Distorted Guitar Recording, Mesa Boogie Amp

[tarnationsauce2]

Here is how a lot of times I like to place my mics.
Playing with the degree of angle and distance to taste.

The length of the ribbon element is parallel with the cone of the speaker to pick up a wide range of the surface area (and sound) coming off the speaker.
The SM57 is much more focused at the surface area it's aimed at.

Some times I'll remove the grill if it's practical.

 

[tubedude]

I'll have to bypass everyones advice and offer you the best advice yet. Sell your mics and pick up a Royer ribbon and a good preamp. I swear to you it totally simplifies things. 10 times easier, and the sound is superb. Filters out the nasty, leaves the tasty. You cant lose with one. Try one and you'll understand. Ribbons are PERECT for Mesa's. In fact, I have a sample here where I recorded a Mesa recto with a Shinybox ribbon, and a Mesa Stiletto with the same mic. FInd the Recto one. It sounds more like a Marshall after using the ribbon.

 

[HangDawg]

In general the outer edge of the speaker is tighter, thinner sounding with more top end. Closer to the center is flabbier with more bass.

In general, I think you have this backwards.

 

[HangDawg]

The recs also have a presence knob. Which is basically what amounts to be an instant "suck knob." You'll want to keep that disengaged.



Good point. You get much smoother and fuller distortion that way. If you're working with 6L6 power tubes, by the way, then I highly highly recommend switching out to EL-34's for recording. The 6L6's are just scratchy-sounding to me. I don't like recording with them at all.

These are probably valid points for a stock boogie. I just had mine modded by voodoo amps and it's a whole other animal now. The presence know no longer is the suck knob. Matter of fact, the whole eq section is a whole lot more useful now. Super tight lows and smooth highs. I also have 6l6's in mine and there is no scratchy shit to be found.

Point being, if he didn't buy this brand new or know of it's history you can't really say any of this given the number of people who have their heads modded as soon as they buy them.

 

[jdier]

Well, it's good to know that you finally got around to it!

.

Actually, I got around to it right after the original posts to my question, I just got around to sharing that it worked now!

Thanks again to all for the replies...

I brought this one back just to close the loop in the case that someone searched on it.

Few notes:
Thanks for all the new suggestions. I have thought about a ribbon mic, but sooner or later I have to take control of my GAS! Maybe someday.

Yes the room is treated. Following some exchanges with E Winer my partner and I built qty 8 of 8ft x 2ft bass traps made with front panels of varying thicknesses. We also build a nice diffuser that covers and entire wall and have filled in open spaces with 2' x 2' fabric covered 703 panels. I do not think the room was my problem.

Regarding the presence knob, we did take it down (as stated in my original follow up) but agree with the recent posters that I likely should have taken it down all the way.

Hey, that is what this is all about for me. Trying, learning, having fun.

Again, I hugely appreciate everyone who took the time to help and provide suggestions.

Later,

Jim