Favorite Mic/Cabinet Combos

[dapeegoo]

So I've had a my Torpedo CAB for a couple weeks now, and I am really loving the EL34 sim + Voice 65 cab with either a Condenser 87 or Ribbon 160 since they give me a really nice warm balanced sound.

I noticed that the Ribbon 121 sounds way too dark and unusable on any of the cabinets. This is one of the holy grail microphones, but this simulation doesn't produce an accurate reproduction of it. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[fearhk213]

I hear you about the 121. Every time I try it in a high gain rhythm setting it always ends up clouding up the tone, so I abandon it. In all honesty, I've yet to find an IR with a 121 that I didn't feel the same way about, though. I have the VB-101, so I've tried blending it with a 57 that many do to add weight to the 57, but I still feel like it makes the tone cloudy. I have had some luck with it on some clean tones using the U87 close and the 121 as a room mic, but I don't remember what cab or settings I used.

I like the Angl VintC the best for the types of tones I go for, and it seems to play nice with more mic combinations. In no particular order, I've had luck with the 57, 57+421, U87, 160, and U87+160 on that cab. I also find the U87 and 160 the most balanced and warm with the least fiddling around. The 57 can too, but it takes more effort and really benefits from the "overload" parameter, which I'm not sure is in the CAB or Live. Also, the Brit Std can sound really cool with the U87, but you have to be careful with amp settings and mic placement because it's prone to being bass heavy and boomy.

 

[dapeegoo]

So far, the Ribbon 160 and Condenser 87 have been my favorite. The Ribbon 160 rolls off more treble, which sound great for brighter Vox amps. The Condenser 87 is great for getting a brighter and boomy sound. I'm still looking for the best combo. Would to hear other people's thoughts.

 

[se7en]

So I've had a my Torpedo CAB for a couple weeks now, and I am really loving the EL34 sim + Voice 65 cab with either a Condenser 87 or Ribbon 160 since they give me a really nice warm balanced sound.

I noticed that the Ribbon 121 sounds way too dark and unusable on any of the cabinets. This is one of the holy grail microphones, but this simulation doesn't produce an accurate reproduction of it. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Have you ever used a Royer 121 before? Just curious. They are not considered dark for a ribbon, but yes are flatter than say a condenser. They are unhyped. Without EQ they won't give you a superforward sound, but they respond well to EQ adjustments (especially in the high end) as the detail is still there, just not boosted to the front. I would try setting it up about a foot back instead of right on the cab, as this will open it up. EQ to taste.

 

[dapeegoo]

So I've had a my Torpedo CAB for a couple weeks now, and I am really loving the EL34 sim + Voice 65 cab with either a Condenser 87 or Ribbon 160 since they give me a really nice warm balanced sound.

I noticed that the Ribbon 121 sounds way too dark and unusable on any of the cabinets. This is one of the holy grail microphones, but this simulation doesn't produce an accurate reproduction of it. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Have you ever used a Royer 121 before? Just curious. They are not considered dark for a ribbon, but yes are flatter than say a condenser. They are unhyped. Without EQ they won't give you a superforward sound, but they respond well to EQ adjustments (especially in the high end) as the detail is still there, just not boosted to the front. I would try setting it up about a foot back instead of right on the cab, as this will open it up. EQ to taste.

In the CAB, I am tried to use the Ribbon 121 in the center at 0 and distance at 10 with no EQ and it sounds way too dark. I haven't messed with the EQ settings since I have some basic EQ settings on my preamp.

 

[djd100]

The Torpedo's R121 is quite a bit darker than any R121 that I have used, though of course all ribbons have a lot of proximity so you often have to move them back a bit.

This might be due to the particular mic used, or the particular mic preamp etc, but certainly use the EQ to brighten it up which is a common practice with ribbons in general.

Have you ever used a Royer 121 before? Just curious. They are not considered dark for a ribbon, but yes are flatter than say a condenser. They are unhyped. Without EQ they won't give you a superforward sound, but they respond well to EQ adjustments (especially in the high end) as the detail is still there, just not boosted to the front. I would try setting it up about a foot back instead of right on the cab, as this will open it up. EQ to taste.