C-12 for acoustic guitar and acoustic piano

[kissingonstilts]

What are some of your experiences with the C-12 for acoustic guitar, acoustic piano? Did you prefer it over a U47? over a KM84? over a Schoeps? Why or why not?

Thanks.

[Lord Fear]

I mean it depends on what you want. The C12 is super bright, so know that before jumping in there, but I do love it on acoustic guitars, I've gone all over with acoustics (47's, 49's, 67's km84's) but I keep coming back to using one C12 with some light maybe 1-3db compression. It rules as far as I'm concerned. Piano not my favorite mic, however I will say that I like to use a C12 as a mono room for piano...that seems to work nicely. C12's to me are a great mic for sure, but kind of overrated, they seem to be generally to bright to use on most things.

Hope That Helps

LF

[corn55]

Stereo pair of Ela 251 mics on acoustic guitar - "Unit of Measure", Tony Rice, engineer Billy Wolf.

[kissingonstilts]

These are both helpful comments. 251s are too expensive for me; and I've never had as much luck with stereo mics or stereo set-ups as I have with one aptly-placed mic.

Your experiences continue to be welcomed.

[Zarathustra]

There is nothing finer than a C12/C24 on a grand piano. Also fantastic for acoustic guitar, but don't get the reissue. It just ain't right.

Z

[kissingonstilts]

Thanks - I was thinking of original C12 (or Wunder C12). Do you prefer the C24 over the C12?

More comments regarding C12 experiences with acoustic guitar, and acoustic piano are welcome.

[Rick Sutton]

I've got a C12 and a C24. Prefer the 12 on acoustic instruments and the 24 on voice (sometimes drum overheads).

[midnightsun]

For acoustic guitar my favorite setup is a matched set of Korby Convertibles with the matches C12 capsules in a Blumlein pattern. I have matched pairs of all of the Korby capsules and the C12 is best for acoustic guitar followed by the 251 and then the 67. If you do stereo recording with matched mics fixed to a single bar using a coincident technique it is easy and works great. Ribbon mics can also do nice things for acoustic guitar. For mono acoustic guitar recording, one of my favorites is a Neuman U89. If budget permits I recommend the Korby. Most likely you could have them send one out with all of the capsules so you can pick the capsule that you like the best. Over time most like you will end up with all of the available capsules.

You will often read that if possible you should audition an expensive mic before taking the plunge- good luck.

[niteflite]

I've used my vintage C12 on acoustic guitars and prefer it to the CM7 on that source but I've recently preferred to use one or two Dragonfly DLXs or a KM84. Having all four of course affords ideal versatility.

[Hawaii]

Originally Posted by Lord Fear

...C12's to me are a great mic for sure, but kind of overrated, they seem to be generally to bright to use on most things.

Hope That Helps

LF

Due all respect, the C12 isn't overrated at all. It was and is a milestone mic and or capsule!

You also cannot say the C12 is too bright. Every C12 especially the old originals sound VERY different! If you have 10 in a mic locker you won't find two mics sounding the same. Some of them sound bright some more dark and some in the middle... This gems are not only very old also custom made by hand.

A friend of mine has a C12 which is sounding almost like a U67... dark... Whereas mine sounds very bright which is great for me...


- I personally like the C12 on guitars if you record with a (classical music) room approach. But I do prefer a small-diaphragm for a pop/rock mix. That's the thing to keep in mind when you go for a AC Guitar. You also might use a small-diaphragm mic on the neck and a large-diaphragm on the bridge if you like. I don't.

My fave acoustic mics are the AKG C 451 B (which I wrote a report for the AKG International Report in 2002) and the Oktava MK-012.

The C 451 B has a wonderful sparkling high-end. The Oktava MK-012 has more body.

I use mainly the C 451 for acoustic guitar and classical guitar. For AC steelstring guitar STRUMMING I use the Oktava MK-012. Never a large-diaphragm on my acoustic guitar. That's what I found out FOR MYSELF over the years. But you all may have find a other valid way... Also every guitar and guitarplayer sounds different beside the taste of the listener that's why there are so many ways to record...


Bottom line: You need to check the mics for yourself. Booking a studio with a mighty mic locker for a few hours is the best way to find your personal fave mic for you and your guitar...

Gunter

[Ollie]

I have heard a couple of C24's (CK12 CAPSULE in a stereo config), I own 2 C12B's, nuvistor with CK12's. The word bright can be misleading. They all have a nice top end, not at all harsh or overly bright. The C24's had an overall smoother sound throughout the frequency spectrum with a lovely mid and low end. The C12B's sound great also, but not has smooth thru the frequency range.

I found their can be a pronounced difference between many new mics that are bright(yep they bright, you betta get the sunglasses out becasue they are blairing and over the top,) and older mics that have a nice open top.

Originally Posted by Lord Fear

I mean it depends on what you want. The C12 is super bright, so know that before jumping in there, but I do love it on acoustic guitars, I've gone all over with acoustics (47's, 49's, 67's km84's) but I keep coming back to using one C12 with some light maybe 1-3db compression. It rules as far as I'm concerned. Piano not my favorite mic, however I will say that I like to use a C12 as a mono room for piano...that seems to work nicely. C12's to me are a great mic for sure, but kind of overrated, they seem to be generally to bright to use on most things.

Hope That Helps

LF

[Sarusan]

In my experience a good C12 is not a super bright mic. It's very balanced throughout the frequency spectrum with a lot of high freq. detail. They take eq really well. 251s are far brighter and don't take eq as well IMO.

C12s are by far my favorites on acoustic guitars and pianos. 251s on ac. guitar can get brittle pretty fast in my experience. KM84s are also extremely well balanced and take eq as well. They won't pull in the room the way the two AKGs will. They won't sound as lush either but that's not necessarily bad.

Steven

[BradD]

[QUOTE=Sarusan;1504251]In my experience a good C12 is not a super bright mic. It's very balanced throughout the frequency spectrum with a lot of high freq. detail. They take eq really well. 251s are far brighter and don't take eq as well IMO.

This is interesting. With my Korby KAT 4, the 251 capsule is much darker than the C12. The 251 has a fuller sound with a woollier bottom, whereas the C12 is crystall clear. I know they aren't the real thing, but it seems that there must be quite a bit of variability between the originals.

[elambo]

I really like a C12 on ac gtr. Big fan!