Seventh Son
Member
I have spent quite a bit of time learning how to make my Marshall DSL15C and Marshall DSL20CR combo sound good with just an SM57, recording in my one-bedroom apartment. I can get away with volume on 4, which is not bad for recording, when most of the neighbors are at work. With an SM57 on the cap edge, right on the grille, I get typical modern metal tones reminiscent of recent Sneap-produced albums for Priest and Saxon, as well as tones similar to those found on Maiden's A Matter of Life and Death. Just make sure the speaker is broken in. If not, you'll keep running into issues with fizz at the cap-edge position until the speaker has been broken in. Also, if you go for a combo, get also a 1x12" closed-back extension cab with a good speaker in it. Closed-back is key, however. With open-back combos, some of the low-end escapes through the back and the speaker moves more due to having more air, which results in an open, airy, softer tone, with more woofiness/less tightness in the low end. If you want the Marshall sound of heavy rock and metal, I think a closed-back extension cab is indispensable and will save you the trouble of having to double-mike or being disappointed with the softer tone if you opt for just one mic in the front.
I just recently tried running my 100 Watt 6100LM all-tube head into a Marshall 1x12" MXR112R extension cab with a Vintage 30 in it. I did this with volume on 1 to avoid damaging the speaker. The result was not that great. Very bassy and muffled, even with the Bass control turned way down.
I just recently tried running my 100 Watt 6100LM all-tube head into a Marshall 1x12" MXR112R extension cab with a Vintage 30 in it. I did this with volume on 1 to avoid damaging the speaker. The result was not that great. Very bassy and muffled, even with the Bass control turned way down.
Last edited: