Mics and Miking

Here you can discuss details about instruments, equipment and all those other bits that non-musicians won't understand !

Moderator: GORDON

User avatar
Mike Stranks
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:47 pm
Location: Cirencester, UK

Mics and Miking

Postby Mike Stranks » Thu Jun 19, 2014 12:02 am

Now, where was I...?

Ah yes! First-off, Russ and I have both made a mistake about the numbering of the Sennheiser 'posh' cab-mic. It's the 906, not 609 - and a very nice mic it is too.

For those on a budget who need to mic an acoustic guitar for live use - and recording at a pinch - check-out the Thomann T.Bone Ovid mic and it's various attachments. You can get attachments for guitars, cellos, fiddles, double-basses, pianos, flutes etc etc etc.

The various clamps are lightweight and rubber-faced so won't damage instruments. There's then a mic on a very thin gooseneck which you can angle into position as appropriate. It can be powered either from mixer/interface phantom-power or via the 'plug-in-power' from a radio-mic pack.

A very versatile system which punches above its weight:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/ovid_series.html

So now a little bit about miking for recording...

Most folks know about the 'standard' position about 30 cms or so away from the 12th fret, but it's important to bear in mind that this is a starting point for experimenting and by no means the only place you can put a mic. So much depends on the mic being used, the sound of the room in which you're, recording, the way you play the instrument etc etc.

I've achieved some good results by using one mic slightly higher up the neck - roughly frets 10-6 and one below the bridge - roughly. Blending those two gives a nice balance of body and string sounds. Normally you'd want to avoid pointing a mic at the sound-hole as that will result in a very boomy resonant sound.

You may find this video - featuring a well-known guitarist :D - helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VzZU_8XPPU

Please come back with any comments, questions etc - and Russ will do his best to answer them!!

Mike
The older I get, the better I used to be

User avatar
Russ Gannicott
Posts: 222
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:28 pm

Re: Mics and Miking

Postby Russ Gannicott » Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:56 pm

Ahh, no Mike! In my case it is both the 606 and 609 that I really like for guitar cabinet micing, though I do have to say, I am really favouring the Sonntronics Halo these days! For those wanting to record acoustic guitar and/or vocals on a budget, my newest 'go-to' is the Rode M3 small diaphram condenser. Half the price of a C1000 and twice as good!! Brilliant piece of Aussie kit!!
Russ

User avatar
Mike Stranks
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:47 pm
Location: Cirencester, UK

Re: Mics and Miking

Postby Mike Stranks » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:56 am

Doh! Sorry Russ... :)

Yes, the M3 is a great mic - although I don't have one, I have heard excellent reports. The esteemed Mr Robjohns was very impressed when he reviewed it.

I am a great fan of "Rodes" - currently have:

2 x NT3
1 x NT4
2 x NT5 (matched pair)

I have also just rediscovered the Beyer 201 - a mic I used extensively in the 70s when working in local radio. Only recently phased-out in BBC local radio studios - and indeed the 'Today' programme - as a contributor mic. It's very versatile and produces great results from a number of sources.
The older I get, the better I used to be


Return to “Guitar Anoraks Forum”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 43 guests