recording classical guitar

[jmahoney]

Hi, I'd welcome suggestions for recording classical guitar. I know, first you need a good classical guitarist. I'm currently using 2 Neumann KM84i microphones. One is placed about 3 feet in from of the lower bout of the guitar at the same height as the guitar. The other is positioned about 10 inches over my left shoulder facing down toward the guitar. The idea is to get a representation of sound similar to what the guitarist hears. A third microphone (AT4050CM5 in Omni mode) is placed about 8-10 feet in from of the guitar at a height of about 6 ft. The recordings are done in a room with a vaulted wood ceiling, hard walls, and carpeting on the floor. It is a good space for classical guitar house concerts.
I record through a MOTU 896 using DP6.02. One of the issues is the actual recording level. Even though I have the individual channels for the Newmanns turned up to 75% (the 3 o'clock position), the recorded signal is not very strong. Is there any disadvantage to turning up the preamps all the way? I'd rather not move the microphones closer to the guitar because I usually don't like the recorded quality of close-miked guitars.
I'd like to find a way to increase the gain of the recorded signal rather than boost the gain during mixing and mastering. I have the phantom power turned on for the individual channels on the MOTU896, is there something else I'm missing? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
John Mahoney
jmahoney1@mac.com

[HCMarkus]

Maybe an uber-clean preamp, like a Millenia...

[Tonio]

+1, you'd be suprised what a good pre amp can do to even a SM57.

also try a plywood or reflective surface under the player.

What dbF are yu hitting on the peaks on the input meter w/ your 896?
T