$600 for SDC mics for recording acoustic in bedroom

[bchamorro]

I need a pair (preferably matched) of SDC mics for recording acoustic guitar in my bedroom.


My room is untreated


I have an Apogee Duet


Mostly steel string acoustic, but sometimes nylon. Rosewood back and sides + spruce top. Strumming and finger picking styles.


I want to spend about $600 on both

[bchamorro]

help plz

[Robert Alger]

I would try to find a store in your area that will allow you to demo mics.

Assuming that you are not happy with the sounds you are getting now, A different mic may actually sound worse in a small space without treatment.

[Benlittlejohn]

+1 on the demoing mics

One mic worth checking out is the Beyer mc930. my fave on nylon

its like $500 for one but the stereo pair is worth checking out.

hope that helps

Ben

[doncaparker]

Are you sure you want to record in stereo in an untreated room?

If you are sure, I think a pair of Oktava mk-012 mics can be had for your price range.

I would reconsider stereo, though, until you get room treatment squared away. You can probably get better results right now with a single mic, well positioned, with room sounds minimized, then just add stereo echo or reverb later.

[bchamorro]

Originally Posted by doncaparker

Are you sure you want to record in stereo in an untreated room?

If you are sure, I think a pair of Oktava mk-012 mics can be had for your price range.

I would reconsider stereo, though, until you get room treatment squared away. You can probably get better results right now with a single mic, well positioned, with room sounds minimized, then just add stereo echo or reverb later.

hmm...

really? so stereo guitar recording is not worth it in an untreated room?

[Beyersound]

Oktavamod MXL 603s ultimate mod. Just under $600 a pair, and really nice!

[buscemi]

or save a slight bit more and get the Joly-modded MK-012 pair directly from his site.

[jbjoubaud]

Originally Posted by buscemi

or save a slight bit more and get the Joly-modded MK-012 pair directly from his site.

+1
Couldn't be happier with these.

[kozsak]

I just picked up a new pair of AT4041's for less than $350 on eBay. They are very nice in a stereo pair with my Martin guitars and sound equally good with a (nylon stringed) ukulele. They are similar to the SM81's. The 4041's are less bright than the 81's. I'm happy with them.

In fact, for "singer/songwriter/bedroom" stuff all you might need would be a pair of 4041's and an SM7B. I use the Duet, too. The pre's are fine and sound decent with the 4041's. However, I use a Great River for the SM7B.

[sdelsolray]

Octava MC-012
Peluso CECM6

Either can be purchased with your choice of capsule polar pattern. Given your room, perhaps hypercardioid?

[buscemi]

Originally Posted by jbjoubaud

+1
Couldn't be happier with these.

Only if you've got the black ones. Kidding (though they do sound better). OK kidding again. Seriously good investment less than a hundred bucks over OP's budget but likely worth WAY more than the extra 70 bucks or whatever as far as quality vs dollars spent goes.

[gehauser]

+1 for Peluso cemc6 for fingerpicking, strumming

sm81s for flatpicking (check northernsound.net for price in your range), especially in an untreated room

For flatpicking, the cemc6 can be too bright for my ears in an untreated room - with some room treatment it is quite good for flatpicking, so with some minimal room treatment, the cemc6 might be the best all-rounder.

I stick with the sm81 for flatpicking here because I do a lot of that, and I like the in-your-face punch of the sm81. Lead acoustic gtr into sm81 also sits better in a mix with vocals and other guitars.

[fanriffic]

Originally Posted by Benlittlejohn

+1 on the demoing mics

One mic worth checking out is the Beyer mc930. my fave on nylon

its like $500 for one but the stereo pair is worth checking out.

hope that helps

Ben

..there was a pair for $600 in the classifieds yesterday-but I think you may have missed them..

[bchamorro]

I just ordered the Peluso cemc6 matched pair. I hope I didn't screw up.

I can't wait to get them on monday.
dfegad

[kafka]

Originally Posted by bchamorro

I just ordered the Peluso cemc6 matched pair. I hope I didn't screw up.

I can't wait to get them on monday.

You're going to like them. They're really great mics.

[Studiodawg]

I have the Pelusos too. They get "the call" very often in my studio.

[Ironklad Audio]

can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet, but SM-81's would be worth a look...prolly the most popular in that general range along with the oktava, AT 4041, and rode nt5

[KeithMoonwannabe]

AT4041 pair with case $500
Oktavamod MK012 pair $670
Shure KSM137 matched pair $600
Shure SM81 pair $700 (could get em much less used)
Oktavamod MXL603 pair with ultimate mod $200 for mics (new pair, max), mods are like $180ish per mic VERY COOL!
Beyer MC930 pair $1000 (individual mic is $600) good, but do you wanna spend that much?
AKG C451 pair $1300 (individual mic is $580) good, but again do you wanna spend that much?
Neumann KM184 pair $1700 (individual mic is $850) out of your league "wallet's" most likely you could try to find these used
Sterling Audio ST33 are $200 each (a pair of those would be cool)
Sterling Audio ST44 are $300 each (a pair of these would be even cooler)

not a fan of RODE NT5 for acoustic guitar, some people love em I think there are much better mics

keep in mind these are the mics I have the most experience with. I've heard good things about the Pelusos but I've never used them so I won't comment.

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by KeithMoonwannabe

Beyer MC930 pair $1000 (individual mic is $600) good, but do you wanna spend that much?

You can easily find these for $800/pair and maybe even $700/pair if you call around to a few dealers. I'd call Sonic Circus, FullCompass and B&H PhotoVideo to get their best prices.

[A LaMere]

Originally Posted by bchamorro

I just ordered the Peluso cemc6 matched pair. I hope I didn't screw up.

I can't wait to get them on monday.
dfegad

Nice... tell us how you like them when you are able to try 'em out???

[Benlittlejohn]

Originally Posted by fanriffic

..there was a pair for $600 in the classifieds yesterday-but I think you may have missed them..

that is a most excellent price

[Pohaku]

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

You can easily find these for $800/pair and maybe even $700/pair if you call around to a few dealers. I'd call Sonic Circus, FullCompass and B&H PhotoVideo to get their best prices.

B&H has them for $768 or so. Call around and see if you can get a better price.

You could also consider the AT-4051. Very nice relatively flat SD mic. They run about $250 each used and show up on e-bay with some regularity. AT, like Neumann, doesn't do matched pairs as they claim their manufacturing tolerances are tight enough.

Another consideration is a pair of GT-44s (or Alesis AM-40s for the prior iteration) or whatever the current model designation is. A tube MD condenser that is really great on acoustic instruments. @ $250 each used.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

You can easily find these for $800/pair and maybe even $700/pair if you call around to a few dealers. I'd call Sonic Circus, FullCompass and B&H PhotoVideo to get their best prices.

ahhh well still btw I love B&H...I guess I should've looked there\

btw if anyone is interested American Musical Supply just lowered the price for a pair of AT4041 from $500 to $420

[RMJAZZ]

Hey bchamorro- did your mics come in yet? When you get a chance could you post a clip or two of of them on an acoustic?


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Rob
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