electric guitar mic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Vurt
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Vurt

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What would be your mic of choice for recording guitar through an amp? You'd never use this mic for anything else at all, just micing amps.

I ask because I never hear of anything other than the 57. Don't get me wrong, I have been using it almost exclusively to mic my guitars and get good results, but I don't really have any experience with any other mics for this purpose.

-Adam
 
Vurt said:
What would be your mic of choice for recording guitar through an amp? You'd never use this mic for anything else at all, just micing amps.

I ask because I never hear of anything other than the 57. Don't get me wrong, I have been using it almost exclusively to mic my guitars and get good results, but I don't really have any experience with any other mics for this purpose.

-Adam
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It's most common 'cos it's a classic sound and you virtually can't go wrong with it -- if you're feeling experimental, try mic'ing up with a few different mics and learn what each one does to the sound. (ie, if you put up a small diaphragm condenser to a distorted Marshall, you'll likely get an overly bright, buzzy sound due to the fact the mic is capturing - in this case unpleasantly - the unwanted extended high-frequency components of the distortion)

It's all about trying it for yourself and learning!!! ;)

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
Well first of all, we need to know your budget. Also, what kinds of mics are you looking for, dynamics or condensors?

Eric
 
I agree with bruce, 57's are the stardards, but in recording there are no set rules. what ever sound better to you is what you should use. Even if it's a radio shack mic through a behringer pre.
 
Wallycleaver said:
...Even if it's a radio shack mic through a behringer pre...
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Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

But WC's right - it's the end result that counts, not how you got there...

"...if it sounds good, then it IS good..." (hmmm... Dragon - if you're listening - can you make that quote MY title when I hit Ed's post count???) ;)

Bruce
 
Not sure of the budget yet. I'm gettting ready to blow about $3000 on new stuff (ADAT, mixer, and some mics), but am acuually more concerned with vocal and other acoustic mics (looking at AT4033 right now). BUT - if something around $100-$200 were to exist that was highly acclaimed around here, I could easily get interested. Like I said, I have been using mostly 57's and haven't had any real complaints. I know they're extremely popular, but I guess I'm just surprised that a $79 product is king of the hill.

If I could improve upon a 57, it would be to open the sound up - make it brighter, roomier, etc... Although I have a C1000S and haven't ever been happy with it on an amp, I still think that the sound I imagine would most likely be captured with a condenser. Just not sure which one.

Believe it or not, I've used a couple RS condensers on everthing from drums to amps to vocals to harmonia with some pretty cool resutls. Nothing you would market, but not bad.

Adam
 
in my book (and my mic closet), the mic I like the most is the royer 121 ribbbon. it is sooooo sweet. if you can get one of these, you should.
 
Audix is marketing their D3 as a "new standard" in cab miking due to the low distortion at high volumes.. I am going to get one most likely. They are about $140.

Also try a sm57 close up and about 3 or 4 feet back a sm58 to capture the ambient sound and then mix the two channels. I have had good success doing this trying to capture a BIG overdriven guitar sound..
 
I Agree

Ribbon mics are usually a nice alternative. Also you might look into the Oktava MC-319 at The Sound Room only for $280US.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions - most are right in my price range, too. I've been reading a bit about the royer 121 and although I can't afford it this tiime around, I'm keeping my eye on it.

thanks everyone

-Adam
 
Hey RE: have you tried that sound room ribbon? have you been able to compare it? I would like to hear your thoughts.
 
I Wish

But no. But for fun, I think I'll contact Taylor and ask him what he thinks about it. He'll veir people away if he thinks their money would be better spent else where; especially for a particular application or if they don't already have a pretty "decent" mic cabinet.

I remember before The Sound Room started selling the ML19, Taylor told me Oktava offered him to sell the same ribbon mic A & F McKay Audio Limited was selling at the time (I don't remember which one it was but for some reason, I don't think it was the one they're selling now; the ML52). He said it didn't sound "bad" but was nothing really "interesting". He said he decided to turn it down mainly due to it being way too noisey.

If I could get the Oktava Factoory website to work, I'd probably be able to see which it was though.
 
Can anyone tell me the price of the Royer 121?

I've been hearing lots of good stuff about this.

Thanks
Brenton
 
Most guys recording hot guitar signals may worry about damaging a nice condensor or frying the delicate ribbon in a ribbon mike.Dynamics can take the SPLs without pads or pulling back to a "safe" distance.And the 57 does guitar better than most others.Read Mix and EQ and see how the SM57 is practically the gold standard for recording guitars.
Feel free to try anything,but do be careful using more delicate condensors and ribbons.
Tom
 
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