micing a guitar amp
- Thread starter krechaSP
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Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: micing a guitar amp
I tried some $30 Behringer mics that were supposedly "as-good" or "better" than the SM57's about 6 years ago or so. Big mistake. They came in a set of 2 with a case for $60. The supposedly "better" Behringer mics did not pick up as much volume, lacked clarity, clipped easier and sounded muffled (almost underwater). We plugged in an SM57 into the same recording set-up and all was great again. We already had SM57's but we wanted more mics so we thought we could cheat the system by saving some money. At least we were able to do a side-by-side comparison.
Ever since that experience I always keep my SM57 handy. There is no doubt you can find cheaper mics and if that's all your needs demand, by all means, go for it. If you want a mic that will last you a lifetime, sound great and be more than capable: get a used SM57 from a trusted seller/shop. You won't regret it.
I tried some $30 Behringer mics that were supposedly "as-good" or "better" than the SM57's about 6 years ago or so. Big mistake. They came in a set of 2 with a case for $60. The supposedly "better" Behringer mics did not pick up as much volume, lacked clarity, clipped easier and sounded muffled (almost underwater). We plugged in an SM57 into the same recording set-up and all was great again. We already had SM57's but we wanted more mics so we thought we could cheat the system by saving some money. At least we were able to do a side-by-side comparison.
Ever since that experience I always keep my SM57 handy. There is no doubt you can find cheaper mics and if that's all your needs demand, by all means, go for it. If you want a mic that will last you a lifetime, sound great and be more than capable: get a used SM57 from a trusted seller/shop. You won't regret it.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: micing a guitar amp
Another thing to consider which can be quite hard to hear for a beginner is that once you get into decent quality microphones, knowing how to use it is a lot more important than the mic itself. There a lots of microphones in about the same price range as an SM57 (Audix i5, Sennheiser e609, etc), but you can't really cut corners beyond that without sacrificing quality as SnakeAces found out. A great piece of advice I heard is that when you're recording guitars with an SM57 and don't like the sound, try moving it a few inches (or less). Another great piece of advice was to get one decent quality clean preamp and one decent microphone and to record with nothing else for a year. Once you learn how to set up and position your microphone to get the sounds you need, then you're ready to move onto other things.
Recording is an area where it's even easier to get caught up in GAS than playing guitar, but I find it helpful to remember that great albums have been recorded with gear inferior to what you have now.
Another thing to consider which can be quite hard to hear for a beginner is that once you get into decent quality microphones, knowing how to use it is a lot more important than the mic itself. There a lots of microphones in about the same price range as an SM57 (Audix i5, Sennheiser e609, etc), but you can't really cut corners beyond that without sacrificing quality as SnakeAces found out. A great piece of advice I heard is that when you're recording guitars with an SM57 and don't like the sound, try moving it a few inches (or less). Another great piece of advice was to get one decent quality clean preamp and one decent microphone and to record with nothing else for a year. Once you learn how to set up and position your microphone to get the sounds you need, then you're ready to move onto other things.
Recording is an area where it's even easier to get caught up in GAS than playing guitar, but I find it helpful to remember that great albums have been recorded with gear inferior to what you have now.
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: micing a guitar amp
Yup, save up some more money if you want something to go along with your 57. You just ain't gunna be happy with anything in that range other than a used 57.
Experiment with mic positioning and such.
Yup, save up some more money if you want something to go along with your 57. You just ain't gunna be happy with anything in that range other than a used 57.
Experiment with mic positioning and such.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: micing a guitar amp
Agreed. Save and get an SM57, Audix i5, Sennheiser e609; the list goes on and on for high quality dynamic microphones at about $100 new.
Agreed. Save and get an SM57, Audix i5, Sennheiser e609; the list goes on and on for high quality dynamic microphones at about $100 new.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: micing a guitar amp
I am a big fan of Audix mic's and of using mics for non-standard applications. For example, I love the Audix D2 on guitars; it adds a nice weight to the tone. I also love the e609 as a snare drum mic (though I did use the 609 as the guitar mic on my last album). On the guitar tracks I recorded last weekend, I used an sE Electronics Magneto.
There is alot of truth to that, but if you only have enough money for one, that's where careful research and reading the frequency response graphs come in. Perhaps the only real advantage the SM57 has here is that it is so ubiquitous on guutar recordings, most guitarists aleady have a notion as to how it sounds and it makes it easier to dial in for that reason.
I am a big fan of Audix mic's and of using mics for non-standard applications. For example, I love the Audix D2 on guitars; it adds a nice weight to the tone. I also love the e609 as a snare drum mic (though I did use the 609 as the guitar mic on my last album). On the guitar tracks I recorded last weekend, I used an sE Electronics Magneto.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: micing a guitar amp
The audix I5 is a GREAT alternative to the 57, I've been recording guitars (and snares) with one for a few years and it is up there with a 57 IME. Also an sm58 has the exact same insides as the 57 so taking the head off gives you an sm57, so two mics in one!
The audix I5 is a GREAT alternative to the 57, I've been recording guitars (and snares) with one for a few years and it is up there with a 57 IME. Also an sm58 has the exact same insides as the 57 so taking the head off gives you an sm57, so two mics in one!
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