Best mic for recording guitar

Haych

Is the best all round mic for recording guitar amps still the SM57, or are there other/better options these days?

How does the SM57 handle acoustic guitars - not something I've really ever done before but will want to try at some point.

TIA

stickyfiddle

I’ve had good results with dynamic & condenser, for amps and acoustics alike. 

Sm57 and Rode NT-1 are my picks, because that’s what I own! 

Whistler

For acoustic guitars I get a better sound when I use an LDC (large diaphragm condenser) near the lower bout (to get a fuller-bodied sound) and an SDC (s=small) pointing half way between the soundhole and where the neck joins the body (to get more sparkle).

Cirrus

Kippers

Winny_Pooh

I prefer the Audix i5 for cabs and acoustics so please dont buy a 57.

But for acoustics the absolute "best" is a u67/c12/u47 style microphone

or if you want a more modern sound something like a gefell m300 or Josephson c42 pair.

Lestratcaster

When I did record amps at home (I'm a Kemper user now) I used the SM57. Worked well for loud amps and pretty easy to setup a good position.

Acoustics I use an AKG P170 condenser. Really nice and didn't cost a lot either.

octatonic

I tend to prefer the SM7b is better for a lot of guitar amp duties.
I especially like the Sennheiser MD409, which is vintage now and expensive.
The E906 (and to a degree the E609) are good (if not great) alternatives to that mic.

I also like the Sennheiser MD421 on guitar cabinets.

I tend to layer up a dynamic with a ribbon mic- I used the Shure SM7b and an AEA R84A a few days ago and it sounded great.

For acoustic guitars- no, I wouldn't use an SM57.
I use a Neumann U87 to record them most of the time.
At the cheaper end try a Rode NT1.

I also sometimes use the AKG C414, esp in stereo.
The Austrian Audio OD5 is a nice SM57 alternative although it has a bit of body resonance, but it is otherwise a really nice mic.

I also like using SDC's with acoustic. 
Neumann KM84 and Josephson C42 are my favourites there.
At the cheaper end try a Rode NT5.

What also matters is how you mic them.
With guitar amps it is about making sure multiple mics are in phase.

With acoustics I like placing the microphone around the 12th fret, about 1-2 ft away.
If I want more of the room then 2-3 ft away.

Think about the part you are recording.
Is it a solo acoustic part?
If so then I especially like recording those in stereo, ofter using a pair of figure 8 microphones at 90 degrees to one another.
This is known as a Blumlein pair.

If you are tracking acoustics to be behind electric guitar then I wouldn't tend to do that in stereo, but I might double or triple track them.

AntonHunter

I 2nd the recommendation for an E906 (and everything @octatonic says there). Form factor means it gets used a lot on gigs, and it's so easy to keep in a gig bag for in case the sound guy runs out of stands and tries dangling an SM57 pointing at the floor...

On a bit of an aside, does anyone know of a condenser mic in the E906-type form factor? I was wondering about a side-address condenser for dangling over the side of an amp, see what that's like. I felt sure I'd seen a mic that fits that description, but can't find one for the life of me!

maltingsaudio

Stopped using my 906’s  in favour of Beyer Tg 51’s although they have to go on a stand sound far better to my ears. ( Started using 906 over 57’s and Beta57)

octatonic

Oh I also forgot- the Beyer Dynamic M201 is an excellent guitar cab (and snare) mic.
It is hyper cardioid, so better at rejecting spill than some other mics.
I love it.

Haych

Thanks, folks, all very informative.  Appreciated.

guyinlyon

Sennheiser E906

rze99

I mic up two speakers separately and mix the two to combine best overall range and tone.

 I use Sm57 with E906 (cheap good and they don’t break) and Rode NT-1 sometimes which is also cheap and sweet with acoustics and pretty good for vocals. 

Stuckfast

I really like condenser mics on guitar amps as long as they can take the level. The U87 often works really well. Of all the mics I've ever tried my favourite was probably the Milab VIP-60 though.

nero1701

I always struggled with SM57's and acoustic guitars, Perhaps it was the interface I used? They always record quiet in my opinion.

Al_Nico

stickyfiddle said:

I’ve had good results with dynamic & condenser, for amps and acoustics alike. 

Sm57 and Rode NT-1 are my picks, because that’s what I own! 

We chose the same. SM57 because it's expected, and NT-1 because it sounds natural, both great value.

How best to use them we could discuss forever

They sound very different. The NT-1 tone is clinical, the SM57 tone is, well, that sound.

edit: Everything about the way they work is different.

TheMadMick

I've already sung the praises of the Rode M3. Incredible value and excellent sound quality for the price.

marxski

I use a 58 with the shield removed and an AKG 214. Sounds good to me.