Best location for a lav mic to mic acoustic guitar

[echnaret]

This question is for the same show mentioned in this topic.

I have an acoustic guitar that needs to be mic'ed wireless-ly. The actor playing the guitar walks all over the stage, and the guitar has no pickup. I am currently using a Shure SLX1 beltback with a lavaliere mic. I'm not sure what model the mic is, but the mic head is flat and square-shaped, with a hole on one side. I also have a couple DAO 4061 lavs, if those would work better. Currently, the mic is located a half inch away from the fretboard, about half way between the edge of the sound hole and the edge of the body. It was initially located closer to the sound hole, but the actors were worried about hitting it while playing.

I realize my setup is not ideal. However, I am wondering if there is a better place for me to position the mic head to get a better sound. I am sending the guitar through the stage monitors, so I am also interested in getting the loudest sound possible from the guitar (so the mic doesn't need to be as hot, to reduce the risk of feedback).

If there are better wireless solutions than lavaliere mics, I am open to suggestions. I probably won't get to use them for this year, but I am making a wish list of things to get for next year.

[FMEng]

From your description, that sounds like a good spot to try. I would avoid getting too close to the sound hole and placing the mic so it doesn't get hit while strumming is a good idea.

Your mic might be a Countryman EMW which probably has a high frequency boost that might not be desirable for guitar. I would I would choose a mic that is omni to avoid proximity effect, plus you don't want to tape over the ports on a cardioid or other directional. The DPA 4061 would be a fine choice for that application since it is omni and has a smooth low-mid response. I would choose the soft-boost grid, not the high-boost one.

[Footer]

Get a pickup put in, should not cost more then 50 bucks.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[2mojo2]

Try this:
Take your mystery microphone ( could be a 185 omni) and wrap it in some thin foam ( foam windscreen would be ideal).
Insert the mic element gently Under the guitar strings between the bridge and the nut.
Adjust EQ for a warm guitar sound, and see what you think.....

[echnaret]

Try this:
Take your mystery microphone ( could be a 185 omni) and wrap it in some thin foam ( foam windscreen would be ideal).
Insert the mic element gently Under the guitar strings between the bridge and the nut.
Adjust EQ for a warm guitar sound, and see what you think.....

Thanks, I'll try this.

Footer, would that be a temporary pickup, or a permanent one? The guitar belongs to the actor, not the company, and I'm not sure how interested the company would be in installing a pickup in a guiyar every year.

I'm definitely getting a lot of high mids in the original placement, despite the fact that the mic is right next to the bass strings.

[MarshallPope]

I'm thinking that you may have a Shure WL93, based on the description. Have you tried dropping the mic element into the sound hole? It can get a bit boomy, but since you are having lots of high-mids, it could help.
Depending on the choreography, you may actually have luck taping the mic to the wrist of the actor. If he moves around a lot, it will be too inconsistent, but it could work if his hand stays relatively close.

[gizm770o]

You could also try running the cable down the performer's arm and taping it in between his index finger and thumb. I haven't tried this but it has been suggested to me a few times recently (Have to solve the same problem for a coming up show as well.)

[brubart]

As a recording engineer and microphone designer, I recommend putting the mic halfway between the sound hole and bridge, about 1 inch from the low E string. A typical lavalier mic has a high-frequency rise which you might want to roll off with EQ around 10 kHz. If you need more gain before feedback, tape the mic just inside the sound hole onto the front inner surface at about 8 o'clock (with the neck at 12 o'clock). Don't cover the front of the mic with tape. The sound will be very boomy, so roll off 100 Hz about 10 dB - adjust to taste.
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