condenser mic for distorted guitar?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wireneck
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Wireneck

Wireneck

New member
I know that the sm-57 is the most common setup for micing up an amp for rock guitar maybe with a condensor a few feet back. Ive seen a few post where people have recommended a condenser for micing a cab. Is this mainly used on clean tones or do people use condensers on distorted tones as well? Also would you close mic an amp with a condenser?
I play through a marshall jcm cab, ive tried using a condenser before but it sounded thin and brittle on distorted tones. I own an At-3035 and 2 mxl-603s . Anyways im just trying to come up with some different ideas on micing my cab. The 57 isn't bad at all, i guess im just curious and being bored at the same time. Thanks guys.
 
Hey man, I have gotten pretty good results out of a 603 about 4 or 5 feet back on guitar amp. I didn't use it on any of the recordings you might have heard though. We are actually recording guitar tomorrow so maybe I can post some results. Just so you know, many famous engineers like to put Neumann Km84's right up on the grill of guitar amps, so I have heard. Chessrock, in this forum, gets very good results with a Blue Dragonfly.

What other mics do you have? Different dynamics can do really good too. I have recently acquired a lot of mics I want to try. I am going to try a Beyer M88, SP C-1 and B-1, ADK A51, and Sennheiser 441. I might try my Peavey 520i (it is actually a good mic)for fun too. I'll let you know. Hey, maybe I'll do a mic shoot out or something.

Check back in a couple days the mic forum and I'll post something.

Beez
 
thanks

Thanks beezoboy,
pretty much the only dynamics i own right now are sm-57's and 58's. I might experiment with the 603, did you have a problem with gain since the 603 doesn't have a pad?
I am very satisfied with the results of recording my own setup but im starting to record alot more for others and i know that my usual setup prob won't work for everyone.
Id like to hear some of the sounds your getting with different mics if you get a chance to post them.
 
No I didn't have to much of a problem with gain because I didn't put it right up to the grill. Also you can always just turn your amp down, although sometimes that could effect the tone depending on the sound you are going for.

Yeah...I'll try and post some recordings when I get them recorded. It is 12:30 right now and we have band practice in about an hour, then we might get some recording done.

Just don't kill your 603 by trying to mic a really loud amp.

Beez
 
Beezoboy

yeah man i know what you mean about killing the 603, I use the distortion off my marshall head so I have to at least have my volume around half way to get the sound I like.
Im doing some demos for Canvas Solaris in a few weeks. Hunter's kit is alot larger than what im used to micing, i was just trying to come up with some ideas to use on their amps since the majority of my mics are going to be on his drum kit. They just signed to tribunal records last week. They have a small 4 song cd thats coming out in may. There just demoing out stuff over here so they will have the main stuff worked out for a full length. Ill post some once my ftp gets back up, im sure you will apprectiate it since your a drummer. They have some really messed up stuff going on these days lol. Ok enough babbling from me.
 
I know this sounds weird, but I've seen engineers put a D112 on a guitar cab-particularly if it's modern-ish heavy rock. It does sound thunderous.

chris
 
Wow...thats cool man. Well I have some pretty decent mics I can loan you for a week or two maybe. We are recording right now too, but for now the drum stuff is finished. We are actually recording to make a 4 song demo to send out to labels. We are going to keep a couple from the old demo too.

Heres my list of mics.

Dynamic Microphones
-------------------
3 - AtPro25
2 - RS 33-3032
4 - Sm58
3 - Sm57* (not mine but you could probably borrow them still)
1 - Peavey 520i
1 - Beyer M88TG
1 - Sennheiser 441

LD Condenser Microphones
------------------------
1 - ADK A51
1 - MXL V67
2 - SP B-1
1 - SP C-1
1 - Neumann U87

SD Condenser Microphones
------------------------
2 - MXL603s
2 - Behringer ECM8000
1 - ADK SC-1

Anyway man, give me a call sometime and we'll talk about it. If you want some help let me know.

Beez
764 - 9357 or beezoboy@yahoo.com
 
beezo

Hey thanks man,
I wouldn't feel right just borrowing your mics but I definantly would be interested in maybe renting the 57s and the 441 for a day or two maybe (for a fair price ,haha im pretty broke) thats if you would be interested.
Id like to hear your new stuff once you get it ready. Were working on a new demo thats almost finished but were waiting on jeff to finish up vocals and stuff.

Cmez,
thanks for the info, i have a beta 52 but i don't think i would like the way it would sound on my amp. Im not really going for the whole Nu-metal super tuned down sound.
 
forgot to ask

beezoboy do you ever use Aol instant messanger? my name is wireneckCr if you do.
 
No man, I mean I have an account but I don't like it using AOL IM. The sounds and its format drive me nuts. I am on MSN and on Yahoo Messenger occasionally. I am under Beezoboy for all of those.

Just give me call or e-mail about the mics.
Beez
 
condenser microphones for distorted guitar

Yep sure thing! I use condensers all the time for cutting distorted guitar tracks. My favorite things to use are the Audio Technica 4047SV and AKG model C 4000B. Even the Shure KSM 32/44 are very good for this particular application. I pick the microphone depending upon what guitar I'm using. These mics are all extremely low self noise too.
 
Another vote for LDC's on guitar amp.

You have to be careful with certain tones, but overall I find them to be more accurate; much less muddy, especially as you stack up the different layers. Stick your best vocal mic on the amp and have at it.
 
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