Best Mike and Preamp for distorted guitar

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jamtheguitarman

jamtheguitarman

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Hi

What would be the best Mike and Preamp for the money for recording distorted guitar along the lines of Dream Theater, Steve Vai?

could you recommend a budget solution and a next level up solution.

I was thinking about a SM57 and a DMP3.

Thanks Alot.

Ps i have searched a bit on the forum but couldnt find a specific answer for my question.
 
Budget solution:
SM57 and a TL audio pre (5001 is a 4-channel option)

Mid level Solution:
Beyer M160 - UA 610 pre

Best:
Coles 4038 and Chandler TG 2

just imho
 
Steve Vai uses a Beyer 160 Ribbon, Sennhieser MD-421 and SM57 on the best upper speaker of the Legacy 1/2 stack right on the front(all phase aligned). He uses the Neumann U47 about 8 to 12 feet away depending on what room its in for a room mic.. He uses alot of different pre's in to his API legacy console and favors Pultec eq's. Most of what makes Steve sound like Steve is Steve and his guitar.


SoMm
 
I was thinking about a SM57 and a DMP3

The 57 work work great - and does for many even with very expensive rigs. But the DMP3 is going to be too clean. Something with some color would be better. I'd recommend Joemeek threeQ, Studio Projects VTB-1 or even the Behringer MIC2200.

Next level: Maybe Beyer 160 with API mic pre. That's serious damage.

GT44's also a great amp mic. Might still be on sale at GC for $199 each. Best deal on the market right now if you can find one. Even the $99 GT33 is excellent.
 
Now that you mention the GT44, could somebody briefly comment on how that compares to the MXL V69M and/or MXL 2003? Again, I'm interested in the same application, distorted guitar.
 
gusfmm, the GT44's not as dark or as colored as the V69. The GT44's sounds "meaty", warm and forward. A fairly unique-sounding mic. The V69 can work on cabs very well, too.
 
I like the look of the Studio Projects VTB-1. the Joe meek 3EQ has alot of features for that price, will that mak it less quality?
 
I use a Presonus BlueTube preamp ($99 at MF) with a Shure SM57 mic. I place the SM57 an inch from the speaker off axis and have always been happy with the results for distorted guitar.

Main thing is to make sure your guitar & amp sound good first. Try not to use digital distortion or digital effects if possible - they sound brittle on tape. If you can keep the entire guitar sound running through tube stages you'll likely be pleased with the results.
 
Main thing is to make sure your guitar & amp sound good first. Try not to use digital distortion or digital effects if possible - they sound brittle on tape. If you can keep the entire guitar sound running through tube stages you'll likely be pleased with the results.
Click to expand...

How come so many people use Line 6 pods and digital rack effects then?
 
I think people buy digital distortion/effects because they are lower cost and more versatile/convenient than tube gear. When playing live or recording I think tube amps are by far the best for quaility of sound. For versatility and bang for the buck digital is excellent.

I currently use a 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Amp and add an ADA MP-1 (tube preamp) for heavier distortion. I bought a POD XT and am impressed with the sound but when it comes down to sound quality the Twin & the MP-1 sound the best - you can hear the sound of the guitar rather than digital articles.
 
Who uses line 6 pods and digital effects when reocrding killer guitars?
 
Who uses line 6 pods and digital effects when reocrding killer guitars?
Click to expand...

I know a few guitarists like bumblefoot or Michael romeo who use Vetta,s and other stuff. Then theres people like Steve vai and John petrucci who have stacks of digital effects.
 
I usually prefer a 58 to a 57 on distortion, but for that style, you may also want to add a condenser into the equation if you can.
 
Using racks of digital effects is quite different from using a pod. Also, those guys have spent hundreds of hours finding the right units for the right sounds, and then even more hours fine tuning them to their nice amps and guitars and their exquisite playing:)

Concerning the Line 6 Vetta. The Vetta is WAY different than the pod. The implementation in the Vetta amps is light years above what the previous Line 6 amps were. Of course it also costs 6 times more than a pod.

One more thing.... How many of those guys record the signal straight out compared to micing their cabs?
 
xstatic said:
Using racks of digital effects is quite different from using a pod. Also, those guys have spent hundreds of hours finding the right units for the right sounds, and then even more hours fine tuning them to their nice amps and guitars and their exquisite playing:)
Click to expand...
Good to see there is someone that really understands and appreciates guitar players who use rack gear! (Many "audio gurus" around here have the belief that a guitar ought to be played straight to the amp NO MATTER WHAT otherwise it won't have a decent tone.)

xstatic said:
One more thing.... How many of those guys record the signal straight out compared to micing their cabs?
Click to expand...
My guess:
Straight out: 1%
Mic+cab: 99% (A cab is most of the time a component of their own sound)
 
digitalvillage.co.uk - have got an awesome deal on the gt 44's at the moment - £220 reduced from £600 - a tube condenser which by all accouts will greatly improve the sound of any recording.....plus it's a very versatile mic.....seems worth it to me - in fact i'm going to order one now!
 
The Gt44 looks a good deal. Its a bit more than i was looking to spend but is it worth spending that much more? Also is it worth spending more on the mike or the preamp?
 
In general it seems that budget mics seem to perform a little better than budget preamps.
 
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