Good-day! Seeking info on best route to mike an acoustic guitar with a KM184 and an add'l vocal mike. KM184 requires 48V phanthom power. Looking for the purest (most natural) sound out of my acoustic guitar. Venue is typically small (50 max.) and quiet.
Cheers!
Hi Purling Beck.
Welcome to the Bose Portable PA Community.
Purling Beck posted:Good-day! Seeking info on best route to mike an acoustic guitar with a KM184 and an add'l vocal mike. KM184 requires 48V phanthom power. Looking for the purest (most natural) sound out of my acoustic guitar. Venue is typically small (50 max.) and quiet.
Cheers!
The Bose ToneMatch mixers (T1, T4S/T8S) all have phantom power available.
There is a ToneMatch Preset for this application.
Category: Acoustic Guitar
Preset: Steel String w/Cond
What Bose system do you have?
What kind of guitar are you playing?
What make/model is the vocal microphone?
I used to have a pair of Neumann KM184 microphones. They were wonderful for recording, but I found it too difficult to use microphones for live sound reinforcement applications.
Here is a link to other discussions in which the KM184 was mentioned here.
ST
A bit more info... At this point I'm doing research as to what will best fit my needs to play in small venues as a solo artist. As stated, I play (for the most part) finger style acoustic guitar (Taylor 422R, 614ce, Custom GC EIR back n sides, W. Cedartop and an R1 Cocobolo/Sinker Redwood) only the 614 has a pickup. I do some songs strumming with nail/flesh. I enjoy the nuances I create when fingerpicking and the singular attack on individual strings and am looking for advice on the best "package" (currently I have nothing) to mimic the organic nature of the guitar. I sit when playing and am disciplined enough not to move around much. As for my vocals... I am a baritone, have a whole lot of projection when appropriate and play folkie lyrical heart wrenching stuff. I haven't settled on any mics or PA's and am a believer in you get what you pay for, I just don't want to end up making costly mistakes. I know that both the Neuman KM184 and KMS105 have great reputations, however I am open to other suggestions. I understand that should I go this route, I will need a T1 and am thinking the L1 compact is more than adequate. Any "feedback" ; D is appreciated!
I think the KM184 would be better for recording than live sound. It's awefully had to beat a good pick-up. I play a custom Martin D-35. It is about as good as they get and with the pick-up through my T8s using the tone match it is just fabulous. To get the best sound with a microphone you have to get the mic placed just right somewhere in front of the sound hole. It usually takes some experimenting in the studio. Solo guitar and vocal sound great through My S1 and my L1s. The F1s arrive today. Can't wait. Oh, let us know what you wind up using.
I use a DPA clip on mic, and IMO it is the best for live acoustic guitar.
Okay, For the small venues you describe the Bose S-1 or L1 would be great because you can put them behind you without feedback and you will hear exactly what the audience hears. I have used $10,000 ribbin mics in the studio and they are great, but live, I prefer to sing on the old standard, SM58. Affordable, Reliable and basically bullet proof. Learning to sing correctly on a mic is like learning a new instrument. I was a member of the New Christy Minstrels using accoustic guitars, banjo, upright bass and voices. I recommend you make an appointment at a music store and just try things out. Just converted to all Bose PAs and I would start there. I have and S1 for practice and super small venues. I have two L1 Model 1s for medium venues, and two F1s with bass modules for large gigs. Anything bigger always comes with pro sound. Singing and playing over a $40,000 system is always good. I think the bose sound is comparable. You can also consider using both a pick-up and a microphone. That used to be common but nowdays not necessary. I have put quality pockups on all of my instruments because they have just gotten that good. When Fishman finally made a pickup that works on the banjo I crossed over. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
I would also caution not to go overboard on super high fidelity mics and pickups for live performances. It would get lost in the ambient noise of the venue and casual audience attention.