micing bass amp .....

[bostonfan2]

need some advice , i have up till now been recording bass only
direct but i have a session where the bass player really wants to use his amp. the only mics i have are : sm57- sp b1-sp c1-marshall
v67...are any of these capable of capturing a good bass sound?
or just talk him out of using the amp .....thanks...bostonfan2

 

[theletterq]

the only mics i have are : sm57- sp b1-sp c1-marshall
v67...are any of these capable of capturing a good bass sound?
or just talk him out of using the amp

Yes, all of them. I've used everything from a 57 to a LDC on bass amp with good results. All you can really do is wait till he gets there and try them all out. Perhaps he will allow you to take a direct signal in as well and then mix and match to taste. If it sounds good then it sounds good right?

 

[cominginsecond]

I would think the 57 is out because it doesn't respond to frequencies below 40 hz. Maybe that's not super important. Anyway, if I were you, I'd use the B1 because it's a little flatter than either the 57 or the C1, and it goes down to 20 hz (I think?!).

 

[bostonfan2]

Thank you for the reply, thats good news, thought i might be out of luck, i will try your idea for recording direct and micing at the same time, excellent !.....Bostonfan2

 

[DJL]

bostonfan2,
For miking up bass amps I love the Sennheiser MD421 on 15' speakers cab's..... and the Rode NT3 on the 10" speakers cab's.

 

[chessrock]

I would think the 57 is out because it doesn't respond to frequencies below 40 hz. Maybe that's not super important. Anyway, if I were you, I'd use the B1 because it's a little flatter than either the 57 or the C1, and it goes down to 20 hz (I think?!).

Actually, if you're taking a direct signal and mic'ing at the same time as LetterQ is suggesting . . . then the 57 is probably an ideal mic for you. The direct signal will provide you with the really low-lows (that the 57 doesn't respond to), while the 57 will give you more of the punch and definition that the Direct signal might not deliver. It's a good combo.

 

[cominginsecond]

Actually, if you're taking a direct signal and mic'ing at the same time as LetterQ is suggesting . . . then the 57 is probably an ideal mic for you. The direct signal will provide you with the really low-lows (that the 57 doesn't respond to), while the 57 will give you more of the punch and definition that the Direct signal might not deliver. It's a good combo.

Good point. I didn't really read LetterQ's post.

 

[bostonfan2]

DJL,
have heard many positive things about the 421 thanks for the suggestion.

Chessrock,
thanks for expanding on an excellent idea, my options for direct are : RNP / BASS POD / J-STATION / HI -Z INPUT
ON THE 2480 .....so far i DO not like the pod for bass at all, the RNP has been the best (i use an RNC inserted to it) ...thanks to all for your thoughts .

Bostonfan2

 

[Innovations]

Actually if you were looking to buy a new mic for this purpose you might look at the Beyerdynamic M88TG. It has excellent bass response and a very tight pattern so you don't pick up other low frequency rumbles.