Line Audio CM3 on a Classical Guitar
The Swedish Line Audio CM3 microphones are the best-kept secret of the audio world, not only they sound great capturing the nuance and timbre of acoustic sources in the most natural way, but they are incredibly cheap and small!
No affiliation whatsoever, I just like them a lot!
Initial Review
Roger is the one and only person involved in the design and manufacturing of the Line Audio products, and he has been making high-quality microphones and preamps at a low price for decades; all handcrafted in Sweeden.
It is impossible to find other microphones that come close to the quality of the CM3s, both in craftsmanship and sound properties, without spending several €100s more. They are balanced across all frequencies and offer a smooth and clear pick-up, without annoying frequency boosts that certainly don't compliment a sensitive and delicate instrument such as the classical guitar.
Roger is building these microphones himself, and doesn't advertise at all; this is the reason why he can keep the prices so low, and why you don't hear so much about them.
Trevelling with the CM3s
On March 2018 I travelled to Lithuania for a month, I was commissioned to compose a solo guitar suite (to be released in March 2020). So the two tiny CM3s, in their practical plastic cases; although unnecessary for the purpose of my work there, were proven to be great tools to have.
My only regret is that I didn't get to record in this beautiful church, but with -28 degrees Celcius, maybe it was a good decision.
Here are two of the pieces that I recorded there, pluged into an Audient iD14 (read my review). The CM3s, togheter with the iD14 make a compeling and affortable pair for travelling guitarists.
Closing Thoughts
After owning a pair for about two years now, having recorded my guitar, cello, solo piano, a piano trio with violin and flute, as well as several voices and a choir; I can honestly say that I can comfortably use them in any situation. I recommend them without hesitation to beginner and intermediate recordists with a sane budget.
My only complaint would be that you need to pair them with a decent preamp as they are not very sensitive. When I compare them with Schoeps, DPA or Neumann microphone that cost 10X more, I find that they are a little less detailed especially in high-mids and highs. But, for the price, or even for microphones that cost less than €1000 a pair, I haven't found anything that comes close for recording acoustic and classical music.
