software

I'll imagine the SM 57 is a no brainer,but what other mic's......Condenser mic with a SM 57 etc? For recording onto tape here at home?

for playing live shows I always...ALWAYS use a 57 and always have


Originally Posted by the guy who invented firefor playing live shows I always...ALWAYS use a 57 and always have

Sorry....I should have specified for recording at home onto my Tascam 488 Mk2 tracker...My bad!

Try all kinds of dynamic mic's that you have, right up against the grill and experiment with axis placement (but you're right, the SM57 is the de-facto standard, and nothing really sounds as good.) Simultaneously grab an FET or tube condenser and set it up a few feet away from the cabinet and blend the two mic's together. Move it around until you get the sound you want. It can make for some hugely fat tones! If you don't have a nice condenser, you can still achieve the desired effect with another dynamic mic, like an SM58, which almost sound like condensers anyway, or even Sennheiser 421's amp; 441's, although a bit beefy. Just try anything! A sorta-famous guitar player friend of mine actually once recorded a guitar track using a speaker for a microphone (it's a long story - in principal they do the same thing - but regardless, it worked)!

PS: If you play waaay loud and your condenser mic has a -10db switch...use it :-)


Originally Posted by GoManoTry all kinds of dynamic mic's that you have, right up against the grill and experiment with axis placement (but you're right, the SM57 is the de-facto standard, and nothing really sounds as good.) Simultaneously grab an FET or tube condenser and set it up a few feet away from the cabinet and blend the two mic's together. Move it around until you get the sound you want. It can make for some hugely fat tones! If you don't have a nice condenser, you can still achieve the desired effect with another dynamic mic, like an SM58, which almost sound like condensers anyway, or even Sennheiser 421's amp; 441's, although a bit beefy. Just try anything! A sorta-famous guitar player friend of mine actually once recorded a guitar track using a speaker for a microphone (it's a long story - in principal they do the same thing - but regardless, it worked)!

PS: If you play waaay loud and your condenser mic has a -10db switch...use it :-)

Thanks GM....Actually I don't currently own any mics unless I borrow from my drummer etc...I'd like to buy my own and I'm basically asking what to buy? I was leaning towards an SM 57 and a condenser mic...Probably not sure on the condenser mic basically?

My bad!

I have had good results recording guitar amps with several mics...again, the SM57 is a standard...I have also used with good results...

-Coles 4038
-EV 644
-Sennheiser 409
-Sennheiser 609
-Sennheiser 421
-Sennheiser 441
-Neumann km86
-Royer R-121
-Beyer M160
-Beyer M260
-Beyer M500
-Oktava ML52-02

MXL condensors are surprisingly good for micing cabs and not too pricey.
If your recorder or mic preamps don't do phantom power, you'll either need to get an external phantom power supply ($$) or use condensor mics that can run off batteries.

I have been using a sennheiser 421, I like it a whole lot better than the shure 57. Just a better sounding mic - a bit more pricey as well.

Try out a 57 and a 421 mixed, if the 57 isn't enough for you. An Audix i5 can also kick ass inplace of a 57. It sounds a bit more open. If you want to get a huge low end to dial in with the mix, a kick mic like an Audix D6 can work very well.


Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97Thanks GM....Actually I don't currently own any mics unless I borrow from my drummer etc...I'd like to buy my own and I'm basically asking what to buy? I was leaning towards an SM 57 and a condenser mic...Probably not sure on the condenser mic basically?

I'd suggest you snag the 57, and if you're uncertain about which condenser to buy (there are many, and can get seriously pricey) you absolutely cannot go wrong with MXL mics. They are very inexpensive and the ones I have sound great. For guitar just a simple MXL V-63 (about $75) or better still, the 2001 (about $100, I think) you'll have scored. You can us ether MXL mic for vocals too, and they'll sound quite good. The following chain would be unbeatable for people in terms of recording guitar and vocals:

Dynamic Microphone: Shure SM57
Conenser Microphone: Marshall / MXL V-63, 2001, V-67 amp; more, Rode NT1 (Australian mic manufacturer who makes some KILLER mic's; this one for aorund $200), ANY SE MIC, Audio Technica 4047SE (about $500 - well worth it) and an external pre: The JoeMeek Vc3.

I use the Sennheiser e609 flat up on the grill and a efw feet away an Audio Technica condenser and the blend is sweet.

I'm going to try the Sm57 and SM58 closeup and the MXL V63 amp; V69ME and also the AKG c3000B a few feet away. I've actually tried the SM57 and AKG C3000B already together for a test and wow did they sound good. Recorded my Vox AD60VTX with them.

57's are a given, and try a Rhode's condensor. You can find em used for about 100 bucks.