Low watt amps for recording.
- Thread starter mcclano
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moog1000
New member
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
Depends, to record a tube amp well normally requires a good (i.e. expensive) condenser mic, though I know some of the guys on the forum have got good results from a SM57 or similar.
There are quite a few 'small' amps out there like the Fender Blues Junior, Laney LC15 etc. The one I hear most praise about is the Cornford Harlequin as it's only 7 watts and can be cranked all the way.
Depends, to record a tube amp well normally requires a good (i.e. expensive) condenser mic, though I know some of the guys on the forum have got good results from a SM57 or similar.
There are quite a few 'small' amps out there like the Fender Blues Junior, Laney LC15 etc. The one I hear most praise about is the Cornford Harlequin as it's only 7 watts and can be cranked all the way.
Young Angus
Kometose Tonologist
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
If you can spend a bit get a THD univalve, 15watts and whatever tube type you feel like at the time...awesome for recording!
If you can spend a bit get a THD univalve, 15watts and whatever tube type you feel like at the time...awesome for recording!
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
I'm no pro but I think I get better results with my condensers than my 57s so YMMV. FWIW, I'm pretty happy with the tone I get using an MXL mic that costs less than a new 57.
Depends on who you talk to. I know plenty of pros who use SM57s as their first option.moog1000 said:
I'm no pro but I think I get better results with my condensers than my 57s so YMMV. FWIW, I'm pretty happy with the tone I get using an MXL mic that costs less than a new 57.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
Why not just get a little Korg Pandora and use that?
For non-critical applications, that's what I use, and the sound quality is great!!
You can use headphones, it's portable, and affordable.
Why not just get a little Korg Pandora and use that?
For non-critical applications, that's what I use, and the sound quality is great!!
You can use headphones, it's portable, and affordable.
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
I have a Fender Champ 12 ( All tube) that I use for recording. I've got
good results useing a SM57 or Condencer mics. Also I've run the line out
into my sans amp GT-2 right into the board for directed recording.
I have a Fender Champ 12 ( All tube) that I use for recording. I've got
good results useing a SM57 or Condencer mics. Also I've run the line out
into my sans amp GT-2 right into the board for directed recording.
mrfjones
New member
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
my soldano actually sounds better close miced by a shure than it does with my condenser. Another option is to use both a shure 57 and a condencer mic. I think that gives you the sound of the room you are in too.
the univalve sounds like a cool amp but there are a lot out there, it all depends on how much you want to spend
something nice and small can sound huge on a recording because you can crank it, but you have a much harder time cranking a large tube amp.
my soldano actually sounds better close miced by a shure than it does with my condenser. Another option is to use both a shure 57 and a condencer mic. I think that gives you the sound of the room you are in too.
the univalve sounds like a cool amp but there are a lot out there, it all depends on how much you want to spend
something nice and small can sound huge on a recording because you can crank it, but you have a much harder time cranking a large tube amp.
mrfjones
New member
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
well anywhere between $300 and $1000 or more depending on the amp and as for the mics a shure 57 under 100 and a condenser $200-$1000 depending on the mic. It is possible to get a great sound on recodings for very little this way you could get away with $600 or less if you get some stuff used.
well anywhere between $300 and $1000 or more depending on the amp and as for the mics a shure 57 under 100 and a condenser $200-$1000 depending on the mic. It is possible to get a great sound on recodings for very little this way you could get away with $600 or less if you get some stuff used.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
My understanding has always been that you match the media being recorded to with the mic type. For digital a condenser mic will typically yeild better results. For analog the SM57's a good standard choice.
With that said I dig the Blues Jr. I picked one up about 6 months ago and did some mods to it and it's become my #1 amp for rehearsals and gigs. It's got a nice warm tone to it and as long as we have a good PA to work with I can mic it when were in larger rooms.
My understanding has always been that you match the media being recorded to with the mic type. For digital a condenser mic will typically yeild better results. For analog the SM57's a good standard choice.
With that said I dig the Blues Jr. I picked one up about 6 months ago and did some mods to it and it's become my #1 amp for rehearsals and gigs. It's got a nice warm tone to it and as long as we have a good PA to work with I can mic it when were in larger rooms.
Re: Low watt amps for recording.
Although I like the tone of the Pro Jr and Blues Jr, I don't care for their background noise levels. A well-maintained vintage tube amp will sound at least as good and will run much more quietly at idle. For recording, you might consider any 5-15 watt vintage Fender, late-50's Gibson, or 1960's Ampeg. The new Bad Cat Mini looks really nice, too. A good condenser or dynamic mic will work, but you can't get the best sound out of either without a proper mic preamp. A lot of experienced recordists seem to think you need a very good mic pre when using something like the SM57. The FMR Audio RNP at under $500 does a great job with either type of mic. So far, I really like the BLUE Baby Bottle and SM57 for recording small amps. The ElectroVoice omni (PL5, 635?) works well, too.
Although I like the tone of the Pro Jr and Blues Jr, I don't care for their background noise levels. A well-maintained vintage tube amp will sound at least as good and will run much more quietly at idle. For recording, you might consider any 5-15 watt vintage Fender, late-50's Gibson, or 1960's Ampeg. The new Bad Cat Mini looks really nice, too. A good condenser or dynamic mic will work, but you can't get the best sound out of either without a proper mic preamp. A lot of experienced recordists seem to think you need a very good mic pre when using something like the SM57. The FMR Audio RNP at under $500 does a great job with either type of mic. So far, I really like the BLUE Baby Bottle and SM57 for recording small amps. The ElectroVoice omni (PL5, 635?) works well, too.
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