Need help setting up your studio? Check out these other free resources I've created for you... Home Studio Checklist: audiouniversityonline.com/free-home-studio-checklist/ Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-placement-guide/
Try to get a used SM81, or better yet a pair for stereo recording. The big advantage the SM81 has is that its frequency response is really flat, while the SM57 has some peaks in the higher frequencies, yielding a brighter sound. The SM81 sounds really nice on a variety of acoustic instruments; I’ve recorded both acoustic guitar and piano with both SM57 pairs and SM81 pairs; the SM81’s sounds really true to the sound of the instrument.
Thank you sir! I will look up the sm81, had my eyes on it for awhile now. What Martin guitar is it you're playing at around the 0:42 mark? Thank you! //PETER
I know this is an older thread but maybe someone can answer this. I do not necessarily want to record what I am playing, just amplify it so others can hear what I am playing better. I will be playing it thru a Bose S1 Pro Plus. Will it work well for that purpose?
I picked up the SM81 and have an issue with low volume. I have to crank the gain on my audio interface to get decent sound levels. But at that point I start to get noise in the recoding. Any advice? How did you have yours set up to get such a sound from it without being on top of the mic? Kinda bummed about the my issue
I have to put my preamp at about 3 o’clock. Your best options to get lower noise is to use a cleaner preamp or maybe a Cloudlifter. Have you heard of a Cloudlifter before?
@@AudioUniversity Yeah, that's what I was starting to wonder...Which preamp are you using? Is there a statistic to look for that indicates how clean a preamp is? I have, but Cloudlifters don't work on condensers.
Good point. I forgot that about Cloudlifters. I’m using the same interface as you are. Have you checked to make sure the pad is not engaged on the SM81? The pad is switched on and off by twisting the capsule.
Headphone topic might be interesting, please tell people that M50x are not as good as ppl say they are. There are lots of better options for that price range.
Wow, I didn't expect that! I'd prefer the hd560s, hd6xx. For closed backs I'd go with the shure 440 instead of M50x, now I think the K3x1 just took their place.
Nice choices! I haven’t had a chance to listen to all of those, but I’ve heard only good things about them. If I can get my hands on a few of these, I’d love to make a video comparing them. Thanks for sharing your input, Happy Tsunayoshi!
@@Xzvsc and they actually sound super compressed to me. As well as the akgs actually but as you said, tonality is better on most other headphones to my ears.
With all due respect, the very first sentence is already prejudicial and wrong. The SM81 is one of the best SDC mics REGARDLESS of the price, period. Whether it is $500, or $1500, or $2500, or whatever, it simply sounds great and you will achieve marvellous results using it. Its flat, detailed response across the frequency spectrum, as well as its neutral but full sound make it stand head and shoulders above the crowd of - often much more expensive - SDC microphones.
Need help setting up your studio? Check out these other free resources I've created for you...
Home Studio Checklist: audiouniversityonline.com/free-home-studio-checklist/
Speaker Placement Guide: audiouniversityonline.com/speaker-placement-guide/
Thanks! I bought this mic based on your insightful video.
Best acoustic guitar sounds I've ever captured have been with this mic. And I've tried expensive ones too. Beats them all, to my ears
have you tried the SM57? the 81 is a little out of my budget at the moment
@@stevejeffrey11 A wise man once said: "If in doubt, buy a 57"
@@joosepkaha1687 thanks, maybe I'll get two, one at the sound hole & one at 12th fret :O
Zoom microphone sounds better to me
Try to get a used SM81, or better yet a pair for stereo recording. The big advantage the SM81 has is that its frequency response is really flat, while the SM57 has some peaks in the higher frequencies, yielding a brighter sound. The SM81 sounds really nice on a variety of acoustic instruments; I’ve recorded both acoustic guitar and piano with both SM57 pairs and SM81 pairs; the SM81’s sounds really true to the sound of the instrument.
I don't know. I'm skeptical of your motives here. You didn't balance it out with other mics for comparison
I had to mic up a brass band once, and I used SM81 with my favourite AT4050 as OH. I was shocked that SM81 gave me better quality than AT4050.
SM57 for the win! Brings out a warm and punchy sound with fingerpicked acoustic guitar!
Thank you so much for the video
Thank you sir! I will look up the sm81, had my eyes on it for awhile now. What Martin guitar is it you're playing at around the 0:42 mark? Thank you! //PETER
It’s a Martin 000-18, I believe.
I know this is an older thread but maybe someone can answer this. I do not necessarily want to record what I am playing, just amplify it so others can hear what I am playing better. I will be playing it thru a Bose S1 Pro Plus. Will it work well for that purpose?
Would have been interesting to know what amp he is using.
I suggest about 40 cm distance. That is quite close to this mic
I picked up the SM81 and have an issue with low volume. I have to crank the gain on my audio interface to get decent sound levels. But at that point I start to get noise in the recoding. Any advice? How did you have yours set up to get such a sound from it without being on top of the mic? Kinda bummed about the my issue
Which interface are you using and what instrument are you recording?
@@AudioUniversity Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 and acoustic guitar
I have to put my preamp at about 3 o’clock. Your best options to get lower noise is to use a cleaner preamp or maybe a Cloudlifter. Have you heard of a Cloudlifter before?
@@AudioUniversity Yeah, that's what I was starting to wonder...Which preamp are you using? Is there a statistic to look for that indicates how clean a preamp is? I have, but Cloudlifters don't work on condensers.
Good point. I forgot that about Cloudlifters. I’m using the same interface as you are. Have you checked to make sure the pad is not engaged on the SM81? The pad is switched on and off by twisting the capsule.
what interface do you use?
Great mic for recording acoustic I've used one many times!!
SE PUEDE USAR , APARTE DE RABAR, TAMBIÉN PARA AMPLIFICAR UNA GUITARRA DE CONCIERTO?, ES DECIR, PARA DAR UN CONCIERTO EN VIVO?
Headphone topic might be interesting, please tell people that M50x are not as good as ppl say they are. There are lots of better options for that price range.
I’m actually a fan of the M50x! Don’t get me wrong - there are certainly better headphones. What are your favorites in the price range?
Wow, I didn't expect that! I'd prefer the hd560s, hd6xx. For closed backs I'd go with the shure 440 instead of M50x, now I think the K3x1 just took their place.
Nice choices! I haven’t had a chance to listen to all of those, but I’ve heard only good things about them. If I can get my hands on a few of these, I’d love to make a video comparing them. Thanks for sharing your input, Happy Tsunayoshi!
@@TheMrdj33 prefer m40x over m50x. M50x kinda v shaped tonality
@@Xzvsc and they actually sound super compressed to me. As well as the akgs actually but as you said, tonality is better on most other headphones to my ears.
I would of liked to hear some different mic placements, but this was still helpful. Thanks!
I have one of these from the 80s
Nice job! 👍
thanks for a great review
great content!
Thanks, Mathias!
Is it a shotgun mic??
It’s not quite as directional as a shotgun microphone. It has a cardioid polar pattern.
@@AudioUniversity thank u but u didnt replied my other comment
With all due respect, the very first sentence is already prejudicial and wrong. The SM81 is one of the best SDC mics REGARDLESS of the price, period. Whether it is $500, or $1500, or $2500, or whatever, it simply sounds great and you will achieve marvellous results using it. Its flat, detailed response across the frequency spectrum, as well as its neutral but full sound make it stand head and shoulders above the crowd of - often much more expensive - SDC microphones.
Yoo rrr soo good at playing guitar could you please make guitar tutorials Please
Thanks, Arjun! I’ll leave the guitar tutorials to the pros for now!
Doesn't really sound that good. It's coming out a little bit distorted