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I'm looking for a decent microphone around the $100 price range. I will use it to record acoustic guitar and vocals and will be recording it on my laptop.

After reading through several threads I'm contemplating the Audio-Technica AT3035 and Shure SM57 or 58. I was wondering which one would you recommend to get the best quality sound for the acoustic guitar and vocals, or would you recommend a completely different mic?

Comments

Guitarfreak Tue, 04/28/2009 - 22:56

The 3035, is now the 2035, same mic just new name. I have heard excellent things about it and am planning on purchasing it in the near future. Until then my SM58 does a fine job, excellent for vocals if you ask me. In fact today I helped a friend record some V/O. Came out pretty nicely. Does your interface have built-in phantom power?

FlyBass Fri, 05/01/2009 - 05:40

I own an Shure SM57 and an AT 3035 and use them both often; they were the first mics I bought when I started putting together my home studio.

The AT 3035 was my first choice for most voices and the SM57 for most instruments, but either one would work for the other. The AT 3035 is flat to bright sounding and the SM57 is flat to dark sounding. Since the AT 3035 is a condenser microphone, it needs phantom power (usually supplied by your mixer or audio interface).

Either of these mics would be a good choice, but if you could only buy one, I would start with the SM57.