Recording acoustic guitar

[Folkrocket]

So yesterday I spent several hours recording my Guild/DTAR and trying all sorts of effects combinations. I found the best sound I could get was no effects at all with decreasing the gain going into the recorder. THEN, I found an old microphone, a Peavey cardioid dynamic is what it has marked on it. Tried that w/o the pick-up, aimed at the sound hole, maybe a little toward the frets and it was like night and day. Still not perfect, if that's even possible, but a LOT better than using the pick-up. I'm really pleased and I think now I'm on the right track. I understand a condenser mic is the way to go. Does anyone have any suggestions on a reasonably priced condenser mic? This is just for me and doesn't necessarily have to be "pro" grade.

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by Folkrocket

So yesterday I spent several hours recording my Guild/DTAR and trying all sorts of effects combinations. I found the best sound I could get was no effects at all with decreasing the gain going into the recorder. THEN, I found an old microphone, a Peavey cardioid dynamic is what it has marked on it. Tried that w/o the pick-up, aimed at the sound hole, maybe a little toward the frets and it was like night and day. Still not perfect, if that's even possible, but a LOT better than using the pick-up. I'm really pleased and I think now I'm on the right track. I understand a condenser mic is the way to go. Does anyone have any suggestions on a reasonably priced condenser mic? This is just for me and doesn't necessarily have to be "pro" grade.

Before buying a condenser mic you should confirm that your recorder provides the phantom power required by most of them. I'm not having a lot of luck tracking down this info with web searches, you should look through your manual and/or settings to see if 48v phantom power is available. I believe the HD8CD does have phantom, but I don't know if yours is that model.

If phantom is not available, then any condenser mic you choose must be self powered, either by an internal battery (Rode NT3 or AKG C1000s among a few others) or an external power supply (various tube mics).

I'm not, however, endorsing the idea that you _need_ a condenser. I would recommend instead that you do lots of recording with what you have.

Fran

[Bob Womack]

There are inexpensive p48 supplies available if your unit doesn't have it. I'm eyeing one for a little 1970s Neve mixer I own.


Bob

[Folkrocket]

Thanks - My unit does have 48v phantom power.