When recording distorted guitar...

[RAMI]

I know I have to experiment and see what works in every different song and situation...But, generally speaking:

Am I usually better off using a dynamic rather than a condenser. (I know I can use both at the same time, but if you had a choice to use a 57 or a good condenser, what would you do?)

If I do use a condenser, do I put it right up against the grill like I would a dynamic?

Is it worth trying to use a 57 close to the speaker and a condenser further away? Or does the headeache of dealing with phase cancellation not make it worth it?

Fell free to answer on or all of these questions. Thanx

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I know I have to experiment and see what works in every different song and situation...But, generally speaking:

Am I usually better off using a dynamic rather than a condenser. (I know I can use both at the same time, but if you had a choice to use a 57 or a good condenser, what would you do?)

You're absolutely right; it totally depends upon the guitar, playing style, song arrangement and type of amp. BUT...probably 9 times out of 10 I'd personally start with a close-miked 57, for two reasons. First, because it is such a standard because it does work so well in so many situations. Second, because I have used 57s on so many damn cabs in the past (live and in studio) I have a good baseline in my head as to what kind of sound to expect, more or less, and if the resulting sound varies greatly from what is expected, I'll have a good idea as to whether to proceed with different placement, a different mic, etc.

That doesn;t mean that is what I will necessarily end up recording with. I may add a mid-field condensor, or substitute the 57 with a 421, or double up a 57 with a 421, or any combination of the above plus some. Or I may leave it alone. But regardless of where I end up, it's almost always a good solid place to start for me. Start with what you know and expiriment from there if necessary. Starting with a complicated or expirimental setup is just swinging at a moving pinata with a blindfold on.

The following is not set in stone, and others may have different legitimate experineces, but I rarely use condensors on heavily distorted guitar.

G.

 

[RAMI]

Start with what you know and expiriment from there if necessary. Starting with a complicated or expirimental setup is just swinging at a moving pinata with a blindfold on.

Great advice. Thanx Glen. I posted the questions because I found that it seemed I was getting a better guitar sound when all I had was a 57 and no other choice. I kept it simple and it worked.

 

[mjau]

Seems like the 57 gets a lot of unfair criticism - personally, I think it's ideal for a heavily distorted guitar cab. It's like having the right amount of eq right at the source.

 

[Calwood]

When i record distorted guitar I always use 2 dynamic mics,..well,..pretty much always. I'll put one at the grill and put the other distant( wherever sounds good). I suppose there aint no rule for using condenser mics with distorted guitar,..but i personally havent ever been able to get it to sound too good. But,..also,..with distorted guitar,.. I never just use those tracks. There are other things that i usually do to shape it more,..like combine a direct in signal with it,..mic the string attack of the guitar itself,..etc,...and I'll mix them in with it.

My two cents....

take 'er easy,..
Calwood