LDC, Dynamic, and Ribbon mics preferred by AGF members

[jim1960]

Another reference list for members to use.

If you post what you think has worked well for you over the years when recording acoustic guitar, I'll add it to the list (there's a separate thread for sdc mics).
Please save me a little time by providing a price for the mic if bought new. If the mic is no longer available to purchase new, just let me know and I'll research some estimation of a used price.

Large Diaphragm Condensers
Audio Technica AT-2035 ($150) (TBMan)
Blue Spark ($200) (Dave Hicks)
Rode NT1 ($230) (Bob Womack) (Silly Moustache)
Rode NT1A ($230) (Bob Womack)
ADK A6 ($250) (jim1960)
sE Electronics SE2200 ($300) (RodB)
Sony ECM56-F (vintage $350-500) (RRuskin)
Audio Technica AT4033 ($400) (Doug Young)
AKG C414-TLII (vintage $500-1000) (RRuskin)
MXL Revelation I ($500) (Bob Womack)
Rode NT200 ($600) (Bob Womack)
AKGC414B-ULS (vintage $800-1400) (Bob Womack)
AKG C414 B-XL II ($1100) (jim1960)
Neumann TLM 103 ($1100) (Doug Young) (Bob Womack)
JZ Amethyst Vintage ($1200) (rockabilly69)
Audio Technica AT4050ST ($1300) (Doug Young)
Sony C-37P (vintage $1300-2600) (RRuskin)
Audio-Technica AT5045 ($1400, $2500/pair) (Cocobolo Kid)
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 ($1500, additional cost for more emulations) (Doug Young)
Gefell UM70 ($1650) (gwlee7)
JZ Microphones Globe ($1650) (rockabilly69)
AKG C414 COMB (vintage $1750-2500) (Bob Womack)
AKG "The Tube" (vintage $1800-3000) (Bob Womack)
Pearlman TM-1, recent manufacture date ($1800) (Brent Hahn)
Blue Kiwi ($2000) (jim1960)
Sony C-38B ($2200) (RRuskin)
ADK Z MOD 251 Tube ($3000) (KevWind)
Brauner FET Phantom V ($3000) (KevWind)
Neumann U89 ($3000) (Doug Young) (Bob Womack)
Neumann TLM-170 ($3100) (Bob Womack)
Neumann U87 ($3200) (Brent Hahn)
AKG 414EB (vintage $4000-5000) (Brent Hahn)
Flea 47 ($4100) (Brent Hahn)
Sony C-37A (vintage $6000-8000) (RRuskin)
Brauner VM1 ($6500) (Doug Young)
Neumann U47 (vintage $13500-19000) (Bob Womack)


Dynamic
Sennheiser 845 ($120) (Nama Ensou)
Audio Technica AE6100 ($185) (Nama Ensou)
Sennheiser MD421 ($200) (Bob Womack) (RRuskin)
Heil PR35 ($265) (Nama Ensou)
Electro Voice EV-666 (vintage around $350) (Brent Hahn)
Electro Voice RE-15 (vintage $400-700) (RRuskin)
Beyerdynamic M88 ($400) (Brent Hahn)
Sennheiser MD 441N (vintage around $500) (Brent Hahn)
Sennheiser MD 441 ($900) (Brent Hahn) (Bob Womack)


Ribbon
Sterling Audio ST170 ($250) (TBMan)
sE Electronics VR1 ($400) (gwlee7)
Beyerdynamic M160 ($700) (Brent Hahn) (RRuskin)
Cascade X-15 ($750) (Doug Young)
Fostex M22RP (vintage about $950) (RRuskin)
AEA N22 ($1000) (KevWind) (Doug Young)
Blue Woodpecker ($1000) (jim1960)
AEA R84 ($1100) (RRuskin)
RCA 77 (vintage $1200-2400) (Brent Hahn)
Shure KSM313/NE ($1300) (gwlee7)
Coles 4038 ($1400) (Brent Hahn)
Cloud JRS-34 ($1500) (rockabilly69)
RCA 77-DX (vintage $1500-2300) (RRuskin)
Royer R-122 ($1800) (Cocobolo Kid) (Bob Womack)
Mesanovic Model 2S ($1950) (jim1960)
AEA R88 ($2000) (Doug Young)
RCA 44 ($2800) (Brent Hahn) (RRuskin)
Royer SF24 ($4300) (Doug Young)

[TBman]

I have a pair of AT-2035 LDC they were $150 each. I haven't recorded with anything else for quite a while

I also have a Sterling active ribbon mic, a ST-170 ($250). I haven't used it that much, but I should . I'm not sure which of my mics to pair it with (LDC or SDC?). Not sure if it matters.

[RodB]

Hi Jim,

The sE Electronics SE2200 has been around in it’s various forms for quite a while and is a well respected LDC for voice especially, but gives nice results on acoustic guitar as well. I have used a pair of SE2200a for several years.

Amy Winehouse recorded on them...

Latest model $300

[Cocobolo Kid]

After trying several different mics and combinations over the years, my current (and probably last for quite a while) setup is a spaced stereo pair of Audio-Technica AT5045 LDC's and a Royer R-122 ribbon mic in the middle for some extra body and ribbon magic.

The AT5045's currently sell new for $1400 each or $2500 per stereo pair. The R-122 (the MKII newer version) sells for $1800. I point the back side of the R-122 at the guitar because it is an offset ribbon and the back side is brighter and sounds better for acoustic instruments. The front side is recommended for loud sources such as a guitar amp/cabinet.

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

After trying several different mics and combinations over the years, my current (and probably last for quite a while) setup is a spaced stereo pair of Audio-Technica AT5045 LDC's and a Royer R-122 ribbon mic in the middle for some extra body and ribbon magic.

The AT5045's currently sell new for $1400 each or $2500 per stereo pair. The R-122 (the MKII newer version) sells for $1800. I point the back side of the R-122 at the guitar because it is an offset ribbon and the back side is brighter and sounds better for acoustic instruments. The front side is recommended for loud sources such as a guitar amp/cabinet.

John, do you have any recordings of this setup posted? I've been intrigued by the AT5040 and 5045s for a while, but haven't tried them.

[Cocobolo Kid]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

John, do you have any recordings of this setup posted? I've been intrigued by the AT5040 and 5045s for a while, but haven't tried them.

Doug,

I got busy doing other home projects (including a main bathroom remodel) after I purchased the mics, so I only recorded a few test doodles. I will record something in the next few weeks and post it. I've been meaning to try and have more fun recording, even if I don't play at your level, so this will give me a push.

Off topic, I was reading about these studio monitors today, and wished I had your pocketbook to try them out. They look fantastic:
https://exmachinasound.com/services-...%20New%20York.

[Nama Ensou]

My personal three favorite dynamics are:

Heil PR35 $265
Audio Technica AE6100 $185
Sennheiser 845 $120 (I didn't like the 945 and sold it fairly quickly)

Used to have a couple of Sennheiser 441 mics and they're still considered a pretty nice mic. $500-800

[Dave Hicks]

Blue Spark (LDC) $200

D.H.

[KevWind]

I posted about these Ribbons in SDC thread but understand him wanting to make a distinction.

For LDC
Brauner FET Phantom V (V for variable pattern Omni, Cardioid, Figure Eight)
$3000

ADK Z MOD 251 Tube mic. ( 9 polar pattern incrementally adjustable from Cardioid - Omni -Figure Eight)
$3000

For Ribbon

AEA NT 22 phantom powered ribbon, figure 8
$999

[Doug Young]

What I have used:

LDs

Brauner VM1 ~$6000
Audio Technica AT4050ST stereo mic: $1300
Audio Technica 4033: $399
Neumann TLM 103: $1100
Neumann U89: ~$3000

Ribbons:

AEA R88 stereo : $2000
AEA N22 - $1000
Royer SF24 stereo: $4300
Cascade X-15 stereo: $750

[Brent Hahn]

My favorites (don't necessarily own them);

Dynamic:

Sennheiser 441
Sennheiser 421N (original cream-colored)
EV 666
Beyerdynamic M88

Non-insanely-expensive condenser

tube

Flea 47
Pearlman TM-1 (latest versions -- the early ones are too bright)

FET

AKG 414EB Teflon capsule
Neumann U87
Neumann KM84
Neumann KM86

Ribbon

Coles 4038
RCA 44
RCA 77
Beyerdynamic M160
AEA -- everything they make

[Bob Womack]

Stuff I've worked with:

Large diaphragm condenser
Neumann U-47 $19,000 vintage
Neumann M-49 $17,000 vintage
Neumann TLM-170 (Red badge, grey band) (Red badge, red band) $3100
Neumann TLM-103 $900
Neumann U-89 $3100
Neumann KMS-104 $700
Neumann KMS-105 $700
AKG C-414Comb (1971) $2500 vintage
AKGC414B-ULS ($800) vintage
AKG "The Tube" ($2000) vintage
Mojave MA-201FET $700
Rode NT1A $229
Rode NT1 $299
Rode NT2 $399
Rode NT200 $600
MXL Revelation I $1000 now replaced with Version II, $500

Ribbons
Royer R-122P48
Beyer M500 $400
RCA BK5B $1500

Large diaphragm dynamic
Sennheiser MD441 $900
Sennheiser MD421 $200
EV RE20 $400
EV RE27 $500

Plus a bunch of drum-specific mics and I'm sure I've forgotten a bunch as well. It happens after all these years.

Bob

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by jim1960

Another reference list for members to use.

If you post what you think has worked well for you over the years, I'll add it to the list (there's a separate thread for sdc mics).
Pleaae save me a little time by providing a price for the mic if bought new. If the mic is no longer available to purchase new, just let me know and I'll research some estimation of a used price.

Large Diaphragm Condensers
Audio Technica AT-2035 ($150) (TBMan)
Blue Spark ($200) (Dave Hicks)
ADK A6 ($250) (jim1960)
sE Electronics SE2200 ($300) (RodB)
Audio Technica AT4033 ($400) (Doug Young)
AKG C414 B-XL II ($1100) (jim1960)
Audio Technica AT4050ST ($1300) (Doug Young)
Neumann TLM 103 ($1100) (Doug Young)
Audio-Technica AT5045 ($1400, $2500/pair) (Cocobolo Kid)
Blue Kiwi ($2000) (jim1960)
ADK Z MOD 251 Tube ($3000) (KevWind)
Brauner FET Phantom V ($3000) (KevWind)
Neumann U89 ($3000) (Doug Young)
Brauner VM1 ($6500) (Doug Young)


Dynamic
Sennheiser 845 ($120) (Nama Ensou)
Audio Technica AE6100 ($185) (Nama Ensou)
Heil PR35 ($265) (Nama Ensou)


Ribbon
Sterling Audio ST170 ($250) (TBMan)
Cascade X-15 ($750) (Doug Young)
AEA N22 ($1000) (KevWind) (Doug Young)
Blue Woodpecker ($1000) (jim1960)
Royer R-122 ($1800) (Cocobolo Kid)
Mesanovic Model 2S ($1950) (jim1960)
AEA R88 ($2000) (Doug Young)
Royer SF24 ($4300) (Doug Young)

For Large Diaphragm Condensers I love the JZ Globe Vintage (will soon be available again) and JZ Amethyst Vintage ($1199) https://usashop.jzmic.com/products/amethyst

For Ribbons I like the Cloud JRS-34 ($1499)

[gwlee7]

These are what I have been using lately:

LDC Gefell UM70

SDC Gefell M295 and M34

Ribbons Shure KSM 313 and sE Electronics VR1

[AcousticDreams]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Stuff I've worked with:

Large diaphragm condenser
Neumann U-47 $19,000 vintage
Neumann M-49 $17,000 vintage
Neumann TLM-170 (Red badge, grey band) (Red badge, red band) $3100
Neumann TLM-103 $900
Neumann U-89 $3100
Neumann KMS-104 $700
Neumann KMS-105 $700
AKG C-414Comb (1971) $2500 vintage
AKGC414B-ULS ($800) vintage
AKG "The Tube" ($2000) vintage
Mojave MA-201FET $700
Rode NT1A $229
Rode NT1 $299
Rode NT2 $399
Rode NT200 $600
MXL Revelation I $1000 now replaced with Version II, $500

Ribbons
Royer R-122P48
Beyer M500 $400
RCA BK5B $1500

Large diaphragm dynamic
Sennheiser MD441 $900
Sennheiser MD421 $200
EV RE20 $400
EV RE27 $500

Plus a bunch of drum-specific mics and I'm sure I've forgotten a bunch as well. It happens after all these years.

Bob

Can you tell us Bob, which are your favorites LDC's for Acoustic guitar. In your list I would be most interested to hear about the 49 and 170.