{Large or small diaphram condensor} for micing guitar amp 6 feet away.

[frank_1]

The plan is to mic a guitar amp with a 57 up to the grill and a condensor about 6 feet back. But what type of condensor?; a small or large diaphram?

If a small diaphram is best I was thinking of the AKG C1000s mic. If a large is best I was thinking of AudioTechnica mic, like the 4033 or the other cheaper one. What do you think of my choices, do you have any better suggestions?

 

[alanhyatt]

Frank,

I would use a small diaphragm condensor at the grille, and use a large diaphragm about 5 to six feet back.

 

[frank_1]

thanks for the info

 

[cerealchamp2000]

I think you had it right with the Shure on the grille cloth. Many condensers don't like too high spl's.

 

[xtremedb]

Dead on about the 57 for close micing.

If you do use a condensor for close application, make sure the pad is engaged. If there is no pad on the mic, don't even bother. If you are trying to get some new, never done before sound, go ahead and try a condensor on the grill... it won't kill anyone.

On the other hand, if you're just looking to get a great guitar tone, you can't argue with the strategy that has worked forever... 57 on the grill.

Now for the distance mic. Distance micing works when you have a great sounding acoustic space. If you don't... no big deal... but don't bother with the mic. If you just want a mic to make your guitar sound better, Try adding a Sennheiser 421 with your 57 and blend the two... or invest more money into your guitar rig.

People are amazed when I tell them that some of the sounds I have gotten live for a great local musician named Chris Leblanc are from one or two 57's... yeah, but their sitting in front of four or five thousand dollars worth of vintage amps!

Brad Gallagher
http://www.just-for-musicians.com/

 

[Henri Devill]

I agree about the 57.Also the 4033 is not that bad close up too!If you got the time then try laying the amp/speaker cab on its back..Then you mic from the position kinda like you are standing over it 5/6 feet .Then you pickup some of the floor resinence,of course it depends on the acoustics of your space..its a old Frank Zappa trick with a Pignose.Oh and if its a tube amp make sure that it can be ventilated.
Good luck
Don

 

[xtremedb]

Neat Zappa trick... I gotta try that. I've also had decent results with a 4033 close mic'd. Remember to engage the pad.

Brad Gallagher
http://www.just-for-musicians.com/

 

[PinkStrat]

FYI I just bought a AKG C 2000B yesterday for a price I couldn't refuse at my local Sam Ash store...WOW, does this baby ROCK when mic'ing cabinets close up! Absolutely killed a SM57 by comparison. Funnily enough, AKG doesn't recommend [in public anyway] using this small diapraghm [13mm] condenser for electric guitar use like they do their C 3000B & C 4000B. Go figure...but this C 2000B is real sparkly and "in your face" at the same time. I love AKG microphones for that lively "real" sound they possess. Be sure to check this one out--I think you'll be quite amazed and really surprised at how it sounds!