A good Mic for Miking Acoustic Guitars

[ROCKER STUDIOS]

Would be Running 2 for Stereo Can be 2 of the same or a combo.
What you all Running These Days

[emmymusic1]

Originally Posted by ROCKER STUDIOS

Would be Running 2 for Stereo Can be 2 of the same or a combo.
What you all Running These Days

two sm81 in XY postition seems to capture glorious sounds. sometimes an sm81 at the bridge and a blue kiwi at the 12th about 3 inches back can get a good result.i like the the stereo sm81s. seem to get a more flat response from them for a more versatile sound.

[Scott Whigham]

Gefell M300s is what I have and am ordering the Schoeps CMC6s w/ the MK 41s.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

I've mostly been using a C-28 with a CK-28 capsule and a KM 84, but I might use anything... a ribbon, a large diaphragm condenser, a dynamic... just depends.

[Wlouch]

Depends on guitar tone, the tone you are after etc. But a pair of Beyer MC 930s aren't going to be bad at all.

[ROCKER STUDIOS]

Originally Posted by Wlouch

Depends on guitar tone, the tone you are after etc. But a pair of Beyer MC 930s aren't going to be bad at all.

I like Big,Open Like the Player is is sitting right in front of you with a $10,000 Guitar
with brand new strings (but of course they show up at the studio with a $300
Guitar with 8 month old strings)

[PaulMac]

My favourite combo is a Telefunken M16 near the hole, vintage Neumann KM84 on the 12th fret for quite a natural sound... I usually run these through Toft ATB pres and then into my Black Lion Audio EQ for a slight high boost if there's much more than the guitar in the track to give it that sparkle and enhanced definition. I also like pairing the KM84 up with the Blue Mouse for a more bass-heavy tone at source and if I'm compressing the guitar quite a bit I'll even pair the Mouse on the hole up with a Baby Bottle on the 12th. I think they provide a pretty desirable coloured tone that works well in acoustic pop or rock.
Recently I was working with a producer who wanted stereo width and definition but quite a bit of "distance" on a track for a singer-songwriter. I set a pair of C414B-XLS as Blumleins and the sound was bang-on. Being me, I also had the KM84 set up in its regular place. I ended up introducing it to the mix slightly bang on centre and the guitar now sat firmly behind the vocal.

I'd say it's all about the application really. These are my go-tos for now... I can't wait to try my new TLM193 on the hole now though!

[PaulMac]

Originally Posted by ROCKER STUDIOS

I like Big,Open Like the Player is is sitting right in front of you with a $10,000 Guitar
with brand new strings (but of course they show up at the studio with a $300
Guitar with 8 month old strings)

One of the best guitars I've ever heard was a pretty "cheap" Martin. Apparently from their lower-end range of guitars, but yet we chose it over 5 or 6 more expensive guitars available for the particular track.
I agree about old strings, though. Unless you're going for the "old string sound" then I always recommend having quite a fresh set on.

[ROCKER STUDIOS]

What Mic did they use on the Led Zepp Albums Lots of nice Acoustic stuff I love on those Albums I Know the console and comps and Jimmy,John had a lot to do with it

[swafford]

Royer 122v, but I always go single mic.

[Greg Curtis]

Schoeps CMC6/4
KM140
Km84
U87
414XLS
414EB
Soundelux e49

All have worked really well for me. The u87 and the 414XLS really made me work hard to find "it"

But I really liked the e49 and the KM140 best.

I'm eager to try our new MKH800s. Anyone used these?

[NathanEldred]

My first choice for general use would be a small diaphragm. The Schoeps CMC6 (with Mk4 or Mk21 or Mk41) is my first choice. I have a nice collection of KM84s and KM86s that can be just the right thing also, although they usually require a bit more EQing than the Schoeps IME (they are thicker and more colored in general). It just depends on the guitar, and how you want it to sound in the track. Large diaphragms can help the guitar sound really big, but I usually find it necessary to combine with the SDC.

[contrattore]

Gefells sound awesome.
however, have you considered a pair of ribbons?
like Beyer m160s, perhaps..

[Croaker]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

My first choice for general use would be a small diaphragm. The Schoeps CMC6 (with Mk4 or Mk21 or Mk41) is my first choice. I have a nice collection of KM84s and KM86s that can be just the right thing also, although they usually require a bit more EQing than the Schoeps IME (they are thicker and more colored in general). It just depends on the guitar, and how you want it to sound in the track. Large diaphragms can help the guitar sound really big, but I usually find it necessary to combine with the SDC.

what he saidthumbsup

[walth]

Originally Posted by ROCKER STUDIOS

Would be Running 2 for Stereo Can be 2 of the same or a combo.
What you all Running These Days

SM-81
AKG C451/C480/C460
Neumann KM54/56
KM84/KM86
telefunken schoepps 221B

C12
U47 sometimes. the KM54 usually sounds better.

[bforest4]

2 AKG C-28's are my favorite out of my collection.

[4blades]

I'd prefer stereo too.

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

My first choice for general use would be a small diaphragm. The Schoeps CMC6 (with Mk4 or Mk21 or Mk41) is my first choice.

+1, they're great!
Definitely worth a test: the DPA 4011 stereo pair (3511 kit).
Paired with a tube preamp and you're in heaven.

Check a 3511 shoot-out (but on piano) here.

[skybluerental]

i almost never use 2 mics on an acoustic unless it is solo or acoustic with vocals only.

my 1st choices at my studio would be a Neumann U67, AKG 451 EB, or a Gefell UM70s.

if i had a Neumann KM 84, KM 86 or an AKG C12a they would be in the running as well.

the doubled acoustic guitar sound i got from my U67 yesterday sure made me smile.

if i was using a second mic it would probably be a ribbon in combination with one of the above mentioned condensers.

every once in a while a Shure SM57 is just the right thing in a dense mix.

[Jfalikman]

Blueberry !

i love these on acc guitars lately

[Tony Shepperd]

Personally I'm not a fan of stereo acoustic guitar. It eats up to much sonic space in the mix. As for mics: on the low the Marshall 603e mics (recording pak) and the top end the B&K (DPA) 2011.

[LeMauce]

Schoeps M221 or CMT30... And a Sontronics Sigma as a "room" high up in the sky depending on the roomcabine its self.

[kosmokrator]

Schoeps CMC641
Brauner VM-1

[Scott Whigham]

Originally Posted by Tony Shepperd

Personally I'm not a fan of stereo acoustic guitar. It eats up to much sonic space in the mix.

Ahhhhh, yes - I always forget about how other people use it. For my stuff, I record solo instrumental acoustic stuff so the stereo or stereo + room mic works in that case. I can see why it would be too heavy/much in a full mix though.

[mildav]

shoeps cm6 + mk 21 capsule....into summit tba 200 for me is a must

[RiF]

Mojave MA-201FET on the 12th fret, SM57 on the bridge. Sounds great.

[seanmccoy]

Usually a 460b (Jim Williams mod) in cardioid for anything picked or otherwise delicate, sometimes in spaced stereo. If the guitar will be very prominant or isn't a particularly warm guitar I'll swap out the body-side 460 for a LDC. Can be a Lawson L47Mp, U87, 414, UMT70s depending on the sound we're looking for. For aggressive strummed stuff, always mono and usually with a KM140 or 451 (through a 312 or 312a).

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by ROCKER STUDIOS

What Mic did they use on the Led Zepp Albums Lots of nice Acoustic stuff I love on those Albums I Know the console and comps and Jimmy,John had a lot to do with it

The Neumann U67 was used for sure and is visible in some session pics.

Page mentioned the RCA BA-6A compressor as being an essential part of his Zeppelin acoustic sound:

RCA BA-6A Limiting Amplifier (Compressor)

[andreaeffe]

Nice question, OP!

Here go my favourites & go-tos

For classic upfront mono lead/picked:

-a tube compressed, high-gain preamped vintage Neumann U64 small diaphragm tube
-a Neumann KM84
-a huge vintage AKG C12
-an AKG C12 VR
-a classic AKG 414 B-TL II or XLS (when the guitar is not too boomy)
-my truly surprising (and truly bright & articulated) Superlux S241

For big wide stereo:

-2 AKG 414 B-TL II or XLS or my LTD 60th Anniversary pair
-a Neumann USM 69i stereo (when the guitar is not too bassy and when I'm after unhyped, not too sizzly highs)
-my 2 Cascade Fatheads II Lundahl transformer equipped

For more song/soundscape specific or pinpointed stereo:

-a vintage Neumann U67 tube @ body/further out + a vintage Neumann U64 small diaphragm tube @ neck/neck joint
-an AKG C12 VR or 414 B-TL II or XLS @ body/further out+ a Neumann KM84 or a Superlux S241 @ neck/neck joint
-2 Neumann KM84s
-my old Rode NT4 stereo mike

A
F

[bigbongo]

Another one for the Schoeps CMC5 with MK4 cap, sounds beautiful.

[NEWTON IN ORBIT]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

The Neumann U67 was used for sure and is visible in some session pics.

Page mentioned the RCA BA-6A compressor as being an essential part of his Zeppelin acoustic sound:

RCA BA-6A Limiting Amplifier (Compressor)

Yes...the best combo in history IMHO.

I sometimes use a Schoeps CMC6.

I am not much on stereo miking either, unless it is a solo guitar track.

I am certain the Zep stuff is mono and / or doubled.

Gallow's Pole = incredible with plate panned to one side.

Still my favorite after so many years.

Magic if there's a such thing.
john