mic shootout

[BenjaminK]

here is a mic shootout with a AKG C414 XLS and a Neumann KM184.

Used gear = Larrivée L09 - Mic - audient ID22 - DAW

I did use some EQ (my room isn't the best...), compression and a reverb.

what's you're favorite?

greetings

[Glennwillow]

Hi Benjamin,

I thought both mics sounded excellent and so was your playing. Very good sound overall!

If I had to choose one, I think I preferred the C414 for its slightly fuller sound, a little more low end. However, I don't know what is the more accurate sound based on your guitar, so I can judge based only on what I hear. I am using Neumann KH120 active speakers and a 10" active Presonus subwoofer.

Very enjoyable demo Benjamin!

- Glenn

[BenjaminK]

Hey Glenn,

thanks for you're reply! The AKG does have more of a fuller sound, and ik like it! but on the other hand, the neumann has a lovely top-end!! i love that these are two amazing microphones... but really different.

greetings!

[Glennwillow]

Hi Benjamin,

I bet using both of those mics to record your guitar in stereo would sound great!

- Glenn

[rockabilly69]

any way you could repost the track without the EQ, compression, and reverb?

[guitarman68]

Hi,

sounds great, because your playing is as great as your editing/processing.
I love both mics, but if I had to decide, I would take the AKG for its slightly warmer sound - more full bodied with less hyped trebles IMHO.

[ITB]

Very nice playing!

I've always like the KM184's sheen on acoustics.

With close cardioid micing of the soundhole there's often some proximity effect so you might try a retest placing the mics about 18" away and directed at the 12th fret and you may find you need less EQ and compression with that mic placement.

You might also try the AKG on omni setting at 12" distance for a different flavor.

Again nice playing

[Bob Womack]

And here are the lessons from the exercise:

1) As two classes, LDCs typically have a smoother, broader midrange and SDCs typically have more shimmery highs.
2) There isn't really a right and wrong between the two, only a desired outcome and the choice that achieves it for you.

As far as mics go, every dog will have its day. One day an engineer at my place came up with a really good kick drum sound and got it in a pretty wacky way. The result was a great lesson in mic utilization. The story is HERE.

Bob

[Dustinfurlow]

Really nice comparison...speaking as a former L-09 owner and current owner of a custom L-09 I think the AKG better represents the sound you’d hear if you were in the room with that guitar. The rosewood L’s midrange tambre is and will probably always be one of my favorite acoustic guitar tones...captured it really well man

[rick-slo]

On this particular recording I prefer the slightly warmer sound of the AKG C414. Might sound even better in stereo using both mikes.

[jim1960]

I prefer the 414 by quite a bit. The 184 seemed a bit harsh on top, enough so that it was distracting on some notes. But I'm not sure if that's the mic or the eq.

[LiveMusic]

My first reaction was to choose the 184 due to a slightly 'softer sweeter' sound but upon second listen, hard to tell, both sound great.