Recording acoustic: Mic choice

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

The Brauners do have a bit of something extra that probably can't be just EQ'd in. They are what I use for almost all studio recordings, and they usually just sound finished with no EQ needed. They were pricey, but I've had them for a decade now, so price per recording is now pretty low.

If you had presented the AT track with no other track in comparison, I've no doubt most people would compliment the sound. It's not bad by any stretch. But when you contrast it to the Brauner, the weaknesses of the AT mics become apparent...

On the low end there's a thickness and roundness to the tone that creates an illusion of greater sustain. The transients are much more pleasant on the Brauner where there's a slight harshness on the AT. That becomes more evident on the higher frequency notes. The Brauner is clearly the better mic but for the price, the AT is hitting above its weight class.

But will it do that for everybody? I'm doubtful. I haven't tested this theory but my observation is that there's some validity to it: Better players can coax a better sound from a weak mic. In other words, a weak mic will expose and accentuate the shortcomings of a bad player more so than that of an accomplished player

I also accept that it's possible for it to simply be an aural illusion created when we hear an excellent player still sounding excellent on cheap mics. Sort of in the same way we can be fooled into thinking a track is better than another by a difference in loudness, it may be true that we are fooled into thinking a mic is better than it is by the talent of the player being recorded.

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by jim1960

I haven't tested this theory but my observation is that there's some validity to it: Better players can coax a better sound from a weak mic. In other words, a weak mic will expose and accentuate the shortcomings of a bad player more so than that of an accomplished player

Frequently said as is "it's the player, not the guitar". Purely aural wise I think those sayings are quite exaggerated. Lots of factors involved in how a recording ends up sounding.

[Glennwillow]

I have to say that after listening to so many of Doug's recordings, both audio and video, that everything Doug does sounds fantastic.

I know the sound of the AT2020 because I bought one of these when they first came out. I tried it out in comparison to the AT4050 mics I have, and had much the same thoughts that Jim had above. (That is, "On the low end there's a thickness and roundness to the tone that creates an illusion of greater sustain. The transients are much more pleasant on the Brauner [or higher quality microphones, in general, I will add] where there's a slight harshness on the AT. [Yes, that's what I heard, also, in my audition of the AT2020.] That becomes more evident on the higher frequency notes.)

The interesting thing is, I don't hear very much in the way of the negatives of the AT2020 in Doug's comparative recordings. I think mostly because Doug is such a good player and also because maybe he was lucky on that take and on whatever placement he used and so the recording came out better than it should have. I agree that the "B" take sounds better, but the "A" take sounds surprisingly good. Doug has a very even, well controlled picking attack where the transients are not terribly aggressive, and I think that helps an inexpensive mic like the AT2020 sound better than it should.

- Glenn

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

. I think mostly because Doug is such a good player and also because maybe he was lucky on that take and on whatever placement he used and so the recording came out better than it should have. I agree that the "B" take sounds better, but the "A" take sounds surprisingly good. Doug has a very even, well controlled picking attack where the transients are not terribly aggressive, and I think that helps an inexpensive mic like the AT2020 sound better than it should. Glenn

I don't believe that the AT2020 sounds "better than it should" because I've heard it used in other recordings by other players, nowhere near Doug's ability and it sounded quite good.

On the other hand I wouldn't recommend one because for a bit more money it's possible to get a mic without that edgy quality in the highs that slightly bothers me about it.

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by jim1960

If you had presented the AT track with no other track in comparison...

That's always the issue with shootouts. They're a bit artificial. Normally, we just listen to music and it sounds good or it doesn't. I've got lots of recordings (other people) that I really like, until I start critically listening and comparing, and then realize the tune is well played, but the recording is less than ideal. But I'd never notice if I didn't zero in and compare to some other recording.

Even with mics of similar caliber, you get differences where you can chase your tail. I often record with both my Schoeps and Brauners, then get to choose which sounds better on any given track. Often the Brauners sound good on Monday, the Schoeps sound better on Tuesday, etc. If I only had one to choose from, I'd just be worrying about whether I played the tune well :-)

[Andy Howell]

Mics are important but great mics can sound terrible in a badly treated room!

We are now living through a new golden age in recording technology and some of the smaller diphram mics are superb — affordable options from Lewitt, Sontronics and so on (and of course there are many other).

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

That's always the issue with shootouts. They're a bit artificial. Normally, we just listen to music and it sounds good or it doesn't. I've got lots of recordings (other people) that I really like, until I start critically listening and comparing, and then realize the tune is well played, but the recording is less than ideal. But I'd never notice if I didn't zero in and compare to some other recording.

Even with mics of similar caliber, you get differences where you can chase your tail. I often record with both my Schoeps and Brauners, then get to choose which sounds better on any given track. Often the Brauners sound good on Monday, the Schoeps sound better on Tuesday, etc. If I only had one to choose from, I'd just be worrying about whether I played the tune well :-)

Ha!! second verse came to mind