What's a good microphone to buy to record guitars?

[SLIT YOUR GUTZ]

I've consistently had shit sound in guitar recordings, and I want to improve the sound. Can anyone recommend a microphone they've had good experiences with? I'm not looking to spend much more than $100. I really want to capture more low end than what the shitty microphone I've been using has.

Any help is much appreciated.

Also, is something like the AKG D112 a good multi-use microphone?

[Project Genesis]

The Akg D112 is a kick drum mic & sometimes used in bass applications when their isn't a D.I. out available.

Are you going to be using a dynamic or condenser microphone (condenser microphones require phantom power) ?

A lot of variables on this one (polar patterns - on/off axis - price point etc).

[SLIT YOUR GUTZ]

Around $100. My main focus is just on a good microphone I can put in front of an amp and get a good sound out of with a lot of dynamic. Low end especially.

I'm not terribly knowledgeable about much of this. My apologies. I'm sure it'll take some trial and error on my part.

[Grindhead Records]

Shure Sm57s do a reasonable job all around.

[Project Genesis]

Originally Posted by Grindhead Records

Shure Sm57s do a reasonable job all around.

I would agree with this & maybe a sennheiser e609 for 2 quality microphones in the $100 price point

[Grindhead Records]

Another word...
Most decent mics have their frequency response ranges and DbSPL ratings etc displayed, so perhaps look up some things people recommend that you do to get a sound you're going for and look for similar specs from what they have used to what you can afford.

For the most part, a crappy mic can still work, if you place it infront of a good amp, that's amplifying a well played, good guitar. You may have to spend a while moving the mic around to get the best sound, you said you'd learn from trial and error and it's true, everybody tends to.

[Acatalepsy]

SM57 is a safe bet. Sounds good, built like a tank and reasonably priced.

[SLIT YOUR GUTZ]

I bought the SM57. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

[Grindhead Records]

Originally Posted by SLIT YOUR GUTZ

I bought the SM57. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Now make sure you experiment with moving it around to find the best sound.

[Narrative]

Originally Posted by Grindhead Records

Now make sure you experiment with moving it around to find the best sound.

This is the most difficult job of the entire recording cycle.
What you hear (if you play) isn't the same as placing your ear before your cabinet. The same of course with you mic, in this case your SM57.

[Grindhead Records]

Originally Posted by Narrative

This is the most difficult job of the entire recording cycle.
What you hear (if you play) isn't the same as placing your ear before your cabinet. The same of course with you mic, in this case your SM57.

That's basically my university education summed up... I wanted to do animation.

[AURORA4DTH]

Most of these people are dead on, the SM57 is the best and most cost effective mic for what you are trying to do. i own about 40 mics and i still mostly use the 57 for my guitars, sometimes paired with a Sennheiser 421. But sometimes the 57 works best by itself even.

As far as good quality the $100 57 will do it but more importantly regarding quality you must factor is everything in the chain.
1. The player.
2. The amp
3. Mic Placement (as someone said you can move a mic for hours to find the "Sweet Spot"
4.The Pre amp, and or interface. (sometimes these are together in one box or separate) The Converter is one of the most important part in the chain. The pre amp can also greatly effect the sound of your recording.

Someone also mentioned that spending a little cash on a couple key items can help. I agree completely however try and use what you have to the best of your abilities first.

A good engineer can make bad gear sound great but a bad engineer can make great gear sound horrible.

Now a plug for my studio nightskystudios.org

[SLIT YOUR GUTZ]

Okay, I have a follow-up question. I bought the Shure SM57, and I have it with me now. My intention is to record directly into my computer, and I was going to use an adapter to change the XLR mic cable down to an 1/8" jack, but after doing some googling, I see that that will really reduce the quality of my recording. Previously I recorded with a microphone that was already a 1/8 jack. I see some recommend getting a different soundcard. What would you recommend I do? I want something cost efficient, but that won't greatly reduce the quality of the recording if I record directly to my computer.

[Grindhead Records]

Maybe get a really basic M-Box. Just a 1 channel thingy...

[SLIT YOUR GUTZ]

Any specific recommendations for an m-box?

[Grindhead Records]

Here's a non-cheap one: http://shop.avid.com/store/product.d...24834580929664
I'm sure you could find it cheaper elsewhere. Basically you'd be looking for something that hopefully has a decent mic pre-amp and records in 24 bit/96kHz.

[SLIT YOUR GUTZ]

I'm still googling and trying to figure out what all I need or should get. That mbox is definitely too expensive.

It sounds like most just get a preamp and a mixer. Right now I'm looking at the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 MIDI Digital Recording Interface and maybe the Yamaha MG102C 10 Input Stereo Mixer. Now I kind of missing plugging my shitty computer microphone directly into the computer, since I didn't expect this venture to be quite so expensive.

[Narrative]

Originally Posted by SLIT YOUR GUTZ

I'm still googling and trying to figure out what all I need or should get. That mbox is definitely too expensive.

It sounds like most just get a preamp and a mixer. Right now I'm looking at the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 MIDI Digital Recording Interface and maybe the Yamaha MG102C 10 Input Stereo Mixer. Now I kind of missing plugging my shitty computer microphone directly into the computer, since I didn't expect this venture to be quite so expensive.

My experience is that if you want to do it right, you'll have to pay the bills.

But obviously you have a very strict and limited budget. Keep in mind that quality always comes with a price. So the cheaper Interface you'll get, the less quality.

I had different interfaces like Presonus and RME.
Currently recording with a small RME Fireface 400. It does it job without compromising the quality of your recordings.

[Grindhead Records]

Why not try the 1/8" jack thing first and see how you go?
I'd be looking for second hand stuff for any of those mixers etc. I think you can get a decent behringer 1 input doodad, but I cant think of what it is called.

[Watchmaker]

Shure SM57 !

[alexmabbitt]

SHURE SM-57

[depravedatbirth]

SM57 combined with HEIL

[acenel]

Thanks for the suggestion also

[mycomics007]

I purchased the Shure SM57, and I have it with me now. I will probably record specifically into my PC, and I would utilize a connector to change the XLR mic link down to a 1/8" jack, yet in the wake of doing some googling, I see that that will truly diminish the nature of my account. Beforehand I recorded with an amplifier that was at that point a 1/8 jack. I see some suggest getting an alternate soundcard. What might you prescribe I do? I need something cost effective, yet that won't enormously decrease the nature of the chronicle on the off chance that I record straightforwardly to my PC.