Tube Amp Archive

I know zippo about mics for recording speakers. Looking for a decent unit that:

A - doesn't break the bank - used preferred

B - can connect via USB or possibly MIDI

C - mixing software - I suspect it will be necessary

Not looking for award winning studio quality but enough to A/B cabinets & speakers.

Thanks for replies.

You've heard Shure SM57 on many billions of records. $60 used. You'll need a recording interface, $80 used. Software, like Audacity, is free.

Another route: used USB microphone, like Blue Snowball. Then you don't need a recording interface. But totally different sound.

Do you just wan to record, or any analysis involved?

There are a lot of options as you know. I don't do anything USB so I can't help you there.

The SM57 has been used on so many recordings, but not usually by itself. Usually mixed with other mic(s).

A/B recording is tricky as mic placement is everything. Different mic placements will yield completely diffferent sounds that one would swear could not be coming from the same amp and cab. You have to pay a lot of attention to detail to successfully do A/B comparisons. As you get into the details and make some recordings I think you will realize what a large can of worms you have opened. It's doable, but it's not as easy as you may think.

Can of worms?!?! Since when is this guitar/amp/tone stuff not knee deep in worm guts?

Not looking for production style recording more to demo 8's vs. 10's vs. 12's in different cabs mostly to amuse myself and pretend that I am contributing to sound knowledge. Up to this date I generally serve as a warning to others - 'don't do this!' No instrument analysis other than the subjective mark one ear.

The mic doesn't matter. You are looking for a baseline. In this case almost anything could work. Find one that sounds natural in some way to you and start aiming it.

Moving a mic 2mm has as much effect as changing microphones. This won't be science.

Make a grid with a picture frame and some fishing line. Measure the distance from the dust cap to the frame and take a picture for records on where the mic was for reproducability or relative placement.

Sennheiser 609 and 906 mics are great for guitar cab mic'ing. They have a less "peaky" response than the SM57(which has a built in prescence peak) Also there are some ribbon mics that do a nice job, albiet with higher cost.

I have been using a 609 for a while. I tend to get better recordings with it than a 57, but then again I don't have a robotic microphone mover thingy. Just when it is in the perfect spot, my microphone mover wants to vacuum some other area.

Seriously, it is about placement. Maybe the 609 has a bigger sweet spot?

The SM57 is the go-to for close miking guitar amps.

Another good buy is the Audix i5. Not necessarily 'better' than the SM57, but different.

Plenty of reviews of both out there.

I still have a handfull of the EV DS-35 mics. Used them for vocals in the 70's, 80's, and then found they are also great instrument mics. They are pretty cheap now, if you find them, (I think I paid $140 ea new, when dollars could buy something!)

Once again, as it comes down to so many things..its subjective. Even though SM57's are "go-to" I never liked the presence peak on top of a already resonably bright amp like a Marshall or Hiwatt. The mic sounds better with Fenders and their ilk. For my taste the Sennheiser and or a Royer Ribbon capture more of what I want to hear.