Shure - SM81-LC

Yeah I prefer c12 and 414 as overheads myself. For clarity though. Not necessarily because they are a bright mic and not because they’re on a “bright instrument”. I’ve done my time in major recording studios too. Seen plenty of c12, 67, r88, 451, 4038, and shure 81 on overheads. It’s more about the character of the mic. Not “bright inst=bright mic”.

I mean, sure, you will get a fractionally better amount of performance from a more expensive mic. But one of the big reasons that the SM 57 and 58 are such mainstays in live sound is that they are inexpensive AND durable. Live sound is cruel to audio gear. Things get dropped, things get stolen, things get wet. That's the same reason that you will see something like SM 81s being used for overheads, not something much nicer. That said, I actually like the sound of the SM81.

For home recordings, KM184s are an overkill. They are great for professional studio settings. There are many options now that video channels are so common. However, Shure SM81 is *the* timeless classic to record classical guitar. I pair it with stereo mics from a Zoom H4, with SM81 into the H4. You can control levels and gain independently. From there, I route it to an table or computer for video recording (that's the little holder on the stand). If on a budget, a Shure 57 produces **great** results, particularly in substandard rooms. I'd go with XLR mics since they allow you to grow with many more options as compared to USB mics. https://preview.redd.it/zndaxzxofqig1.png?width=1290&format=png&auto=webp&s=09ae5e3d758d82ac640be8ac5fefa371d8ddf189

I am trying to produce sound examples of my guitars for my website and am going through the same issues. I borrowed and bought some mics and I think I am settling on two sm81 mics for a stereo sound with a Royer r10 in the middle to capture some more warmth. The further I go down this road the more expensive it gets and I continually think it would have been cheaper to just go to a studio and have them do the work. Learning this myself has an appeal because it’s interesting but man. Expensive.

I loved the sm7b for the deep nasty stuff but sold in favor of sm81. Worth playing with if you have a chance. It’s a very precise mic, needs a thick ass pop filter and small movements can change the sound a lot. If you have the technique and patience the bass response and clarity on an sm81 is really something though.

For sure! Proximity effect can get overbearing on this mic , all depends on the volume you’re producing with your voice. Whisper to moderate I tend to be close as the pop filter allows. For the loud / deep stuff I’ve gotten interesting results a foot or two back pointed at the throat/chest where it’s really resonating. Might be worth experimenting with.

knockoff U47 by advanced audio for large condenser Soyuz 013 fet for small condenser Shure SM81 for cheap small condenser (used they're like $300) blended with a DI signal if you have a pickup, to get some attack, and it can sound great also double tracking and hard panning L and R adds a lot imo

DPA 4099 P (for piano) \*2 pcs, under the hood of the piano, cabling from the rear side of the piano, carefully done by black velcro. Preamps - portable ZOOM H4/H6 hiding beneath the foot of piano. Or, 2\* Sennheiser plug-on radio system. OR, Shure SM-91 Beta for piano, under the hood, or even on the floor under the piano. Maybe 2\* Shure SM-91 Betas on the edge of the scene, flat surface required. Cabling and mics will not be visible from camera. Additionally, a stereo set of SDC' like Shure SM 81, Audix ADX51, Oktava MK-012-2, Neumann KM 184, on a high boom/ light stand in a hall, where viewers sit rows. Opera singers have strong vocals, 120-130 dB of pressure. Often, they moving heads, swinging backwards and forwards around their position. So, close miking is not necessary and even could lead to problems. Piano and its level is what you need to be concerned. So 1 (2) mics for piano, 2 mics for AB in a hall is what you need.

You’ll want to get an external microphone that connects via USB or use an audio interface with an XLR mic—something like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. A USB mic will be the easiest and most affordable option. I personally use a Shure mic with XLR and audio interface but if you want USB only for simplicity. This one is highly rated and works great with Zoom: https://a.co/d/0kW94MC There’s also a higher-end version here: https://a.co/d/3dMutRA I’ve also heard great things about these mics: https://a.co/d/98s1aEP At the end of the day, any USB mic will work—it just depends on how high you want the audio quality to be and how much you’re willing to spend.