Mic Placement

[Cman]

I'm really new at this home recording stuff so I need as many tips as I can get. Anyhow, I was wondering if you guys could give me some suggestions on mic placement of a distorted guitar amp. I have a Carvin MTS 3200 2x12 if that helps at all. I'm trying to get a really full/big sound, bassy(but not too bassy). Please help me figure out where to put the darn thing(mic)!!

Thanks,
Cman

 

[Jeeper]

Have a look at about page 13 of the Shure guide. It should give you some starting out info.

http://www.shure.com/pdf/booklets/mics_for_music_studio.pdf

Many people start out with an SM57 for this job but it's not the only choice. I'm no expert either but someone needed to point you somewhere. Several mic companies and sites have similar gudies the one I referenced was the first on of the top of my head.

Hope this gets you going.

 

[Cman]

Thanks Jeeper,
I already have the SM57 (I got that much figured out). Hopefully the pdf will shead some light on my dilemma.

Thanks again,
Cman

 

[deadleafecho]

I put the 57 right on the grill, directly in the middle of the speaker cone. Move out left or right to taste, or experment with point the mic at a angle backtowards to center
Me personally, i use a 57 smack dab in the middle every time, sometimes mixed with a 58 in a slightly different place or angle for color

 

[Bigus Dickus]

Take a look at the big 560 post thread currently 2/3 down this page... entitled "How does blah blah..."

A wealth of knowledge in there, and your question is answered complete with all the background as to why a particular placement might work better and pretty pictures to boot!

 

[fprod south]

Me personally, i use a 57 smack dab in the middle every time

I second that. I spent a few hours with different mic placement and angles on a distorted guitar. Dead center, straight on, less than an inch out sounded so much better than anything else.

 

[coplinger]

Another thing you should try is recording 2 takes of the guitar track & panning them L & R. This definitely makes it sound 'bigger & fuller'