to take inventory so I don't lose one and forget. Roughly 10 of those though, I consider fairly useless for one reason or another - Old AKG C3000 that I hate, E609 I hate for example and a few others.

Yeah, I did a LOT of research to avoid ending up with 40

karbomusic · 07-09-2018, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judders

Yeah, I did a LOT of research to avoid ending up with 40

- I prefer 40 useable mics instead of 30 usable and 10 duds as I like the choices to be had when micing a band. Probably 7 of those duds I just sort of ended up with and didn't actually buy. The e609 I did buy and I've hated it ever since, should have returned it but didn't. I try it again every so often, end up disappointed and it goes back in the box.

Anyone want to buy a mint condition Senn e609?