Mic recommendation for Hot Rod Deluxe

  • Thread starter Thread starter tikka308
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I like using a combination of mics on my amps. I've used up to 8 mics simultaneously on one speaker. I use any combination or an SM57, a Senn e609s, a Beyer M201tg, an MD421 and a AKG D112 on the grill and I've used all kinds of SDC's and LDC's at distance. I find I usually like having at least one average dynamic (the sm57 and e609), a Large Dynamic (the MD421 and D112) and an LDC at distance (usually my 4040 or NTk). I would really love to pick up a ribbon mic and try that instead of the LDC, but I've got other budgeting issues right now.

I would say you should look at picking up a complementing mic to the SM57. Something quite different. The Condensors you've linked from MXL are a good start, but you might want to think beyond just the guitar end of things. What other mics do you have? What kinds of pres are you using? What kind of results do you want? What else are you recording and how are you recording it?

If all you have is the 57, I would say you should pick up a decent LDC next. If your budget is 300 I would say that an AT4040 would be a good mic choice - it's clean and flat and sounds good on most things (IMO). After that I would get a pair of SDC's, matched if you can, to do stereo recording like acoustic guitar and overheads, and then get a Large Dynamic like the D112. With those five types of mics (1 dynamic, 1 LDC, 2 SDC's, i Large Dynamic) you can record everything you need in a band well - Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocals...you might want to add a good DI for Bass and Keys but other than that, an average Home studio can get away with just 5 mics...

Jacob
 
Wow! That's great to hear - thanks for the info. I think I'll be keeping mine a bit simpler. I'm using a presonus firebox and will ONLY be recording electric guitar through my fender hot rod deluxe. Someone recommended the Sennheiser MD421 - which I think you mentioned too. Would you prefer that to the AT4040? Due to space constraints, I'll be mic'ing close to the amp...

jkokura said:
I like using a combination of mics on my amps. I've used up to 8 mics simultaneously on one speaker. I use any combination or an SM57, a Senn e609s, a Beyer M201tg, an MD421 and a AKG D112 on the grill and I've used all kinds of SDC's and LDC's at distance. I find I usually like having at least one average dynamic (the sm57 and e609), a Large Dynamic (the MD421 and D112) and an LDC at distance (usually my 4040 or NTk). I would really love to pick up a ribbon mic and try that instead of the LDC, but I've got other budgeting issues right now.

I would say you should look at picking up a complementing mic to the SM57. Something quite different. The Condensors you've linked from MXL are a good start, but you might want to think beyond just the guitar end of things. What other mics do you have? What kinds of pres are you using? What kind of results do you want? What else are you recording and how are you recording it?

If all you have is the 57, I would say you should pick up a decent LDC next. If your budget is 300 I would say that an AT4040 would be a good mic choice - it's clean and flat and sounds good on most things (IMO). After that I would get a pair of SDC's, matched if you can, to do stereo recording like acoustic guitar and overheads, and then get a Large Dynamic like the D112. With those five types of mics (1 dynamic, 1 LDC, 2 SDC's, i Large Dynamic) you can record everything you need in a band well - Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocals...you might want to add a good DI for Bass and Keys but other than that, an average Home studio can get away with just 5 mics...

Jacob
Click to expand...
 
The two mics you've asked about are two very different monsters.

The MD421 is a great mic, and does really well at what it does. It's a great low tom, kick and guitar cab mic. I've heard some vocals through them and didn't like them at all. It's really great at catching lower frequencies IMO.

The 4040 is more do it all. You could use it as a close mic (it'll take up to 145 dbs according to the website). It's clean and relatively flat - so it doesn't color or add any hype to your sound. I like it as a 'what you hear is what you get' mic. I would use it more as a room mic, but I have lots of mics right on the cabs I record. I think if it was all I had it'd do a good job right on the cab. But someone with more experience using LDC's on cabs might be able to tell you better.

It's a toss up as far as I'm concerned. Honestly I think you would get the best results if you had both! I know you're just doing cabs, so it's not helpful to have lots of variety in your mics, but I'm always of the mind not to limit yourself.

jacob
 
sm 57
beyer 201
senn 421
senn 609
and the mic you've all been waiting for...... CAD M179 yup, it's a real sleeper and makes amps sound great ( unless they sound like crap to begin with, then it sounds like , well, crap)
 
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