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Hi

I record songs in a voice and acoustic guitar format (no other instruments). I'm searching for a nice stereo mic (up to about £500/$1000). I've tried the RODE NT4 but the tone wasn't quite there for me.

I'm now considering the Studio Projects LSD-2 and also the Shure VP88 (the latter is better known as a field/broadcast mic, but I have seen it mentioned as a capable mic for recording acoustic guitar).

Has anyone used either of these mics for recording acoustic guitar, and if so, how do you rate them for this task?

Spark

Comments

BobRogers Fri, 05/11/2007 - 17:37

I'll be interested in reviews of the LSD-2. I've considered it as well. But in the end I decided to add a second AKG C414B-ULS to my collection. I know I was taking a chance on getting one that matched pretty well, but I'm happy with the results. It's more than you are budgeting - even on eBay - especially when throwing in good stereo bar and shock mounts. But a pair of multipattern mics is obviously much more versatile than a stereo mic. I was able to use them as spaced omnis today when recording the local high school orchestra.

Something to think about at least.

Boswell Sun, 05/13/2007 - 05:23

Assuming you are talking about a multi-track studio recording (as opposed to recording a live performance), I would second Zemlin's suggestion about using a pair of mics to retain flexibility.

When deciding how to mic a new singer/guitarist, I will talk to the artist about what sort of recorded sound (s)he wants to achieve. Then I listen to the acoustic sound for a while, watch how still (s)he can sit and look at exactly how (s)he achieves the tone. Only then will I decide how to mic it. Often I will opt for recording the guitar in M-S using a pair of LDCs. Sometimes a single SDC can give better results. Although I have had good recordings from an NT4 stereo mic, the positional flexibility is not as great as with individual mics.

I will always take a pickup track as well, as it is a valuable resource at mixdown, used sparingly.

As I have said in other thread replies, the artist frequently wants to be represented by a recorded sound that is never present acoustically. So you as the engineer have to be a bit of a magician as well.

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