KVR Audio

MountainKing · Post by **MountainKing** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:45 pm

Hi,

I'm interested in your opinion - which mic would you prefer on

1) acoustic guitar and
2) on vocals.

Why?

So, here are the sounds (blind test) - nothing done on the files (no fx, noeq etc.):

Acoustic Guitar (PRS SE Angelus Custom)

Mic1
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31543287/A-Git1.wav

Mic2
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31543287/A-Git2.wav

Mic3
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31543287/A-Git3.wav

Vocals

Mic1
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/315 ... ocals1.wav

Mic2
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/315 ... ocals2.wav

edit:
Hmmm .... don't know why the links aren't working (or is it just me?). Anyway: "Open in new tab" should do it.

Looking forward ....

Regards Jens

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:00 pm

Wav files are cumbersome since I have to download them - so I did not listen.

But my search for mics were done when I found:

Acoustic guitar - DPA 4099G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0BTvy3Sy4

all the wooden aspects of the guitar comes through.

Vocals - Shure SM7B
Needs 60dB gain preamps - but is worth it.

MountainKing · Post by **MountainKing** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:35 pm

Thx for your input.

As I said: right click and "open in new tab" should do the trick - no download needed.

This clip mic is a nice option. Maybe I should read a bit more on this little guy.

Shy · Post by **Shy** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:01 pm

Use either the second mic or the first mic for the guitar, just not the third one, which has much worse balance, accuracy and detail, and is much harder to equalize properly. You'll have less trouble getting a balanced / natural-sounding result from the second mic compared to the first mic after equalization and compression, but it is possible to get a good result from the first one as well. Use the first mic for the voice, the second one has terrible balance in comparison.

MountainKing · Post by **MountainKing** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:53 pm

Thank you, shy.

Interesting statement. May I ask how you would come to your conclusions? Is there a workaround that you follow when judging mics? Or ist it just ... well, "experience"?

What do you mean by saying "balance"? Regarding frequencies?

I should reveal which mics are used here, of course. But ... just wait just a little bit.

Regards

Shy · Post by **Shy** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 4:03 pm

By "balance" I mean the frequency response as well as the way the sound pressure level affects the mic's pickup. Some sound more uniform than others, with seemingly more stable sound. The most obviously noticeable, related effect is the "proximity effect", which ranges from virtually none to huge, depending on the mic's design. I do have lots of experience with different mics and equalization, so I usually can get a decent general idea from the recording about how tough it would be to equalize and the overall sound quality.

Turello · Post by **Turello** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 4:08 pm

SM57 at 17fret...

PS: Savatage forever!

MountainKing · Post by **MountainKing** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:20 pm

THX again.

PS: Savatage forever!

I posted the same shoot out in another (german) forum and regarding Mic2 I got a complete opposite meaning. Someone said it doesn't sound "open", in tendencies "compressing" at the lows as well as on the high end of the spectrum. You, shy, stated the complete opposite. Don't get me wrong: I do NOT doubt what you're saying. It's more that I'd like to find out how people can get to completely different judgements on the same issue.

Several meanings stated that I should go for Mic1 for both guitars and vox.

Turello · Post by **Turello** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:25 pm

Certain it depends by what you want achieve... When i search for an harsh sound sm57 are ok otherwise need condenser mic and in both cases a good preamp... If you can rec in stereo with 2 mics better again...

MountainKing · Post by **MountainKing** » Sat Dec 13, 2014 8:38 am

Thx turello.

Andy additional "ears" available?

Just a little mic test - Acoustic Guitar and Vocals