Take a look through the posts over in the Acoustic music forum (a couple sections down on the main page)... You'll find a lot of answers to your questions there. There are (of course) a large number of varying opinions, but it will give you some ideas on where to start...

I like a variety of mics from Schoeps and Sennheiser MKH series on the clean end, to Royer and Coles ribbons to vintage Neumann tube mics. I like pres with a little bit of character to them- Vac Rac and Hardy being favorites, but I'm also looking forward to trying the DAV Electronic ones... Others like Grace and Millennia (both excellent products as well that I wouldn't mind having).

Well, glad to see you here...

--Ben

Thanks for the reply; I like the idea of ribbons, what do you think of the AEA R84? How does that compare with Coles 4038/40?

I'll check out the acoustic forum too, apologies if I'm in the wrong place... :oops:

Can't really say as I haven't used the R84 or the coles 4040... I have used the 4038 a lot and it is a favorite of mine. I think the top end on the Royer is a bit better, though- and the R122's active stage makes it a joy to work with.

--Ben