Guitar Amp Mic Options

[MrStitch]

So, in another thread around here, I managed to pick the brains of those helpful wanderers for good recommendations for a guitar amp.

I think I'm settling for the Peavy XXX, and the savings plan is underway.

In the mean time, lets talk Mics!

Someone highly recommended the sure SM57, and while this is one of those obvious choices, I'd like to throw in there the PreSonus Blue Tube I have, that happens to have phantom power for use on condenser mics. Maximum clean gain is the key (obviously), and this is for 'live' performing. So..... any suggestions OTHER than the SM57?

[crazyjman]

Not sure if anyone will agree with me on this one but I'm extremely happy with my Sennheiser e609. I've used the 57 and wasn't overly thrilled with the results. With the 609 my recordings sound exactly what my amp sounds like. Not an expensive mic either. (100-120 bucks). My two cents anyway

[MrStitch]

That e609 is a dynamic mic, and you used yours in recording. What sort of pre-amp are you running?

[crazydoc]

I'm not quite clear on your question -what are you going to run the mic into? A PA, your guitar amp or ? If you use the preamp, what are you going to plug it into?

[punkin]

The SM57 is a no brainer. It's true and reliable. I'd second the E609 and would also include the Audix i5 as a tasty additions to your kit. I like the i5 for a slightly hyped sound. Works nicely on snare drum and guitar amps. I like blending the SM57 with both or either of them.

[Whoopysnorp]

Most people (me included) would not recommend a condenser mic for live guitar amp miking. A dynamic mic will be much more convenient to use in this application. I second the Sennheiser e609, though I'm basing that on the older black version instead of the current silver version...many believe that the black version is superior. Another more expensive mic that sounds excellent on guitar amps is the Sennheiser MD421.

Another option is to take an SM57 and do the TapeOp mod, which is removing the transformer. It reduces the mic's overall output but gives it a truer sound IMO, and you don't need that much output for loud stuff like guitars or snares anyway.

[MrStitch]

Ok... good stuff here.

The reason I was considering a condenser mic was for volume reasons and feedback. It seems like dynamic mics require you to use a ton of gain, which then could induce feedback when you consider the other 'sub-par' equipment.... such as my Behringer mixer, and the PreSonus Blue Tube (I like the blue tube, but lets be real..... there's much better).

I wanna be able to get a good volume from the set up without fighting feedback all night long..... ESPECIALLY during band practice when we're in a small room.

[Lt. Bob]

I would think a condenser would be more likely to feedback than a dynamic. It's not where the gain is per se that causes feedback .... it's when the mic can pickup the sound from the PA for instance and reamplifies that. Since condensers tend to be more sensitive to picking up everything, I'd think they'd be more prone to feeding back.

[MrStitch]

Good point Bob, and I had a little voice in the back of my head telling me the same thing, but wasn't sure.

However, would it be fair to say that the more you turn the 'gain' knob, that there is more high or low pitched subtle harmonics produced by the equipment.... assuming the equipment is sub-par?

On another note, since we know that feedback is cause by a 'loop' (for lack of a better term), then is there any kind of isolation products available? You know.... something better than throwing an old blanket over the whole cab hahahha.

Dude 1: "Man... that guitarist has some serious nuts!"
Dude 2: "What do you mean?"
Dude 1: "Would YOU go to a gig and cover your amp with your grandma's flower-print quilt?"

:P

[Whoopysnorp]

The amount of hiss introduced by cranking the gain on mic preamps, even cheap ones, is so minimal that you don't need to concern yourself with feedback. And even if it were, a condenser mic would be more likely to pick it up and amplify it than a dynamic. A dynamic mic pointed at a raging guitar amp is not really going to pick up much of anything besides the amp.

[jonnyc]

Originally Posted by MrStitch

Ok... good stuff here.

The reason I was considering a condenser mic was for volume reasons and feedback. It seems like dynamic mics require you to use a ton of gain, which then could induce feedback when you consider the other 'sub-par' equipment.... such as my Behringer mixer, and the PreSonus Blue Tube (I like the blue tube, but lets be real..... there's much better).

I wanna be able to get a good volume from the set up without fighting feedback all night long..... ESPECIALLY during band practice when we're in a small room.

If you're using a Peavey XXX amp live and are worried about using too much gain on your preamp for your mic then turn the guitar amp up. Problem solved. I've never once been in a live situation where an sm57 wasn't good enough for the job.

[boingoman]

Look for a CAD e100 on ebay, you can score them for $125 if you have some patience. Great guitar amp mics for live and studio, and great for lots of other things too. It's a supercardioid condenser. My other go-to is the AT 4033.

With respect to the other members of the board, if you have problems using a condenser mic on a guitar amp in a live situation, the problem is you, not the mic.

Gain before feedback is about mic polar patterns and placement, not the type of mic you are using. Remember your basics, folks.

[boingoman]

Originally Posted by jonnyc

If you're using a Peavey XXX amp live and are worried about using too much gain on your preamp for your mic then turn the guitar amp up. Problem solved.

Word. Or turn the drummer down.

[prestomation]

At the level most guitar players are pushing out of there amp, feedback is going to be less of a problem then probably every other mic on the stage.

With that said, I use SP B1's on both of our guitars when I'm using my mics. Although the main reason for that is I can drape them over the side and not use any mic stands

[Whoopysnorp]

Originally Posted by boingoman

Look for a CAD e100 on ebay, you can score them for $125 if you have some patience. Great guitar amp mics for live and studio, and great for lots of other things too. It's a supercardioid condenser. My other go-to is the AT 4033.

With respect to the other members of the board, if you have problems using a condenser mic on a guitar amp in a live situation, the problem is you, not the mic.

Gain before feedback is about mic polar patterns and placement, not the type of mic you are using. Remember your basics, folks.

I suppose it depends on the style of the music, but assuming heavy rock (because why else would you have a XXX), do you really think there are benefits to using a condenser on the guitar amp that outweigh the negatives associated with using a more fragile mic than a dynamic? I have been to a lot of shows and I don't think I have ever once seen a condenser on a guitar amp. I'm not disputing that it might work, but it doesn't seem likely to me that in that particular application it would work so much better than a dynamic that you would want to put up with the negatives of a condenser.

[Ironklad Audio]

Most people (me included) would not recommend a condenser mic for live guitar amp miking

when i went to the sounds of the underground tour in august, suicidal tendencies(along with a few others) were using AT 3035's on the guitar cabs

but...i'd probably still stick with a 57, i5, or e609 for reliability purposes

[MrStitch]

Ok.... Looks like the whole condenser thing has been shot down by everyone. So... we'll work with dynamics.

Someone here mentioned a mic that drapes over the cab.... I've seen these before, but can't remember the good brands. Any ideas?

Also, if I'm using a traditional style of mic (like the SM57), should I take extra precautions for sound isolation? Reason I ask is.... The SM58 seems to be a hot SOB, and picks everything up from every direction. So I didn't know if those two mic's were similar or not....

[Whoopysnorp]

The SM57 and SM58 are very nearly identical, but I wouldn't worry about bleed problems. Remember, with the gain on the preamp set low to accommodate your big loud guitar amp, it's not going to be sensitive enough to pick up much else.

[boingoman]

Originally Posted by MrStitch

Ok.... Looks like the whole condenser thing has been shot down by everyone. ..

Only by the retards and shitty soundguys.

The rest of us who actually know something think you should just find a mic you like and use it.

[boingoman]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

The SM57 and SM58 are very nearly identical, but I wouldn't worry about bleed problems. Remember, with the gain on the preamp set low to accommodate your big loud guitar amp, it's not going to be sensitive enough to pick up much else.

Are you saying the mic's pickup pattern and response change with the gain setting?

It doesn't work that way.

[Whoopysnorp]

Originally Posted by boingoman

Are you saying the mic's pickup pattern and response change with the gain setting?

It doesn't work that way.

Jesus H...I'm saying that the ambient sound coming from the sides of the mic will not be amplified nearly as heavily as the loud thing that is right in front of the mic. Are you being deliberately obtuse?

[jonnyc]

Originally Posted by boingoman

Only by the retards and shitty soundguys.

The rest of us who actually know something think you should just find a mic you like and use it.

What about retarded soundguys? Is it their fault they're shitty?

[MrStitch]

Let's remember that the Peavey xxx is NOT here yet.... won't have that until about May or so. Thus, I'm stuck with my crappy Marshall solid state and forced to turn it up almost over half just to breach the volume of the drums.

Also, you said that the amp sound will outweigh the ambient sound from the sides. That said, would it be safe to assume that i STILL could easily get feedback problems due to the fact that the ambient noise is present?

Sorry for all the headache guys, but a $100 to me is a lot of money, and I'd sure hate to blow it on something only to dive headfirst into feedback hell.....

[Kevin Deschwazi]

Originally Posted by MrStitch

Also, you said that the amp sound will outweigh the ambient sound from the sides. That said, would it be safe to assume that i STILL could easily get feedback problems due to the fact that the ambient noise is present?

Sorry for all the headache guys, but a $100 to me is a lot of money, and I'd sure hate to blow it on something only to dive headfirst into feedback hell.....

1000’s of people playing gigs all over the world every night don’t have a problem sticking a 57 in front of their cab.

I doubt you will either.

[omo]

Originally Posted by Whoopysnorp

Another option is to take an SM57 and do the TapeOp mod, which is removing the transformer. It reduces the mic's overall output but gives it a truer sound.

Hi, Do you have a link to this?