Guitar Amp mics

[Idgeit]

hey!

I've been recording for a good while, and i've decided i may aswell invest in some good mics, Im just wondering what mic yous all prefare to use on a Guitar amp,

im looking around the ?100 - ?150 mark



thanks.

- Idgeit

 

[MadAudio]

The standard - Shure SM57
My current favorite - Sennheiser e609s

Each can be had for about $100.

 

[Mr. Moon]

Beyerdynamic M69

-mr moon

 

[dustman380]

Blue Ball mic
I have it and love it

 

[OneArmedScissor]

Anybody here ever compared a Beta 57 to some of those? I've heard that it is outright better than the SM57, but then again, I rarely see anyone talk about it.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Anybody here ever compared a Beta 57 to some of those? I've heard that it is outright better than the SM57, but then again, I rarely see anyone talk about it.

Better?? No... Different? Yes...

The basic difference is the Beta has somewhat more top-end than a standard 57... neither is inherently better than the other, sometimes one is more appropriate for a given context than the other......

 

[nueve]

What about the PG57?, is it good?

 

[OneArmedScissor]

Better?? No... Different? Yes...

The basic difference is the Beta has somewhat more top-end than a standard 57... neither is inherently better than the other, sometimes one is more appropriate for a given context than the other......

OK cool. Thanks for clearing that up.

Some people act like it is just plain better because it is the more expensive "beta" model, like the SMs are the cheaper versions or something.

Looking at the frequency response charts though, they are obviously completely different, and their prices are too similar for people to not have noticed if it really was better.

 

[maskedman72]

md 421
e609s
57
coles ribbon 4038
royer 121

 

[Rocket Boy]

....

an e609s on one speaker and a an sm57 on the other sounds pretty cool. i've noticed them doing it on jay leno.

 

[sile2001]

OK cool. Thanks for clearing that up.

Some people act like it is just plain better because it is the more expensive "beta" model, like the SMs are the cheaper versions or something.

Looking at the frequency response charts though, they are obviously completely different, and their prices are too similar for people to not have noticed if it really was better.

I second Blue Bear's words. I have a pair of SM's and a Beta. The SM's are great for snare, while the Beta sucks for it. The Beta is awesome on my voice, while the SM's suck. It's all in the application.

 

[cominginsecond]

Up your budget by a little and see if you can get a used SM7 for under $180. That mic kills on guitar cabs.

 

[Han]

There's been quite some discussion about the subject isn't it?

Sometimes someone respond with a simple : C414 (for example), Mr. Moon responds here with : M69 and a link to the Beyer site.

Although I agree with him about the 69, I would like to see people also add the reason why they recommend a mic like that.

I never use the 57 on guitar cabs, simply because I don't like the 57 at all. It's no more than a mediocre microphone.

Much depends on the sound you're after and whether it's a clean or a distorted sound. If you like a thin sound without balls, by all means use a 57.

If you want a bright sound with a lot of oomp, grab a MD421 and put it close to the grill.

For a little less brightness, but a bigger bottom, the MD441 will be your friend for a lifetime.

The M69 is completely different, a very tight sound and very rejective which can be great when recording a band in one room. Kind of a much better 57 sound.

The M88 otoh is even better, a nicer (silkier) hi end and more bottom.

The M201 isn't bad either, you can use many mics with great succes on amps.
I've had some good results with the SP B1 as well.

Have a nice day.

 

[Mr. Moon]

There's been quite some discussion about the subject isn't it?

Mr. Moon responds here with : M69 and a link to the Beyer site.

Although I agree with him about the 69, I would like to see people also add the reason why they recommend a mic like that.

OK....

I like the M69 because it more accurately replicates the character and tone that come out of my Marshall 4x10 better than any other mic I have tried, including the SM57. For me, it covers the clean and overdriven sounds perfectly, without getting muddy on the low end.

-mr moon

 

[Sonixx]

Right now, my goto is a e609S and a MD421... mixed.

More MD421 for the bottom and top end and more e609S for the mids. The e609S mids and top are really smooth. The e609S EQ's very well (love the EQ curve of this mic)... IMO, easier than the MD421.

I may throw in a 57 when needed for the upper mids, but the 57 can be somewhat honky.

If I had to pick just one... it'd probably be the MD421... I have more experience with it... but I really like the e609S, too.

With that said, it still boils down to the situation, though...

-Keith-

 

[artCROSS]

newb question

I have a sm57 that i use to record my 2x12. However, the sound, whether clean or distorted, is very thin. I was wondering if this was due to my placement (i've tried moving it around in all directions) or the preamp (just plugging it directly to my edirol fa 101 preamp. Everyone says great things about this mic, i just can't seem to get similar results...an SP B1 sounds better to me.

 

[Warhead]

The thin SM57 sound may be that you're pointing the mic center of the cone or have it positioned too close. Back it off some and try to pick up the entire speaker sound, provided it sounds thick from the speaker you'll have a thicker sound. You don't necessarily need to point the mic off axis either, experiment.

I'm not a huge fan of SM57 on cabs for the most part, but in that price range it's a good choice. In your price range the E/V ND468 is a cool cab mic that is dependent on closer proximity for better bass response and can be versatile on cabs. It has a fairly sharp / focused sound particularly for a dynamic.

On clean electric I actually like the AT804 which is an omni dynamic mic. Great fit for clean cabs and "point and shoot" type positioning equals easy to work with.

War

 

[Fletcher]

im looking around the ?100 - ?150 mark

md 421
coles ribbon 4038
royer 121

Wow... if that can be done, sign me up for 15 or 20 of each!!!

Wanna have some fun... if you have access to some pink noise, run it through the guitar amp at a fairly low level, then with the mic you're moving returning to you in headphones move the mic around until you hear the pink noise in your headphones sound pretty similar to what you hear coming out of the amp... or the "brightest" spot whichever comes first [I'm not kidding, whichever comes first].

Disconnect the pink noise, plug in the guitar, hit record and be done with it.

 

[Idgeit]

Hey all for that, it was a great help

 

[MadAudio]

Wanna have some fun... if you have access to some pink noise, run it through the guitar amp at a fairly low level, then with the mic you're moving returning to you in headphones move the mic around until you hear the pink noise in your headphones sound pretty similar to what you hear coming out of the amp... or the "brightest" spot whichever comes first [I'm not kidding, whichever comes first].

Disconnect the pink noise, plug in the guitar, hit record and be done with it.

I've seen this technique done before (at Sony studios in NYC) and it really works.