Mic for recording cab

[Smash]

I have a rode k2 that is really good for vocals and acoustic, but i kinda want something for just micing the cab.

Should i just go with sm57, or is there something else I should be looking at?

 

[Deleted member 55483]

Hot take but I like sure sm7b way more

 

[Smash]

Hot take but I like sure sm7b way more

I liked it a lot too. I sold it eventually. The biggest problem is that it is so quiet. Even 112 dbs and i felt it needed a pre amp

 

[TheGreatGreen]

SM57, SM58, SM7B are all excellent choices.

If it was my money and I was starting a mic collection, I’d start with the staples and eventually move to the more exotic stuff if I felt like branching out, but yeah it’s hard to go wrong with the SM series.

 

[Deleted member 55483]

I liked it a lot too. I sold it eventually. The biggest problem is that it is so quiet. Even 112 dbs and i felt it needed a pre amp

Oh yeah you need a cloud lifter or the equivalent

The new sm7db has a preamp built in

 

[BeZo]

sE Electronics voodoo series ribbon mic.
I have the VR1 and absolutely love it on cabs. It has extended presence over most ribbon mics and sound pretty neutral in the right spot. It makes guitar sound like I hear it the the room.

 

[Smash]

sE Electronics voodoo series ribbon mic.
I have the VR1 and absolutely love it on cabs. It has extended presence over most ribbon mics and sound pretty neutral in the right spot. It makes guitar sound like I hear it the the room.

That's quite the fucking endorsement

 

[ZEN Amps]

I have a rode k2 that is really good for vocals and acoustic, but i kinda want something for just micing the cab.

Should i just go with sm57, or is there something else I should be looking at?

Man I can't encourage you enough to start with a simple 57 setup. Mess around with placement (including angle and distance) until you find some sweet spots. You may get 100% of what you need from it.

If not you can try blending in some of that K2 to fill out the sound a bit. I like using a 421, 906, VR1 or maybe an i5 for that role - but have never have much luck using one of them as the primary mike.

 

[Smash]

Man I can't encourage you enough to start with a simple 57 setup. Mess around with placement (including angle and distance) until you find some sweet spots. You may get 100% of what you need from it.

If not you can try blending in some of that K2 to fill out the sound a bit. I like using a 421, 906, VR1 or maybe an i5 for that role - but have never have much luck using one of them as the primary mike.

The k2 gives a great in the room sound, but just so distant. I need an in your face sound. The 57 is probably the one

 

[Brandonrz]

57 is the standard.

 

[ZEN Amps]

The k2 gives a great in the room sound, but just so distant. I need an in your face sound. The 57 is probably the one

Ok yeah cool, then a blend may work well.

If the mikes are equidistant from the speaker you probably won't have much of a phase cancellation issue. If you like the k2 further back then (assuming you're using a DAW) you can delay the 57 a little. It's not much - rule of thumb is 1ms/foot - but it's worth experimenting with.

 

[fearhk213]

Definitely give the SM57 a shot.

Edit: Just to add, the OC18 is a freaking monster on guitar cabs too. It's good enough to be a single source mic for guitar cabs and also blends well with a 57. It's not cheap, though. However, I'd still start with the SM57 as a first mic specifically for guitar cabs.

 

[dcburn mk.ii]

57 and a 421.

 

[DanTravis62]

57 and a 421.

This.

I would get, in order

1. a nice 57
2. a 421
3. a second 57
4. one of the various nice ribbon mics, like a royer r10 or a royer 121

 

[DanTravis62]

I would add that an audix I5 and an sm7b are both great too, but I would get the mics i mentioned above first

 

[dcburn mk.ii]

This.

I would get, in order

1. a nice 57
2. a 421
3. a second 57
4. one of the various nice ribbon mics, like a royer r10 or a royer 121

You aren’t wrong!
My comment was for basic every day mics that sound great.

I’ve used some really nice mics when I was in school, but prices on some of those are ridiculous.

But especially a 57, you can do so much with.

Shit, my favorite recordings of kick drums I ever did was a beta with a 57.
Get the thump of the beta and mix with the high end and clarity of a 57 was something I loved.

57 great workhorse mic and a great price.

 

[dcburn mk.ii]

3. a second 57

Love it!

 

[DanTravis62]

Love it!

Seriously though, learning your way around 2 57s, and all the crazy stuff you can do to change the tone is essential for learning to mic electric guitar

The fredman clip/tone is mandatory nowadays

 

[dcburn mk.ii]

Seriously though, learning your way around 2 57s, and all the crazy stuff you can do to change the tone is essential for learning to mic electric guitar

The fredman clip/tone is mandatory nowadays

In all honesty Dan, I’ve never used two 57’s at once, if we are talking about micing cabs?

I’ve used multiples on kits though.

 

[DanTravis62]

In all honesty Dan, I’ve never used two 57’s at once, if we are talking about micing cabs?

I’ve used multiples on kits though.

Try it!!! It's going to blow your mind

57s are already really versatile, but two of them gives you exponentially more options