Shure SM81 On Bass Amp...

[ghetto3jon]

recording some bass next weekend...

i'm planning on recording a direct signal, and a micing the cab. i'm thinking my sm81 would be a good choice for the mic because it's got a pretty flat low end response (without the low cut).

i'm just wondering if anyone has had luck with the sm81 on a bass cab, any suggestions for placement, and if i have to be concerned about SPL with that mic (which i usually use on much quieter sources, like acoustic guitars and what-not).

i'm in a position where i can't really experiment with mic selection or placement too much until showtime, so i thought i'd ask for some suggestions so i could have a game plan. thanks as always!

 

[ermghoti]

I don't hear of people using SDC's on bass cabs. However, I can't think of a good reason why you couldn't...

 

[ghetto3jon]

yeah, i haven't heard much about SDC on bass cabs either. but my other mics don't seem be appropriate beacuse they slop off on the low end (sm57, ev 635a, senn e906).

 

[Big Kenny]

Don't think that much definition is a good thing on bass,,,,Got a ribbon?

 

[Minion]

Bass drum Mics work really well on micing Bass cabs so if you have access to a Bass drum mic then that might be a good option....


Cheers

 

[Ironklad Audio]

there was a topic about this about a week ago...but anyways...

SDC's on bass can be an awesome secret weapon - their smaller diaghprams allow for faster transient response, which allows them to pick up that extra bit of punch and attack off of the speakers.

SM-81's should also have no problem handling the SPL of a bass cab; i've used them on some pretty damned loud sources with no problems before...and if you need it, there's always the -10db pad. i personally stay away from kick mics on the bass cab...i only have 1 kick mic, and don't want it to impart its frequency characteristics on both the kick and bass - it seems to make it tougher to get definition from each as a result

 

[AGCurry]

I'm digging my new MSH-1O omni on bass speaker.

A bass-drum mic like the D112 would be one of my last choices for bass cab, unless I wanted a very tubby sound...just my opinion.

 

[ghetto3jon]

yeah, i've used a beta52 on a bass amp, and didn't like the results. those mics (beta52, d112, etc) seem very tailored to a bass drum by having a bunch of strange peaks and valleys in it's frequency response. i found the result to be crummy on a bass guitar.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Actually, AKG D112 is not a "kick drum" mic. It was designed for recording double bass, and it is just fine on bass cabs. Surprisingly, it is also pretty good as a voiceover mic, especially for deep voices. I use it for one character in a radio play that's got that James Earl Jones vibe. Tubby? No. but- if you like a sharper attack, Audix D6 isn't a bad bass cab mic. Mostly I take the coward's way out > direct > Avalon > No Problem.-Richie

 

[mshilarious]

One thing to keep in mind with response curves on dynamic cardioid mics is that when close-micing a cab you'll have significant proximity effect, which will flatten the curve, maybe even result in a bass boost. So I would not necessarily select a mic based on distant response.

It's been a long time since I miced a bass cab, but I liked to use an MD421 if it wasn't taken up with other duties.

 

[Farview]

If this is a live show, there will probably be more than enough low end rolling off the stage. The 57 or the 906 will work fine.

Not to mention the fact that most PA systems are set up to give much more low end than they are fed.

 

[Paj]

I'm digging my new MSH-1O omni on bass speaker.

Yeah---I used a wide-stereo pair on an outside recording this past summer. I was SURPRISED and AMAZED at the buttery-smooth sound of the bass reproduction from the MSH-1O. It sounded like the bass was discretely recorded and it sat so thick in the mix you felt like you could reach out and grab it!

The problem will be isolation. I used a MSH-1K in a bass drum on a live job and, although it sounded great, it picked up a floor monitor way too loudly. On a live job, the sensitivity of the MSH mics can work against you for backline instruments.

Paj
8^)

 

[TragikRemix]

i'm not a fan of micing the bass cab at all really.. my D112 just didnt cut it. the 57 wouldnt be TOO bad i dont think. i just DI bass, its easier and works fine.

 

[donger]

Im a big fan of micing the cab, but I dont really have a go to bass mic. What I usually try to do is get a very clean sound from the DI and a extremely colorful sound from the mic. I get most the low end from the DI so the low end response of the mic is not that important to me.

 

[markitzero]

Believe it or not, a 57 is great on bass cabs. One of its only good uses, IMO.

I just used an AT 3035 on bass cab the other day. That blended with the DI track, sounded killer.