Advice on live Mic

[robbotbass]

I've been using a d112 to mic my Hartke 4x10 cab. Although I'm happy with the sound, it's still a little to boomy and muddy in the mix. I also give the front of house my direct out and they blend the 2. However, I'm wondering if there are any other mic choices anyone eles use to master their sound? I've heard the B52 works well, but again still to much boom for me.

[MuzikMan]

I wouldn't use those kick drum mics. They have a preset EQ curve that cuts out a lot of mids. That's why you are hearing all boom. Since you are blending a DI signal you could use something like a Sennheiser e609 silver or a sure SM57 to send the true character of the speaker you are micing to the board and mix in additional lows with the DI signal.

[Doctor Dirt]

The D112 is really for Kick drum I know its used on bass but its not that versitile. Try rolling of some bass on the eq or go to the channel and roll some off there to try and get rid of the mud. I'm not up on the current mic applications but you can't go wrong with a Syn. 421. That setting dial is great for all kinds of applications and their built to last. One of the best mics ever produced. Doc

[Jimbob Jones]

I don't like the D112, but I've had great results with a Beta 52. When blended with DI, I love the sound of a 57, or (surprisingly) a Beta 58. 421 is a great mic, but pricey...if you're looking in that range, then you may as well go Heil or EV.

[JimmyM]

Heil PR40, EV RE20, Sennheiser 421...best cab mics for live on the market IMHO.

[robbotbass]

Stupid question what about a SM58? Anyone ever try this old stand by? Any Luck?

[robbotbass]

I've used a 57 before and I'm ok with that but then It seems I don't have enough low end. My drummer has some Sen 421 he mics his Toms with he said he would let me give them a go on my amp.

[JimmyM]

58 is great in conjunction with a DI for the lows.

[FullTime Tim]

RE 20 is great

Audix D4 sounds good for the money. (some like the D6, but I always think it lacks the right eq curve for bass cabs)

if you've got the channels and want the sound of just the cab, check out the Audio-Technica AE2500 (dual head goodness)

But often a DI and will give you the same results as the condenser side of this mic.

[TimmyP]

Pr40, RE20, D4 for the mic. A DI will give you lower frequencies than any cabinet can create, and without the high bass/low mid mud that most mics have.

[QweziRider]

I've been happy with the Sennheiser e609 for some time now.

[fokof]

Originally Posted by robbotbass

I've been using a d112 to mic my Hartke 4x10 cab. Although I'm happy with the sound, it's still a little to boomy and muddy in the mix.

Are you playing bass at the FOH position ?
Or mix onstage ?


I use the ATM25 on everything low frequency.

[FullTime Tim]

Originally Posted by fokof

I use the ATM25 on everything low frequency.

Yeah those were great. Wish they were still in production. They could do bass well, toms and even a guitar cab in a crunch.

[Bassoballs]

I use a Heil pr-40 in conjunction with a Reddi DI. The Reddi delivers really clean lows, while getting the mids and highs off of the cab.

[robbotbass]

Just a follow up went with the Senhiser 421 and I'm super happy with it! Granted it's just a 57 on roids it really does sound good on my Hydrive cab! I'm currently on the best bass sound I've had in years, just in time for my band of 8 years to break up. LOL live and learn.

As Always Jimmy you where dead on!

[Hellbastard]

Originally Posted by robbotbass

Granted it's just a 57 on roids it really does sound good...

Far from it, The MD 421 it offers a very flat frequency response for a dynamic microphone, while the SM57 is characteristic for heavily present comb filter effect on the High Frequencies.

[bassgod0dmw]

Another vote for a Heil PR40, and if you've got the money, and EV RE20. I use a PR40 myself and I'm very happy with it.

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by robbotbass

Stupid question what about a SM58? Anyone ever try this old stand by? Any Luck?

That's what I ask for for my clean signal . . . I also put a Sennheiser e609 silver on my distorted sgnal . . . . . .

[ulynch]

I've been reading a pile of mic threads here over the past weeks, trying to grok what makes a "good" bass amp mic. I'm sure a lot of it is musical context and personal taste, but other than that, are there certain characteristcs? Help me out here ...

It looks like dynamic mics are preferred over condenser ... is that because it's not always guaranteed you'll have phantom power?

I suppose a mic that handles a high spl is preferred. Any guidance here for loud rock?

My own thinking says that a really compact mic would be better just to save space on a tight stage, but then, I'm a clumsy ox. If I could hang a flat mic (rather than a stick-style mic ... "side-address"?) from the top of the cab, that would save me a lot of embarrassment when I trip over a mic stand What kind of options do I have to attach a mic to the cab?

I'm looking at frequency response curves for some of the recommended mics here, and I'm a bit confused. Jimmy made three recommendations that seem to be pretty widely accepted: Heil PR40, EV RE20, and Sennheiser 421. Here they are ...

Heil PR40


EV RE20


Sennheiser 421


All three have a fair amount of low frequency rolloff. Is that desirable to avoid boominess? Is it something you compensate for with FOH EQ? Or is it just a non-issue for some reason? Wouldn't a flatter low end response be better?

My sound has a good amount of mid and high freq content, so I'd want something with a pretty flat response ... I don't think a kick drum mic would appeal to me, but I can see why someone playing dub or reggae might like it. Because I'm not sure if I need to make an investment, I'm looking at lower cost alternatives. (Fine, I'm a cheapskate ) I'm thinking about the AKG P2. It's a hundred bucks new, compact, and has a really flat frequency curve.



Any opinions on this?




Thanks, TB!

[DuraMorte]

There's a lot more to a mic than it's frequency response. Cheap mics tend to fall apart/sound like crap when you push them hard. Good mics, on the other hand, tend to hold up better at high SPL's.