Re: Your favorite type of microphone for recording your Mandolin?
The 'paper' frequency response is not necessarily that useful in a real-world context. For example, some of the most revered vintage ribbons had quite limited HF responses - but they sound gorgeous on mandolin and banjo because they have a phenomenally 'fast' and above all 'smooth' sound. Very dynamic without any trace of harshness. You get a major drop-off at just 10kHz on an RCA 77, for example.... on paper it looks pretty bad, but hearing it...
On a budget, some of the quite low cost ribbon mics can be very good indeed too. The only real drawback is their very low output so you need a really clean, high-gain input on your preamp/interface. Alternatively, a Triton FETHEAD inline booster will make a big difference.
Gibson F5 'Harvey' Fern, Gibson F5 'Derrington' Fern
Distressed Silverangel F 'Esmerelda' aka 'Maxx'
Northfield Big Mon #127
Ellis F5 Special #288
'39 & '45 D-18's, 1950 D-28.
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