VS 100 for Classical Guitar recording - with a modest budget...

OK, I read up on the Sonar area of the forums with the brilliant info on CG recording and I thought I would open this up from another POV.

I'm pretty serious photo/video (a little shy of $8000 US in camera gear/lenses) and hobby level classical guitar player. Note that I don't consider myself a classical guitarist, I am just mucking about for fun on this side of things.

As I move deeper into NLE's and audio for video, I find myself expanding my audio gear. Over the next year, I will probably spend 3-5000 US on audio for video. Yeah, crazy amateur.... heheh

I thought it might be a fun exercise to set up some recording equipment so I can listen to myself playing. As the difficulty of the stuff I am learning increases, I find that my interest in the finer points of audio quality increases. For me, that's part of the learning process and really is the ultimate payoff for all this time/effort/expense. I'll never be able to play in a concert, and that doesn't bother me. I'm addicted to learning, so that's my goal.

After a very disappointing week with a Roland BR800, I hit Ebay and went VS 100. Better indeed at every level.

So my basic setup so far is to use the VS 100 with a pair of SM57's. Going Dynamics is because of budget. I will probably spring for a SM81 once my kit starts to get very complete (probably paired with a Rode NTG2 Shotgun) because my primary intent has little use for hand mikes.

Using SM57's on the BR800 was horrendous as the pre-amps are *badly* underpowered for that use, but I'm finding that the VS100 is MUCH more capable and is able to get PASSABLE results for amateur audio/family use/practice.

I am also looking at picking up an RNP which I have read is able to get a very respectable sound from SM57's and will alternately free up my inputs 1 and 2 for use with phantom powered condensers later on in the game... which I certainly hope will provide a lot more usable signal at much lower gain levels.

So I'd like to get some input and feedback and open this up to discussion/criticism to the much more knowledgeable folk on the forum here.

Setup #1 - VS 100 + 2x Shure SM57 = $699 + $200 = $900 (Price I actually paid = $560)
Setup #2 - VS 100 + 2x Shure SM57 + RNP = $699 + $200 + $450 = $1350
Setup #3 - VS 100 + SM81 + Rode NTG2 = $699 + $350 + $300 = $1350
Setup #4 - VS 100 + 2x Shure SM57 + RNP + SM81 + Rode NTG2 = $2000

Why SM57's? I understand that these are 'must have' mics and they can sound nice with the RNP.
Why the RNP? I understand that this is a VERY good item to have, especially when looking at versatility.
Why the SM81? I read that it has very good sound and can work well without necessarily being paired with another SM81. I don't think I would want to buy a second expensive hand mic, but I *will* be needing some shotgun mics. The Rode NTG2 also pairs nicely with phantom power. The VS 100 only has one switch for both ins 1 and 2 (hrmph), so this might make sense.
Why the Rode? I will be using NTG2 + boom + dedicated recorder (probably Tascam DR100 at this point), so this is not an option.

Thanks for your input!

RNP = Really Nice Preamp.

I was looking at microphone choices and one classical guitarist recommended the SM81 rather glowingly and mentioned the RNP. Seems that it's a super value, very clean simple boost preamp.

He said that the SM57 is usable, but not great, but combined with an RNP, it becomes quite decent.

I have read many places that have described the RNP as 'must have' equipment.

The SM81 is a small diaphragm condenser and apparently is also a mainstay of classical recordings.

In the thread in the Sonar section of this forum about CG recording, you see it mentioned at least a couple of times by pros. 

Unfortunately, since I live in Taiwan right now, I'm not in a position to do a lot of hands-on testing of these things. A lot of these types of items aren't even available to buy let alone try. I got lucky buying the Cakewalk VS100 on Ebay. Although it is made in TW, it's only sold here at close to $800 US, almost 100 bucks over MSRP. Their reason - Shipping costs.

And with 2 weeks delay for the item AND a required, non-refundable deposit, with NO option of 'try before you buy', I have to rely on what I read.

I already got burned on the trash Roland BR800, so I'm hesitant to do that again.

Thanks Ian!

I actually just won an Ebay on a KSM27 for $250. Looks like a decent buy. It's a large condenser.

I was getting frustrated with the SM81. Too many people only shipping to the US and the TW rep for Shure doesn't want to bring any in for new sales. If I have to buy online, I expect the price to be much better.

That cad e300 looks sweet! If I hadn't just paid for the KSM27, I would look at that for sure! Love the idea of on board power to help even out spikes. Great advice.

-k

The RNP is no doubt a very good choice.  There are a couple others like the DAV (British made I believe), and Black Lion.  All are about in the same price point.  I haven't used any of these but I did own a Presonus MP20 and used it as my go-to mic pre before bringing in a couple of A-Designs Pacifica's.  Not quite what the Pacifica is but certainly not $1500 difference in performance.  Don't know if the MP20 is still in production.