Small microphone for acoustic guitar

[Daryl Jones]

Hi all

I have some older acoustic guitars (pre-1985)

I am weighing up having a pick-up fitted to them, but would like to explore a microphone that clips onto the sound hole 

Can anybody give me advice RE

1.  whether this approach provides good quality "pick-up"

2.  how much feedback is generated with this approach

3.  the best options / choices of product 

 

thanks in anticipation

Daryl 

 

[Ahoy Hoy]

Common misconception that the sound comes from the hole. The hole increase the low frequencies but majority of the sound comes from the strings and best microphone position is around the start of the neck of the guitar. If you place a microphone pointing at the whole you will get a thumpy guitar sound.

Any way
Cheap guitar microphone AKG C411. Good value good microphone. Down side its not a clip its a adhesive which you stick onto the instrument. So probably not suitable for a vintage guitar. (its basically the microphone they put on the inside but on the outside)

Expensive option DPA Core 4099 guitar. Clips onto the outside of the guitar and then floats in front of the neck. Very good microphone. Professional grade but carries the cost of a professional item

The one which you should get Thomann own brand guitar clip on microphone. Decent enough microphone. Good value. Clip on to guitar, point at the neck. like the expensive DPA Has a mini XLR connector so can be connected to wireless packs such as Shure. Also includes a adapter to standard XLR.


Feedback wise. Should be no major difference using these microphones as any other microphone. There just small microphones on clips which means you shouldnt need the gain as high as the microphone is closer to the sound source. So should have less feedback due to low gain. But as all microphones and sound systems turn the gain and monitors up enough you will get feedback.

[The Flying Sloth]

The aforementioned options are great for playing in a live setting and I can personally vouch for the quality of Thomann home-brand microphones (given that their tube mics were designed by ex-neumann engineers working for SE and built by Feilo), but considering your penchant for Maton I might suggest researching the Maton AP5 Pro pickup system which is used by many a live artist.

If we're talking studio options for recording, instead I'd suggest the Behringer C2 as the cheapest option, comes in packs of two so you can do stereo recording, that will likely be about $50 or so but if we're looking for something for proper studio grade (mono) recording the 3U Audio Teal CM1 is an amazing sounding option. Personally I often use both a Small Diaphragm condenser and large diaphragm condenser simultaneously but that's a personal preference.

[Daryl Jones]

Thanks again gents for your combined wisdom - I have thought about the AP5 but not sure I want to modify the guitar.  Much appreciated.