Microphone Placement On A 4/12 Cab
- Thread starter Far Rider
- Start date
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
For myself, a good starting reference is about 2 to 3 fingers gap between the mic and the speaker. Looking at it from the center to edge: if you go towards the cone its a brighter sound and more mids, moving to the edge of the speaker increases bass and lowers mids. So, try splitting the difference and work from there and see what you like. Same applies to the distance to the speaker: the mic closer to the speaker itself is more bassy and further lowers the bass.
If you find the high end is a lil too harsh no matter what? You can tilt the mic angle a lil ( no more than 45 degrees typically and it can lessen the highs). Normally your mic will be flat 90 degrees facing the speaker
Good luck!
If you find the high end is a lil too harsh no matter what? You can tilt the mic angle a lil ( no more than 45 degrees typically and it can lessen the highs). Normally your mic will be flat 90 degrees facing the speaker
Good luck!
I like this^^^^^^^^^^a lot.
If I’m mic’ing a slant cab, I usually wind up liking one of the lower speakers more than the uppers…but try them all…it’s likely that they will each sound a little different from the others.(even if they are the same model speakers—honest)
Not necessarily…they’ll be similar, but may have variances due to cab construction, and speaker variances due to manufacturing tolerances, age, elemental exposure…etc.
SG John
Ambassador of Cool Guitars and Amps.
It also depends on the mic. If it’s an SM57, Mike’s reference position is a good starting point. If it’s a Sennheiser e609/906 type, laying on the grill cloth at about two o’clock in the mid position of the speaker works well. Condenser and Ribbon mics, I’ll usually experiment in the 6-12” range from the speaker, and keep it off of the center of the cone.
Definitely an important note there^^^^^^^^^IIRC @Far Rider picked up a package deal on an interface with an Audio Technica condenser mic…?
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
Both really good points i forgot to mention! Force of habit, i just blurted out basic settings on a dynamic mic but yeah absolutely, if thats a condenser mic like mentioned? Scratch what I said @Far Rider , sorry!
In that respect, @SG John 's advice would be far better because that fact
In all honesty I was in SM57/Audix I5 autopilot mode too…and I just did remember the package deal he opted for.
Amp Mad Scientist
Ambassador of Heresy
The sweet spot is in (or on) the microphone.There's probably a million different opinions on this question, but if you were giving advice to a newbe to recording, is there a sweet spot to start at? All my cabs are closed back and have identical speakers (Celestions and Eminence).
The speaker has more low frequency at the edges, and more mid frequency at the middle.
But micing a guitar speaker at close range may not really be the ideal way since the microphone can overload from too much SPL.
Using a vocal mic may not be the most ideal method either...
67plexi
Ambassador of Amps
I'm just learning recording but for live shows my sound man Keith had me get a pair of Sennheiser e609 two amps
and places the mic 3" to 4" out from the voice coil slight angle. For recording will try a pair of AKG dual condenser's
I also have SM57 and Audix I5 at home I run a wet/dry/wet three amps sounds 3D
and places the mic 3" to 4" out from the voice coil slight angle. For recording will try a pair of AKG dual condenser's
I also have SM57 and Audix I5 at home I run a wet/dry/wet three amps sounds 3D
Jethro Rocker
Ambassador of Live & Loud Action
Since an SM57 can handle snare drums and ridiculously high SPL, the recording volume would be far less than that.
Max is like 190dB for a 57, literally....
AT condensor mics are around 140.
I think he is safe.
OP
Far Rider
Ambassador Of The Cataverse
All great information guys. Thank you. Like I said in my mini studio post, I wasn't going to invest a ton of money only to find out it's not my thing. The Audio-Technica mic is supposed to be good for everything (vocals, acoustic and electric). I certainly will not be pushing a lot of air because of a sick wife. So maybe it will work out.
Jethro Rocker
Ambassador of Live & Loud Action
It'll work great Far! Hope the wife is ok....
Silly question….do you have any other microphones at your disposal? If so, what might they be?
OP
Far Rider
Ambassador Of The Cataverse
I have a couple of cheapy mics that have the mini stereo plugs. Since they weren't compatible with the PreSonus inputs, I opted for that package deal.
Jethro Rocker
Ambassador of Live & Loud Action
I think those would be poo. The AT should be plenty
Yeah, Jethro covered the answer pretty well, above, I think. I just figured I’d ask…and see if you were holding out any vocal mic’s, drum mic’s, or whatever….sometimes the unconventional can be fun and cool for recording purposes.
OP
Far Rider
Ambassador Of The Cataverse
Like I said, newbe. I'm really excited to try this. My only problem to starting is this accursed season. Winter dries out my hands and causes my fingers to crack open. Fretting can be mighty painful as you can imagine.Yeah, Jethro covered the answer pretty well, above, I think. I just figured I’d ask…and see if you were holding out any vocal mic’s, drum mic’s, or whatever….sometimes the unconventional can be fun and cool for recording purposes.