Topic: guitar mic questions

[bagtagsell]

Anyone know proper micing techniques for electric guitar amps?  Any mics in the $200 range stand out for this application?  Or anyone know where I can read up on this? Thanks guys.

[Chris K]

the $80 shure sm57 is all you need.

[Chuck]

the $80 shure sm57 is all you need.

The SM 57 is a good choice, but it all depends on what kind of sound you are looking to get. I see lots of guys using LD's on guitar amps now.
Whatever mic you choose though, experiment with placement. Moving a mic a few inches when micing a guitar amp can make a big difference. Good luck...

[bluegrass_brad]

What Chuck said... .  SM57 works great. Just dont point it right at the middle of the speaker.  have it slightly left or right.  another technique is to aim it slightly across the middle of the speaker, just past the middle.  Get that sucker as close to the cab as you can without touching the grill (unless it has a windscreen on it, that push it right up against it).  I have also seen alot of folks using the Sennheiser E-609 as well.

[Xpanding Man]

the sm57 is fine, unless you reach a point where the sound coming out of your cab is more pleasing than the sound coming out of the PA....if you get to that point, you and your band should be able to drop a few hundred on a akg414 tlII, until then , the sm57 is great.

[heath]

57 is the standard, as most have pointed out.  I have had good success with a u87, 421, 4050, and many others.  It all depends on what you are going for.  FWIW, I use a 57 85% of the time.

H

[pfife]

What Chuck said... .  SM57 works great. Just dont point it right at the middle of the speaker.  have it slightly left or right.  another technique is to aim it slightly across the middle of the speaker, just past the middle. 

Yup.  Sound comes from the cone, not the center.  common mistake!  Also recommend the mic - that puppy has legendary status.

[Chuck]

FWIW, Dan Healy used to mic Jerry's rig with a Sennheiser 421. I've found the 421's to be very good microphones. They are great for vocals, guitar amps, on snares, toms and kick drums. But, at about 4 times the cost of an SM57.

[cleantone]

Yep, SM57 Expecially in the range your looking in. That e609 is okay too, I have both and use both. Are you talking about at shows or "studio"? If your not talking about at shows in a live setting, having some distance between the mic and cabinet can be a good thing. Adds a little room to the track. It's all about experimenting! A loud amp is always helpful too! What amp are you miking? You can also try a condensor a few feet out and mix it with the sm57 or e609... Bottom line whatever sounds best. In your price range I'd recomend the Shure sm57...

Let us know!

[pfife]

Yep, SM57 Expecially in the range your looking in. That e609 is okay too, I have both and use both. Are you talking about at shows or "studio"? If your not talking about at shows in a live setting, having some distance between the mic and cabinet can be a good thing. Adds a little room to the track. It's all about experimenting! A loud amp is always helpful too! What amp are you miking? You can also try a condensor a few feet out and mix it with the sm57 or e609... Bottom line whatever sounds best. In your price range I'd recomend the Shure sm57...

Let us know!

Mixing condenscer and SM57 is exactly what they did on my guitar last time I was in the studio.

[hexyjones]

What Chuck said... .  SM57 works great. Just dont point it right at the middle of the speaker.  have it slightly left or right.  another technique is to aim it slightly across the middle of the speaker, just past the middle. 

Yup.  Sound comes from the cone, not the center.  common mistake!  Also recommend the mic - that puppy has legendary status.

I was taught that you should set the mic diaphram parellel to speaker cone...which is basically what is happening in the above...