Recording my amp

[lex666]

Hey guys,

If I wanted to make some recordings of my amp, but my amp doesn't have a line out, does that mean my only option is to use a mic?

Can someone recommend a good but inexpensive mic? Maybe less than $100?

Also, give me some tips about recording like, mic placement, what volume my amp should be, etc, etc ...I'm new at this.

I have a 4 track digital recorder I'll be recording to.

Thanks!

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Recording my amp

Shure SM 57 = $90

Position to taste using head phones while listening. I like dead center on axis.

Hit record and play yer guitar.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Recording my amp

As Binnerscot said Shure Sm57 is THE guitar mic. I have gotten 2 off of ebay the last one for 65 bucks. I actually like mine flush with the grill off to the side of the speaker.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Recording my amp

Highjack Alert!!! Sorry hahaha

But what's so great about THE Shure SM57? I mean, I bought an Audix i5 in spite of everone's exuberance of the SM57. I know that's kinda stupid but I usually don't hear enough reasons why it's THE mic.? 'Cause the president uses it???

Depending on what size your amp is I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the volume should (my inexperienced opinion) be, if you're at least 8ft away, enough to be a little loud, but doesn't completely envelope your ears and body to an awashed deafness. My amp is a solidstate 65 watter and the manual suggests you have the volume at least on 2, which sounds like what I mentioned above, loud but could go up maybe half a notch. It pushes air a little and makes mic recordings pleasing.

Currently, I place the mic on the grill straight into the cone - alot of presence and cleartone, lovely on cleans, but for heavy distortion, it sounds a bit... small. So I'm gonna try placing it between the cones center and the edge of the speaker to make it a li'l bigger sounding.

No way is really wrong. Just experiment. I been experimenting with mic placement for years and I stll haven't pinned it, but I feel more knowledgeable 'bout it in 2007.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Recording my amp

I'll take your hijack and raise you one.....

The i5 is a great guitar cab mic, but it misses the low mid growl that the 57 has. I do like the top end definition and clarity of the i5 more than the 57, but all things being equal - the 57 is still the standard because it gets very good results with so many styles and and amps.

The i5 doesn't always work as well in lower gain areas (opinion of course) where the the 57 picks up those nuances better - the i5 can sound a bit sterile in low gain applications, but it is killer for high gain wall of sound recordings due to its better clarity.

Both are great guitar mics, but no one is allowed to experiment with different guitar mics until they know the 57....LOL

Forgot to add, the 57 has a legendary stage abuse survival reputation

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Recording my amp

but for heavy distortion, it sounds a bit... small. So I'm gonna try placing it between the cones center and the edge of the speaker to make it a li'l bigger sounding

Back off on the gain (it sounds bigger), roll back the presence just a bit if its too bright, keep the mic where you have it. Record two identical tracks (play it twice) and pan them hard right and hard left....invert the phase on one track and see how it comes out.

Moving the mic as you intend to will generally give you more warmth and furry low mids.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Recording my amp

I'll take your hijack and raise you one.....

The i5 is a great guitar cab mic, but it misses the low mid growl that the 57 has. I do like the top end definition and clarity of the i5 more than the 57, but all things being equal - the 57 is still the standard because it gets very good results with so many styles and and amps.

The i5 doesn't always work as well in lower gain areas (opinion of course) where the the 57 picks up those nuances better - the i5 can sound a bit sterile in low gain applications, but it is killer for high gain wall of sound recordings due to its better clarity.

Both are great guitar mics, but no one is allowed to experiment with different guitar mics until they know the 57....LOL

Forgot to add, the 57 has a legendary stage abuse survival reputation

Thanks Binnerscot. You see, that's the kinda feedback I enjoy, not, "because Nirvana used it on Nevermind." I may hafta at least try a '57 now.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Recording my amp

Back off on the gain (it sounds bigger), roll back the presence just a bit if its too bright, keep the mic where you have it. Record two identical tracks (play it twice) and pan them hard right and hard left....invert the phase on one track and see how it comes out.

Moving the mic as you intend to will generally give you more warmth and furry low mids.

Now, I knew about recording identical tracks, but I must admit, "I am'a lazzay!", - most (heavy metal) guitarists would go ga-ga over recording two guitar parts to sound heavier, but me... ugh. ha

Yeah, and I've tried moving my mic where I had mentioned before and it did sound a bit warmer and fuzzy, but that was months ago, thought I'd try it again. Ever since I got my tone together and went to recording straight on the cone, whoo... it sounds great. Guess I'm just gonna hafta double track, whatever. Thanks again Binnerscot. (Hope it helped the threadstarter too haha)

Hijack over!