Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar

Puffer Fish · 10-28-2009, 02:10 PM

Over the past number of years I have gotten into doing more recording. I was a sound man for years and while much of my live sound knowledge applies to the studio, it is really a different beast.

So if folks here have done some electric guitar amp recording and found sounds they especially liked from this mic or that, please share.

I have mic'ed my DSL401 with a Shure KSM44, Shure SM57 and a Rode NT5 (room mic). I was looking into ribbon microphones and a couple tube microphones. I do have a few different nice mic pres and some compressors I like. I am primarily interested in the microphones in this potential discussion. In fact I am sort of obessesing over microphones these days!

Especially the ribbon microphones.

BTW--I thought the SM57 sounded pretty good on the amp, but my KSM44 sounded just a little better. Couple the KSM44 with my NT5 as a room mic set back to get the room sound produced a pretty great electric guitar sound. If I never did anything else, I would still be happy with this set up. I am just searching for more ideas and am interested in other people's experiences.

JCMenace · 10-29-2009, 10:51 AM

Ive been loving the sound of my E609 combined with an SM57. very full and accurate.

wegman · 10-29-2009, 12:39 PM

I use a KSM 27 half way between the speaker cone and speaker edge at about 1 inch from the speaker grill. I find this placement to be pretty accurate. I like the KSM 27 because it has the bass roll off switch. I find where my cabinet is against the wall a bump in the 80 hz so I can roll that off with the switch. I don't have any pre-amps, so I go into my Mackie 24x8 console. Everything goes down to my Alesis Adat HD 24 digital recorder.

As stated the sound is pretty accurate.

I have not tried a 57 and that is something I have been meaning to try as that mic is pretty much a standard for recording live guitar. I find the KSM 27as a good all around mic for just about anything. The price I got on it was good to. I looked at the 44 but that was just right out. Great mic though.

Puffer Fish · 10-29-2009, 02:33 PM

Interesting. The Sennheiser has received a lot of great marks from folks. Is there much of a difference between the 609 and the 906? I know there is some sort of a bass roll off on the 906. Anything else?

The KSM 27 I am pretty certain is the same mic as the KSM 44 minus the extra polar patterns. If that is true, then the sound you get with the KSM 27 should be pretty much the same sound I am getting, because I almost always use the cardioid pattern

Has anyone checked out the Audix i5 for guitar amp? It is a pretty popular mic and I have heard some folks dumped their SM57 for i5 mics.

HOT TUBES 70 · 10-29-2009, 05:35 PM

try the ROYER R-121 the most incrdible mic i have ever heard !!!

00jett · 10-29-2009, 07:17 PM

Sennheiser 906 is awesome. I use it live and for recording.

Quote:

I know there is some sort of a bass roll off on the 906.

Its actually a presence switch that controls the high end of the mic. so one setting actually sounds like the 609 and then there is 2 others for other flavors.

Puffer Fish · 10-30-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOT TUBES 70

try the ROYER R-121 the most incrdible mic i have ever heard !!!

Have you heard any other ribbon mics? For example, any RCA/ AEA long ribbon style microphones? The Royer ribbon mics are a shorter ribbon, aren't they?

thrawn86 · 10-30-2009, 07:37 PM

For the coin, the SM57's are pretty good.

MartyStrat54 · 10-30-2009, 11:58 PM

For the money, I love my Oktava MK219 for live and recording. I have several Oktava mics and they all work really well.

Of course I have some "Sennies" and some Shure product as well. It's always fun to experiment.

HOT TUBES 70 · 10-31-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffer Fish

Have you heard any other ribbon mics? For example, any RCA/ AEA long ribbon style microphones? The Royer ribbon mics are a shorter ribbon, aren't they?

To be honest , my knowledge of mics is not that deep , but my cose friend
has a recording studio in Calgary , where he uses many different mics , and it
seems that the Royer gets used alot for guitar work , and many of his clients
ask for it during sessions etc , on the few tracks that i have recorded with it
the Royer just sounded bigger , fuller , warmer to me v/s a 57 or alike .

MartyStrat54 · 10-31-2009, 04:30 PM

Oh...I thought this was about mikes the average Joe could afford? Vintage ribbon mikes and old Neumann's are not to be found in my mike stash.

HOT TUBES 70 · 10-31-2009, 09:36 PM

yah !! your right , those Royer's are very expensive ! not the average mic found
at a small club gig !!

wkcchampion · 11-03-2009, 06:27 AM

Here are my two cents.
There's not a perfect mike for recording. Every mike does good in a certain context and does bad in another. It all depends on what you need and like to do. Placement and distance from the sepakers cone should also be taken in serious consideration.
e.g.: an SM57 gives a classic rock sound with presence if placed in front and on axis of the speakers, while putting it far give a more raunchy sound, think "Owner of a lonely art" by Yes, or some Blackmore like "Highway star".
The Sennheiser 421 is a bit softer and with more low end. A Good match for hi-gain amps, 2-3 cm off axis of the cone.

Also combinations are highly sought after... like an SM57 on axis and a 421 a bit off axis, in phase and panned in stereo... HUGE sound!

And if u have money, u can have a condenser mic for ambience, like an AKG 414, or use it directly to have a different sound. Just beware that condenser mikes usually can't bear the same decibels of dynamic ones

nofearfactor · 11-03-2009, 08:27 AM

I own several sm57s and one Beta58A. I use the 57s for guitar and the 58a for vocals,acoustic guitar,etc.

Mike_j · 11-10-2009, 09:27 PM

I use an SM57/Rode NT1 combination. Even though I'm recording a cranked 4x12 in a pretty "dead" sounding wardrobe, the NT1 still adds a brightness.

I've heard great things about Royer ribbon mics but can't afford one. Still learning the art of mic positioning.

Puffer Fish · 11-13-2009, 12:06 PM

I JUST picked up a Nady RSM-5 ribbon mic. It is supposed to be similar to a Royer 121 if you upgrade the output transformer... which I will do eventually. Honestly though, I did not pick it up because it is supposed to be the poor man's Royer, I got it because it is supposed to be a good example of a ribbon mic and the price was very good. With not putting out much $$$ I can justify spending some more on it eventually to upgrade the transformer and get more out of it.

Speaking of upgraded transformers, some folks have swapped out the tranny on their SM57s and thus got another mic flave out of the old standby. I might do that to one of my 57s in the next year or so just to add another mic to my collection. I made a personal vow not to pick up any more dynamic mics, so changing the transformer is a work-around!

And BTW--I was not worried about $$$ for folks to reply regarding their favorite guitar mics. I was really interested in hearing what different people on the forum have used and if there was anything that stood out or seemed to work best for them.

I agree with one post that there really is no one choice. That is why it is so good to hear everyone's experience on the matter.

My KSM44, SM57 and Rode NT5 room mic experience has been good. I think maybe I can do a little better. Sometimes the high-end gets fizzy through the condensers and sometimes the SM57 can sound a bit dull. So anyway, like I probably said earlier, I have a big desire to try out ribbon mics on guitar cabs. Now I will be able to do just that.

Another mic I saw online that really intrigues me is the KEL Audio HM-2D. If you get a chance and are looking for a different mic, check out their site. It seems like they are doing something different than all the other Chinese mic importers. I will probably pick one of these up eventually, but I have been on a recording gear buying spree lately and I am about tapped out.

rockinr0ll · 11-13-2009, 12:48 PM

SM57 is a good start but other options can work well too.

mario · 11-13-2009, 08:31 PM

The AKG Solid Tube is a cool mic! It's a large diaphram conderncer with a 12ax7 tube. It handles loud amps very well and has a lovely warm sound.

Puffer Fish · 11-14-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mario

The AKG Solid Tube is a cool mic! It's a large diaphram conderncer with a 12ax7 tube. It handles loud amps very well and has a lovely warm sound.

Do you find that the tube section of the condenser smooths out/ 'warms up' the brittleness of many Large diaphragm condensers? A tube condenser is not in my budget at this point, but it might be in a year or so. They do hold my interest.

StootMonster · 11-14-2009, 11:09 AM

Call me old school, call me cheap...

SM57's & SM58's will never leave my equipment bag.

mario · 11-14-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffer Fish

Do you find that the tube section of the condenser smooths out/ 'warms up' the brittleness of many Large diaphragm condensers? A tube condenser is not in my budget at this point, but it might be in a year or so. They do hold my interest.

Yes I think the tube helps with the warmth but then again its the only condenser I own so I cant really compare proberly. Other condensers to my ears like the Neuman U87 have more definition and crispy clear highs.

rockinr0ll · 11-14-2009, 08:09 PM

Man, those are some high dollar mics!

Lespaulnmarshall · 11-18-2009, 12:38 PM

The Sennheiser MD421II Dynamic Cardioid Microphone i own that one and i love it

10-28-2009, 02:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Puffer Fish Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 69	Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Over the past number of years I have gotten into doing more recording. I was a sound man for years and while much of my live sound knowledge applies to the studio, it is really a different beast. So if folks here have done some electric guitar amp recording and found sounds they especially liked from this mic or that, please share. I have mic'ed my DSL401 with a Shure KSM44, Shure SM57 and a Rode NT5 (room mic). I was looking into ribbon microphones and a couple tube microphones. I do have a few different nice mic pres and some compressors I like. I am primarily interested in the microphones in this potential discussion. In fact I am sort of obessesing over microphones these days! Especially the ribbon microphones. BTW--I thought the SM57 sounded pretty good on the amp, but my KSM44 sounded just a little better. Couple the KSM44 with my NT5 as a room mic set back to get the room sound produced a pretty great electric guitar sound. If I never did anything else, I would still be happy with this set up. I am just searching for more ideas and am interested in other people's experiences.

10-29-2009, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
JCMenace Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 26	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Ive been loving the sound of my E609 combined with an SM57. very full and accurate. __________________ JCM 900 SLX 2100 1960a w/ G-1275s '7? FENDER TWIN REVERB FRONT: Dunlop crybaby BOSS SD-1 BOSS MT-2 VOX SATCHURATOR LOOP: BOSS GE-7 MXR CARBON COPY GUITARS: '87 RG550 RFR =dimarzio tone zone '87 RG550 DY = dimarzio SUPER 3, AIR NORTON RGR420 = dimarzio FRED, PAF PRO '97 FENDER TELE = Seymour duncan hotrail '95 FENDER STRAT U.S.

10-29-2009, 12:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
wegman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 138	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar I use a KSM 27 half way between the speaker cone and speaker edge at about 1 inch from the speaker grill. I find this placement to be pretty accurate. I like the KSM 27 because it has the bass roll off switch. I find where my cabinet is against the wall a bump in the 80 hz so I can roll that off with the switch. I don't have any pre-amps, so I go into my Mackie 24x8 console. Everything goes down to my Alesis Adat HD 24 digital recorder. As stated the sound is pretty accurate. I have not tried a 57 and that is something I have been meaning to try as that mic is pretty much a standard for recording live guitar. I find the KSM 27as a good all around mic for just about anything. The price I got on it was good to. I looked at the 44 but that was just right out. Great mic though. __________________ Ian St Ian says "If your not playing Gibson and Marshall your a wanker!" Marshall JCM 800 2210 (1989) Marshall MG CD10 (hi guys!) Gibson Les Paul Custom (1981) Mackie 24x8 mixing console Alesis ADAT HD 24 digital recorder Shure KSM 27

10-29-2009, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Puffer Fish Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 69	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Interesting. The Sennheiser has received a lot of great marks from folks. Is there much of a difference between the 609 and the 906? I know there is some sort of a bass roll off on the 906. Anything else? The KSM 27 I am pretty certain is the same mic as the KSM 44 minus the extra polar patterns. If that is true, then the sound you get with the KSM 27 should be pretty much the same sound I am getting, because I almost always use the cardioid pattern Has anyone checked out the Audix i5 for guitar amp? It is a pretty popular mic and I have heard some folks dumped their SM57 for i5 mics.

10-29-2009, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 1,675	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar try the ROYER R-121 the most incrdible mic i have ever heard !!! __________________ MARSHALL 6100LM MARSHALL 1960A W/-G12H 30's CUSTOM BUILT 2X12 W/-V30's "MARSHALL" - only the best will do !

10-30-2009, 07:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
thrawn86 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Far Nor Cal USA Posts: 426	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar For the coin, the SM57's are pretty good. __________________ Drivin' faster in my car... 02 DSL 401-Ei's 02 1960b 02 Gibson LP Studio Silver 03 PRS Santana SE Holy Grail reverb Originally Posted by J. Robert Oppenheimer "We knew the world would not be the same."

10-30-2009, 11:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar For the money, I love my Oktava MK219 for live and recording. I have several Oktava mics and they all work really well. Of course I have some "Sennies" and some Shure product as well. It's always fun to experiment. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

10-31-2009, 04:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Oh...I thought this was about mikes the average Joe could afford? Vintage ribbon mikes and old Neumann's are not to be found in my mike stash. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

10-31-2009, 09:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 1,675	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar yah !! your right , those Royer's are very expensive ! not the average mic found at a small club gig !! __________________ MARSHALL 6100LM MARSHALL 1960A W/-G12H 30's CUSTOM BUILT 2X12 W/-V30's "MARSHALL" - only the best will do !

11-03-2009, 06:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
wkcchampion Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 144	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Here are my two cents. There's not a perfect mike for recording. Every mike does good in a certain context and does bad in another. It all depends on what you need and like to do. Placement and distance from the sepakers cone should also be taken in serious consideration. e.g.: an SM57 gives a classic rock sound with presence if placed in front and on axis of the speakers, while putting it far give a more raunchy sound, think "Owner of a lonely art" by Yes, or some Blackmore like "Highway star". The Sennheiser 421 is a bit softer and with more low end. A Good match for hi-gain amps, 2-3 cm off axis of the cone. Also combinations are highly sought after... like an SM57 on axis and a 421 a bit off axis, in phase and panned in stereo... HUGE sound! And if u have money, u can have a condenser mic for ambience, like an AKG 414, or use it directly to have a different sound. Just beware that condenser mikes usually can't bear the same decibels of dynamic ones

11-03-2009, 08:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
nofearfactor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hellbillyville Posts: 180	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar I own several sm57s and one Beta58A. I use the 57s for guitar and the 58a for vocals,acoustic guitar,etc. __________________ myspace- http://www.myspace.com/nofearfactor some gear pics- http://community.webshots.com/album/...ecurity=QbSaeN Last edited by nofearfactor; 11-03-2009 at 07:11 PM.

11-10-2009, 09:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mike_j Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 125	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar I use an SM57/Rode NT1 combination. Even though I'm recording a cranked 4x12 in a pretty "dead" sounding wardrobe, the NT1 still adds a brightness. I've heard great things about Royer ribbon mics but can't afford one. Still learning the art of mic positioning. __________________ "...the world is your oyster but your future's a clam..."

11-13-2009, 12:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
Puffer Fish Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 69	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar I JUST picked up a Nady RSM-5 ribbon mic. It is supposed to be similar to a Royer 121 if you upgrade the output transformer... which I will do eventually. Honestly though, I did not pick it up because it is supposed to be the poor man's Royer, I got it because it is supposed to be a good example of a ribbon mic and the price was very good. With not putting out much $$$ I can justify spending some more on it eventually to upgrade the transformer and get more out of it. Speaking of upgraded transformers, some folks have swapped out the tranny on their SM57s and thus got another mic flave out of the old standby. I might do that to one of my 57s in the next year or so just to add another mic to my collection. I made a personal vow not to pick up any more dynamic mics, so changing the transformer is a work-around! And BTW--I was not worried about $$$ for folks to reply regarding their favorite guitar mics. I was really interested in hearing what different people on the forum have used and if there was anything that stood out or seemed to work best for them. I agree with one post that there really is no one choice. That is why it is so good to hear everyone's experience on the matter. My KSM44, SM57 and Rode NT5 room mic experience has been good. I think maybe I can do a little better. Sometimes the high-end gets fizzy through the condensers and sometimes the SM57 can sound a bit dull. So anyway, like I probably said earlier, I have a big desire to try out ribbon mics on guitar cabs. Now I will be able to do just that. Another mic I saw online that really intrigues me is the KEL Audio HM-2D. If you get a chance and are looking for a different mic, check out their site. It seems like they are doing something different than all the other Chinese mic importers. I will probably pick one of these up eventually, but I have been on a recording gear buying spree lately and I am about tapped out.

11-13-2009, 12:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,340	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar SM57 is a good start but other options can work well too.

11-13-2009, 08:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
mario Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 27	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar The AKG Solid Tube is a cool mic! It's a large diaphram conderncer with a 12ax7 tube. It handles loud amps very well and has a lovely warm sound. __________________ JMP Lead 50w head (73) JMP PA 100W Moded for lead (73) JMP Organ 50w head (72) 1960a 4x12 cab with G12M Greenbacks

11-14-2009, 11:09 AM	#20 (permalink)
StootMonster Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Clover, SC Posts: 38	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Call me old school, call me cheap... SM57's & SM58's will never leave my equipment bag. __________________ LIBERATING A COUNTRY NEAR YOU!

11-14-2009, 08:09 PM	#22 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,340	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar Man, those are some high dollar mics!

11-18-2009, 12:38 PM	#23 (permalink)
Lespaulnmarshall Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 64	Re: Favorite Mic(s) for recording electric guitar The Sennheiser MD421II Dynamic Cardioid Microphone i own that one and i love it __________________ Marshall Vintage Modern Custom Build V30 Cabinet Fender Super Champ XD Gibson Les Paul Standard Fender Standard Stratocaster (Texas Specials) Let there be rock !

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