What are your favorite recording microphones?

[Dustinfurlow]

I've been recording simple home-studio tunes with an Audio Technica 4033, recommended for live use by my friend and guitar-ace Stephen Bennett, but I'm just curious to hear about some exceptional mics that have a great "bang for your buck" to em. Spaced pair or large diaphragm, let's hear it!

[Tico]

My favorite mic is my stereo pair of AKG C-414 mics, so transparent and clear.
They're super flexible with adjustments for 5 pick up patterns (without buying 5 expensive screw-on capsules) 4 bass rolloff settings, and 4 attenuation settings.

A close second are my Sennheiser MD-441s, which I bought new in Germany back in the 70s.
They are dynamic (passive) cardioid mics but sound like fine condensers.
I won't bring my 414s to live gigs, but I will bring the 441s.

Occasionally I'll record a vocalist who insists on using one of my Shure SM-58 mics.
At only $99 those indestructible workhorses are a killer value!
They are so ubiquitous on stage that some vocalists have bonded with them and consider them part of their sound.

My DPA D:VOTE VO-4099G is a tiny shotgun supercardioid condenser that clips onto the guitar for live performance.
It is also a stunning mic for recording.

I lust for a pair of Schoeps Colette small condensers, but the bucks just ain't there.
A friend lent me his holy grail Newmann U-87 and OH EM GEE! ... that thing really sparkles on vocals, on anything really.
What a joy to try that baby out ... another mic I'll never own.

There will always be something better, but I'm very fortunate to have what I have.

[greenshoe]

Shure SM7 (not to be confused with the SM57) - great for strong male vocals (Michael Jackson's main mic on THRILLER).

Neumann TLM-103 - my go to most of the time (I've had this for almost 15+ years now).

I used to have a matched pair of Rode NT5s which were great for acoustic guitars (bright but not brittle).

I worked at a studio that had the 414s Tico mentioned. If I were to do it over again I'd probably have the 414 over the TLM103.

As you may know, preamps are also a big part of the equation when it comes to sound. I currently use a Great River ME-1NV which I've had for ages - lots of warmth that emulates the old Neve consoles. It does an amazing job of making just about any mic sound great.

[steelvibe]

Dustin you would sound great on a cell phone mic- just sayin'

[Sanban]

I have a matched pair of Rode NT5's which I am very happy with. (I only record acoustic guitar with them). However I am pretty 'green' at recording so take your cues from those that know what they are talking about.

[ChuckS]

I've been working on home recording of solo arrangements on my acoustic steel string guitars. I've pretty much settled in on stereo recording using spaced pair micing.

I've used cardioid sdc pairs as well as omni pairs. I still use 3 Zigma mics, with swappable capsules, for the cardioids. I used to use 3 Zigma omnis as well, but got a pair of Gefell M296S omnis earlier this year. The mics are fed into clean preamps; a pair of Speck 5.0 MicPre. My favorites are the Gefells. My goal for the recordings is 'realism', and this setup works well for that.

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Dustin you would sound great on a cell phone mic- just sayin'

I think that pretty much covers it.

Great player = great sound.

[BluesKing777]

I need all the help I can get, so the (one) Neumann KM184 has been a life changer. Great for flat eq easy no fuss acoustic recordings!


BluesKing777.

[Dustinfurlow]

[QUOTE=BluesKing777;5463665]I need all the help I can get, so the (one) Neumann KM184 has been a life changer. Great for flat eq easy no fuss acoustic recordings!

My roommate (also a fingerstyle player) had a pair of KM-184s and man, such great mics. He traded them in for studio-time and I've missed em ever since. Thats kind of where my mind was going...they're not cheap but they seem to be the standard.

[Dustinfurlow]

Originally Posted by BluesKing777

I need all the help I can get, so the (one) Neumann KM184 has been a life changer. Great for flat eq easy no fuss acoustic recordings!


BluesKing777.

My roommate (also a fingerstyle player) had a pair of KM-184s and man, such great mics. He traded them in for studio-time and I've missed em ever since. Thats kind of where my mind was going...they're not cheap but they seem to be the standard

[Jeff Scott]

A pair of AT4021s here.

[tippy5]

I love my (single) Neumann KM184. Clear....

Same mic they used for the SB side stage showcase.
I got mine used for 500$ on eBay, from a Hollywood studio.
Needs phantom 48V DC power.

[RodB]

I use a pair of SE Electronics SE2200A microphones, since 2012, so can't remember what they cost, but were reasonable and I like the sound.

[DHart]

Good thread. I will be looking for a nice mic to record my acoustic guitars and vocals with. A good quality USB-capable mic would be nice (and convenient) to have.

[BluesKing777]

These 3 videos from Neumann Mics are really good - "How To Record Acoustic Guitar" Pt 1,2,3:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aivxxQLK9Qw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Fhl-SASMk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVb0ULL6EKE



BluesKing777.