Favorite recording microphone for mandolin/guitar

[jaco]

I know this has been thrown around before as to mandolin but is there a prefernce of one mike for both instruments? I've been using the new Mxl-604s running stereo with pro-tools and had pretty good results (for the money). The MXL's are a good deal but I'm thinking of moving up to something a bit better. I've heard good things on the Shure 81s and Neumann K184s. I'm talking strictly for recrding not live performance. Any input?

[Perry]

I have the KM-184 and get good results on guitar and mando; some people prefer the less expensive Oktava MK012. They feel the high end is a little smoother. I like the Oktava live for that reason and for the fact that is not as expensive.

But I think that the Oktava 'taming' of the high end while nice for mando might not be as desirable for guitar.
So the KM-184 would make a nice mic for your collection since you record both guitar and mando. Neumann does advertise the KM-184 as the "desert island" mic.

I should add that using a good mic pre-amp (as suggested on this board) can make all the difference. I have used my Pendulum pre-amps bypassing my Midiman Duo's internal mic pre-amps and the difference was noticeable.

I think many would suggest to experiment with as many mics as you can.

[Windflite]

I use a pair of Octava's and would have to agree with Perry's assessment. #The mandolin (Collings MF5) records beautifully with little to no EQ required. #I've never been able to get the same results out of the guitar (Collings Winfield Brazilian) despite trying seemingly every angle/distance/location I could think of. # It certainly creates passable recording, but the difference in tonal quality between mando/guitar is striking to my ears. #

That being said, even after years and years of trying to make the 'perfect' recording, I have yet to even come close! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[steve V. johnson]

My 'desert island' mic is the Neumann KM-184, esp for acoustic instruments.

I use a lot of different mics, but that's the easy answer. # A good alternative is the Josephson C-42, which is very similar to the KM-184 and a bit less $. #I have an old pair of AKG 452s that I use on mandolins and guitars a whole lot. #I also like the EV RE-20. #

It's just a personal prejudice but I've never liked SM-81s, but they actually do a nice job. #Keep in mind, tho, that most pro's use them for hi-hat mics.

There are some very nice options from AudioTechnica. #Their newest of the AE series are very nice and cost-effective. #AE5100 is a nice one.

I think most players these days feel that condensor mics, particularly large-diaphragm ones, are to be preferred, but I'll recommend that you look at dynamic mics as well. #Sennheiser MD-421s and 441s are great mics, EV RE's are really good, Beyerdynamic M-88s sound great on kick drums, banjos and mandolins, Shure makes some wonderful instrument mics. I use Shure Beta 57s for guitar, mandolin, dobro when I need really narrow pickup patterns.

I just got a pair of Audix F10 dynamic mics to use onstage for a concertina player we play with, and I've experimented with them some and they are very nice for acoustic instruments, but they have a very pronounced proximity effect, that is, they 'hear' a lot more bass the closer they get.

In a pinch I put one on my Crump bouzouki, and it worked very nicely onstage at about a foot away. Someone multitracked the set as an experiment, but I couldn't talk her out of a copy of it (RATS!!!), but I did hear a playback and I was surprised at how good the zouk sounded... These F10s are pretty small, too, which is nice.

I guess I've kind of fudged the line between live and recording, but that line is getting less and less distinct for me, and much of my recording gear is doing more 'double duty' onstage and in the studio both...

stv

[Fuzzyway]

I'll add a few of my favorites for recording,

Audio Technica 4041 or 4051: I use these a lot for acoustic instruments.

Royer 121/122 ribbons: expensive, but I would replace them if there were lost. Creamy, darker sound.

Heil: PR40, very similiar to EV RE-20 and still very reasonably priced (around $250). I acquired this mic about 6 months ago and have used it on guitar, vocals, kick drum. Handles them all very well.

Best, Fuzzy

[J.Albert]

stv wrote:
<< There are some very nice options from AudioTechnica. #Their newest of the AE series are very nice and cost-effective. #AE5100 is a nice one. >>

I have one of the AT AE 5100 mics and like it a lot. A very nice mic for the money. Of course, I wouldn't mind having a matched pair of KM-184's (sigh).

The AE 5100 is a medium-diameter (not quite "small") instrument mic designed to work in both live and recording environments. I believe AT has revamped the line and that the AE 5100 is discontinued. I've seen an outfit on ebay selling them off for very reasonable prices, about $220. I might even pic up a second one for a [non-matched] pair....

- John

[Don Grieser]

I just got an Oktava 219 with the Premium Electronics mod by Michael Joly at www.oktavamod.com (http://www.oktavamod.com). I really like this microphone. I also have an Oktava 012 that has some modifications based on the Scott Dorsey mods that's very nice too, but the 219 has something special. Very clear and defined without being harsh. It's my new favorite. It sounds better than some of my more expensive mics.

[Seth Austen]

I bought an Oktava 319 when they were $100 at Musician's Friend, it's become my favorite mic for recording fiddle. Wish I'd bought an MC012 when they were available on sale. I have a pair of Shure SM81s that do a good job on mandolin, guitar, piano, etc. There are a lot of good choices out there, but only so much funds... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Seth

[glauber]

I think most players these days feel that condensor mics, particularly large-diaphragm ones, are to be preferred, but I'll recommend that you look at dynamic mics as well. Sennheiser MD-421s and 441s are great mics,
I second that. Great mics for recording or performance.

[mandopete]

Shure makes some wonderful instrument mics. #I use Shure Beta 57s for guitar, mandolin, dobro when I need really narrow pickup patterns.
See there Tony, I'm not the only one!

#http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Now here's a neat combo for recording - Neuman KM-184 and a Royer R-121!

[TonyP]

hmmm, huh? wat the.....you talkin' to me? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Tebbie bear]

anyone here have any experience with the Rode NT2-a? they seem to get great reviews and are not too expensive.

[steve V. johnson]

Re: AE 5100

There's a fellow name of Ty Ford, lives in Baltimore and does reviews of a lot fo nice audio gear, and he turned me onto the AE AudioTechnicas. I'm sorry to hear that the 5100 has been discontinued... Well... sort of... <GGG> I may go looking for some now that they're no longer in the 'main line'... <GG>

Re: Royer Ribbon mics

I have a bunch of old ribbon mics and I love them. BUT... the Royers are just plain splendid. Versatile and honest.

Big wow on those.

stv

[mythicfish]

People who are in the actual business of recording have their personal preferences; and like mandolins, the differences between most quality microphones are also personal. After you get to a certain level of quality, the similarities outweigh the differences. All too often recording technique gets in the way of what you're trying to communicate and becomes a surrogate for artistic expression.

Curt