What are small diaphragm condensers used for?
Because of their neutral sound, high quality small diaphragm microphones can be used for almost anything. In pop music, small diaphragm microphones are typically used for piano, acoustic guitar and other stringed instruments as well as drums (overheads, snare, hi-hat, cymbals) and percussion.
What microphone do you use for acoustic guitar?
1. SHURE SM57 DYNAMIC MICROPHONE. Let’s be honest here, if you’ve ever been serious about recording guitars, vocals, drums or acoustic guitar you’ve likely come across the Shure SM57 as they are ever-present on the music scene.
What is the difference between large and small diaphragm mics?
A rule of thumb is that a large diaphragm — or capsule membrane — is one inch or more in diameter. A small diaphragm means it is half-inch or less in diameter. Small diaphragm condensers usually are slim, pencil-shaped and operate end-fired. Large diaphragm condensers are usually much bigger and operate side addressed.
Can you use an SM57 for acoustic guitar?
The Shure SM57 can give great results on an acoustic guitar. Its ability to eliminate unwanted noise make it a good choice to capture the acoustic guitar’s clarity and detail. Condenser microphones are the best option for acoustic guitar, but with care an SM57 can work well.
How far should my mic be from my acoustic guitar?
about 12 to 16 inches
For a balanced sound that captures high end, place the mic about 12 to 16 inches away from the 12th fret. The “money spot” for acoustic guitar recording.
Which is the best small diaphragm condenser to use?
In the first of a new series, we compare several of the most widely used budget small-diaphragm condensers at Bristol’s Invada Studios to find out which stands tall as the best all-purpose microphone for guitar and vocal recording.
How big is the diaphragm in a condenser microphone?
The actual diaphragm size rarely exceeds 27 mm. None of that really matters! In practical terms, it’s enough to differentiate between large and small diaphragm microphones. Note that the distinction between small and large diaphragm is common only to condenser microphones.
Are there small diaphragm mics for acoustic guitar?
If you measure the surface area of the diaphragm (length x width), this technically wouldn’t qualify as a small diaphragm, but we love the sound of it on acoustic guitar so much we had to include it. The AT5045 mic is a very popular choice here at Sweetwater for guitar and many other acoustic instruments, including piano and drum overheads.
Which is the best condenser mic for acoustic guitar?
Perhaps you’ve heard that small-diaphragm condenser microphoness work especially well for the acoustic guitar — and thanks to their superior transient response, they do. Sweetwater carries a large selection of excellent acoustic guitar microphone candidates, but which one is right for you?