acoustic mic options

[manyrains]

Sorry if this isn't really Mac related- but this is where I post...
I'm getting ready to do some solo acoustic stuff. I know the appropriate answer to this question is "find out what works best for you", but figured i'd throw this out to here more experienced folk share their thoughts (cuz I sometimes don't know what I'm listening for)

Here's what I got-
Mic's - Mojave MA200, pair of Oktava MK 012's (also have STudio Projects LSD2 stereo LDC, 57's, SP TB-1)

Chain- ADL 600- UA 2-1176 002r PT 8 (Martin HD-35)

So what I'm wondering about is preferences re:
1. MA 200 alone
2. MA200, 012
3. stereo 012's
(4 LSD 2?)
Any thoughts?

[BradLyons]

Hey man, how ya doing? There are SO many ways to record....but my personal favorite is to put a LDC on the soundhole (12th fret) which in this case would be the MA200. As you know, I love that mic! BUT...there's a grat deal of stuff that happens on the neck. For this, I really like something along the lines of an AKG C451 or a Neumann KM184. If we're talking solo recording, such as just an acoustic guitar and vocal---then, it might be worth recording stereo. At that point, the LSD2 is certainly worth a try---and a very good mic, although tonally speaking not as good as that MA200.

[stainless]

As I don't have the same mics and pre's you have I can only relate what has worked well for me

THis has proven to be the best set-up (with the gear I have) for a very bright Taylor 614-CE, a much darker Guild D-25, and a no-name classical from Spain

LDC AT-4040 on the sound-hole, a SDC AT-2021 or an MXL 991 for the fretboard (the latter if you want more string noise)-

this is about the only use for the 4040 I like...

both into a Prism MMA-4XR... if have someone who really plays hard I'll throw a Belarri tube compressor in the chain

I've tried the SDC's in stereo and did not like them... and I've tried a pair of MK-319'2 (with the Jolie Mod's)... too much room

so my +1 is for a LDC/SDC combination

and yes you're right, whatever gets the best sound is what's best for you....

[manyrains]

OK, here's where I am at so far.
I've done a couple of takes experiementing with LDC and SDC combo; then a take with LSD2- the stereo LDC. Question: LDC and SDC "stereo" spread? What do you do with that? It's obviously not stereo; do you pan them hard regardless, or does that make it feel awkward?

I'm definitely liking the sound of the MA200 better than the Oktava small condenser which I have a pair of. So I'm not inclined to even try the stereo Oktava's. So I'm I'm checking the true stereo (yes, this is for a ac gtr and vocal, nothing else) with the LSD 2 , figuring I;'m sacrificing the MA200 tone for stereo. I'll go back and check the MA200 with Oktava SDC against the LSD2 in a second.

[BradLyons]

how about buy another MA200? :) So are you recording vocal AND guitar at the same time?

[manyrains]

No, doing them separate. The LSD is sounding fairly decent. (oh, the sweet irony...)

[manyrains]

Originally Posted by BradLyons

how about buy another MA200? :)

Why don't send me one right over, Brad. Personal delivery? I'll let you produce.

[stainless]

I don't use them in a stereo set up- LDC is located level with the sound hole about 18" from the peg end of the guitar and pointed at the soundhole- if you were to project straight out- the LDC is placed approx level with the 12th fret ~12" out and pointed up towards the nut

I typically pan one 20 - 25 greater than the other and from one side of the mix, both are on that side of the mix... so if I'm panning left one will be say 25 and the other 45-50- whether it's the sound hole of the neck closest to the middle is a personal choice... If I have taken a DI, I pan it either slight more in (or out than the others)

If I want the guitar in the middle I will adjust the spread across the center, but not equally

individual results may vary