Good mic for heavy guitar

  • Thread starter Thread starter Toker41
  • Start date Start date
T

Toker41

Better Than You
My SM57 isn't cutting it for my Boogie. Works well on my Marshall JCM800, but I'm not really happy with it for the Mesa. Any suggestion on other choices for a good mic for guitar cabs?
 
For the most part, I think the Audio Technica line tends to perform very well if you want greater presence and/or clarity. The 4033, 4040, 4050, and 4037 are all very popular in that application.

On the other hand, if you're looking for something with a little less clarity -- something smoother to round out the rough edges, then ribbon mics tend to be very popular. The Royer R-122, in particular, seem to be very well-liked.
 
The Darth Vader of mics:

Sennheiser MD-421

suddenly you'll realise that an SM57 is quite a honky lil' mofo...
 
Second on the 4033. Actually all are good suggestions. A ribbon like a Coles or a Royer would be cool.
 
How about a MXL 603? I can't say I've every used a phantom powered mic on a guitar cab. Infact, I can't ever remember using anything but the sm57.
 
603? I suppose it would do okay. Couldn't hurt to try it.

I think you'd have to be a little more specific as to what it is you don't like about it (the 57) on the Mesa.
 
Re: The Darth Vader of mics:

Or the sound you're getting with the 57 on the Mesa and/or the sound you're trying to get in general.

Speeddemon said:
suddenly you'll realise that an SM57 is quite a honky lil' mofo...
Click to expand...

Absolutely!!! It either does its job or it doesn't at all!
 
Couple probs with the 57 and the Boogie. It seems to have a bit too much mid (white noise), and no matter how I place it it never seems "hot" enough without distorting it. I know first thought is that the boogie EQ isn't right, but the amp sounds great. Like I said, the 57 works great for the Marshall, and it's ok for the Boogie, I just think I could do better on it. I've recorded with this amp in pro studios in the past...but I was just a guitar player then (instead of this god of a producer I've turned into in my own head since ) and can't remember for the life of me what mics were used. I know it wasn't the 57.
 
Another important issue is, what are you plugging the SM 57 into?! What are you using as a pre?! That might be your answer. I have to add that I'm a guitar player and no matter what amp or axe I've used, The 57 has ALWAYS done a superb job. But maybe I'm just old school. :D

Carlos
 
Toker41 said:
It seems to have a bit too much mid (white noise), and no matter how I place it it never seems "hot" enough without distorting it.
Click to expand...

Ah yes . . .

Just a couple things . . . you might want to try cutting the mids on the amp more than you'd normally like. And subsequently cutting the distortion more than you'd normally like.

As far as mics go, I agree the '57 isn't the end-all. It's good on clean to mildly distorted. But after that, I almost always prefer a large-diaphragm condenser. I would recommend grabbing whatever it is you would normally use on vocals, and giving that a shot. Preferablys something with the midrange dip. I absolutely LOVE the BLUE dragonfly on any kind of guitar amp micing, by the way. Funny how I was expecting it to be the ultimate solution as a vocal mic, but it turns out it was made to mic a guitar amp. Go figure.

My earlier recommendation of the Audio Technica might actually be more of the same -- too much midrange.

Or . . . try whatever mic you're using on kick.

Best of luck.
 
There is very, very little mid in the amp (did I mention it's a Boogie? mids are for p***ies...hehe.) I think if I really had to narrow it down it would be the 2X12 cab. I always did have a hard time micing a heavy guitar in a 2 x 12. My 4 x 12 was stolen, so I'm stuck with this for a little while. However...I still have no problem micing the Marshall head on the 2.x 12. But Marshall has a lot less balls....hehe.
 
Hello

I used for the last CD a stereo pair of AKG C414 B-TL II.
The guitarist used a Mesa box and a Peavey 5150 top.
This setup worked well, and sounds great.
 
FWIW...I've had some luck recording a Mark II C+ with a modified Radio Shack PZM. I usually run my Mesa into a closed back 1x12 isolation cabinet with a 57 and it represents the true sound of the amp pretty well. I don't like the sound of this amp through a 2x12 isolation cabinet when I'm recording. It almost sounds like there is too much phase cancellation from the speaker that is not being mic'd. Kind of hollow. It's probably not real popular but I really like the lead sound I get out of this amp through a Red Box Pro being fed from the speaker out. This sound is very full and "singing".
 
have you tried the one mic in front, one in back (polarity reversed on the board) trick?

that gives you a lot more bass!
 
I second the MD421 which has the clarity of the 57, but a more open sound, quite hot also. The MK2 sounds hotter than the MK1 (the grey one)

The MD441 will give you more bottom.

You might be very happy with a Beyer M88 which has a more "tight" sound and a lot of low end. If you want less low end the M69 and/or the M201 will please you.

You should also try an AKG C1000 which can be great on heavy guitar. YES, a C1000!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top