Folks,
Please can you someone suggest me a good small diaphragm condenser mic.
Recently I bought a AT4040 which I use on my Taylor acoustic guitar. I want to stereo mic. I ended using the AT4040 with my SM57. The recording is not up to the mark. Maybe if I experiment a lot more with the mic placements it might help. But folks at this forum say that for acoustic guitars the SDC mics are the best.
I am a budget musician and want to buy a SDC in the 150 - 200 price range. I zeroed down on the Audio technical AT3031 or AT3032. I intend to use one of these along with my AT404 LDC.
What are you suggestions / comments.
thanks
Comments
jahtao and TRA are right that just the 4040 should be ok. Recor
jahtao and TRA are right that just the 4040 should be ok. Record the guitar mono, double track it (record the part again) and pan L/R to get an amazing image.
But if you really want to record in pairs and want an SDC to match up with your 4040 for under $200 take a serious look at an Oktava MK-012 with the cardioid or omni capsule from The Sound Room. Their Oktava's are hand picked and worth every penny and are under $200. Oktava capsules from the sound room are really sweet as are the preamp bodies. An AKG C1000 is a nice choice, the R0de NT5 is nice, the AT's you chose will surely get the job done too. Also IMHO, if you're "rebel" enough, there's not a better SDC on the market for $200 than Scott Helmke's "Alice" mic (http://www.scotthelmke.com/alice-mic.html).
Then again, you can always opt for another LDC and get yerself an AT3035 which is a very, very sweet LDC for AC guitars and would complement your 4040 nicely for under $200.
You've got a lot of choices and that makes it fun.
The AT4040 should be ok. Here is the "chain" of recording an ac
The AT4040 should be ok. Here is the "chain" of recording an acoustic.
Good guitarist > good instrument > good sounding room > good mic > good preamp
Off the bat I know that your mic and your guitar are good. How are the other things listed in comparison?
As far as a pair of SDC's go....in your budget....Oktava. They are pretty damn good for a low price. You may have to sit down with a bunch of em and match them yourself though.
I sold mine for some Rode NT5's and I'm sorry that I did. Next up...Josephson C42's!!!!