What mic do you use on guitars?

Acoustic, electric, guitar cabs....etc

What do you use?

I pretty much mic amps with Shure 57s, acoustics with 58s. I' ve noticeds in the last year or so that ribbon condesner seem to be regarded as the magic bullet for everything.

An older Sennheiser e609. It seems to capture the critical frequencies and leave out the rest. Full disclosure: I've never owned a ribbon mike but look forward to the day. Fuller disclosure: I use sims more than live miking. But the 609, if you get it off the dome but not too far out on the edge of the cone, a little off axis, there's a sweet spot that sounds just like an electric guitar.

58

audix i5 or sm57

My fave on guitar cabs is an AEA R84 ribbon. Almost too easy. Or a dynamic. SM7, Beyer 201, 421, 609, 57 etc. I actually really like the little Senn "tom" mic - 602 or 604 (?) on some stuff. If I'm using a dynamic, I don't sweat it too much - any of the ones I've mentioned (and lots of others) all work fine.

I'm back to the AT 4033 for acoustic as my go to. Natural sounding (although not really "true"), can be relatively fast without getting too bright/strident and doesn't sound too "big" - often a good thing on an acoustic rhythm track. I don't own a good SDC though. Really depends on the guitar, player, room, song.

But, that's what I use.

Cheers,
Geoff

In the studio, whatever the engineer wants to use...

At home, it's usually a 57 on the grill, and if I have the right room, a condensor about 6' away on a stand, to capture the room.

Acoustics, it's a pair of condensors, currently I have an AKG Perception 200 and an MXL V67-not exactly the best mics out there, but I can get a sound out of them. AKG by the neck/body join, MXL down by the bridge... split them in stereo, it sounds huge!!!!

Franc Robert

The guitar amp mic I've used most is a EV Nd468. I've experimented with the AT4033 and Rode NT2000 also.

For acoustic recording I used the AT AE5100, the AT4033, the Rode NT5 and the Rode NT2000. The AE5100 gets used a lot now along with the Rode NT2000.

Acoustic guitar: Beyerdynamic M201
I've looked, but have found nothing better. These even make classical musicians happy with the sound.

Acoustic guitar: Beyerdynamic M201
I've looked, but have found nothing better. These even make classical musicians happy with the sound.

That's a dynamic mic, folks. I've never tried it on acoustic. I think I know what I'm doing tomorrow. Great on snare (top). I find it to be kinda fast/ clear/ hi-fi sounding, so it kinda makes sense that it might work on an acoustic.

Cheers,
Geoff

i use a pick and my fingers ... microphones are too big and clumsy and expensive ...:wink:

57 here, repositioning it a mere 1/4 inch makes a huge difference in tone.

For acoustic, I go back and forth between an Audio-Technica 4051a and ATM-450. They have different sounds. I've tried using 2 mics, like some suggestions I've seen, but had phase issues that I didn't have time to comprehend. I'd like to try a LDC someday if I ever get the cash for something decent.

I have a Beta 57a for my little amp, but I always go direct, or through the POD. More options, quiet, and I can do an electric track at midnight and the wife won't complain.

Sennheiser e906 on the middle setting.

I just recorded the Tele with a Sonotronic ribbon to see what would happen. It's incredible. I'm pretty bad at describing sounds...but this just sounds right.

I may have the song posted by the end of the weekend.

57 on electric and Rode NT1a (LDC) on acoustic, mainly 'cos they're the best mic's I've got. Still experimenting with placement though.

My fave on guitar cabs is an AEA R84 ribbon. Almost too easy.



Ayup. I love my R84 for electrics, and sometimes on acoustic, depending on the application - and the guitar. I also use a Shure 545 or Neumann U89 sometimes.

An older Sennheiser e609. It seems to capture the critical frequencies and leave out the rest.

Yep! I really like to use these on heavy distorted guitars sometimes. Especially if both guitarists are using the same amp, so I can then use a standard 57 on the other side to avoid any phase cancellation.

For clean or non-heavy tones, I've had good results with AKG 414, Rode NT1, 57 Beta.

Acoustic guitars depends whether I put multiple mics on it, but usually an SE Gemini, 414 or a C451B.

It all depends on the context it's being mixed in though. Get it sounding right in the mix first before you start tweaking anything!

I used to use a Shure SM57 and it worked great, but I'm often playing in places with less-than-ideal space considerations and having a mic stand in front of my amp wasn't always convenient. So I got a Superlux PRA 628 mic, which is sort of a Sennheiser copy. It works great, and I can just thread the lead through the amp handle and hang it in front of the speaker.

Audix i5. Our soundman at church says it sounds better that the sm57 we were using.

Sennheiser e906 on the middle setting.

+1 for most of my home recording - very warm - I have 609 too but its a bit brighter and thinner imo - good for when you need more definition with heavier gain and tubbier low mids. For some room sound - a ribbon or a small condenser -+2 foot away (placement varies) from the cone is good as well as the grill mic.

Since all I have now is a 57, pr30 and red type 2 (b7) that's what I use now. I seldom play acoustic. I'll have to try that Red on it one day.

My favorite mic for an acoustic is an AKG C12A placed about 8-10 inches away, between the 12th fret and the soundhole.

For electric half stacks I like a Shure SM57 up against the speaker cloth and off-axis. Also a LDC between 1-3 ft away depending on the sound I'm after.

For small electric combo amps either a Sennheiser MD421 to help capture some of the bass, an SM57, or a LDC right against the speaker cloth, off-axis a bit. Maybe another LDC 1-3 ft away.

My favorite mic for an acoustic is an AKG C12A

Well, duh. If I had one it would be my favorite too I bet. Actually the capsule I have on my Red is the C12 so I have a fake one.

Calrec 1050

It depends on what type of music I'm playing and where. For the studio, I use an Audio-Technica AT4040 on resonator guitar and banjo. For recording acoustic guitar, I put the AT4040 around the largest part of the soundboard and I use an Audio-Technica AT4041 at the 12th fret. I have used the AT4040 for playing the reso live in a Bluegrass band. The venue has to be right for that. I also have an Audix i5, Audio-Technica ATM650, and a Shure Beta 57a for mic'ing instruments when I can't use a condenser mic but I still want to use a mic. Normally though, I just use the pickups live; I have pickups in all of my acoustic instruments. For electric guitar, I have an Eleven Rack, so I just plug it straight in for recording or live.