Just got a MD 421. Slight lack in high freqs?

[grobe]

This is a continuation from another thread where I planned on recording direct + mic.

Another mic question


First of all- You guys weren't kidding when you I wouldn't need to add DI. The bass is phenomenal. I use the mic with zero bass roll-off, which I guess is the right way for mic'ing a bass cab. I think it actually sounds a little worse with the DI track added in there.

Anyways, I'm concerned about the lack of high freqs with the MD 421. Is this to be expected? Just sounds slightly muffled above 2khz. I've tried to mix in a high shelf boost but it sounds kind of hollow when i do that.

Any suggestions? Where can I try adding some more highs?


Right now I'm using a MIM 60's Jazz>Radial Bassbone>Ampeg B2-RE (with graphic EQ)>Aguilar GS112 (with tweeter off).

[MrDOS]

Did you buy the mic used? Mics left out can roll off highs over time.

However, I don't think these ears would hear it recording bass guitar through a 12.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by grobe

Anyways, I'm concerned about the lack of high freqs with the MD 421. Is this to be expected? Just sounds slightly muffled above 2khz. I've tried to mix in a high shelf boost but it sounds kind of hollow when i do that.

Any suggestions? Where can I try adding some more highs?

Right now I'm using a MIM 60's Jazz>Radial Bassbone>Ampeg B2-RE (with graphic EQ)>Aguilar GS112 (with tweeter off).

Is your cab adequately producing frequencies above 2 Khz? You know, the tweeter is the only thing in that cab that will give you the highs you're missing above 2 Khz. The mic is just reproducing what it hears. Turn the tweeter up.

Take a look at the specs for the GS112NT. See anything interesting? I gave you a little hint.

GS 112 NT

This cabinet is the same as the GS 112, but has no tweeter. Makes a great extension cabinet for the GS 112. Also perfect for upright bass and electric bass with an "old-school" vibe. Handles 300 watts RMS.

Specs

One 12" cast frame woofer, 56 oz. magnet

Power handling: 300 watts

Impedance: 8 ohms

One Neutrik Speakon and two 1/4" inputs

Frequency response: 42 Hz to 2 kHz

Sensitivity: 95 dB 1W 1M

Heavy-duty spring loaded handle

Interlocking corners

Dimensions: 14"H x 19"W x 18"D

7-ply, void free Philippine mahogany

Weight: 39 lbs.

Warranty: Three year limited

Optional: Padded Cover

[sonic assassin]

yea, i use the same mic on many guitars, lead vocals and kick drums. plenty of bite, clarity and attack, respectively. id say its the cab.

[fokof]

Try a DI

(Joking)

[grobe]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Is your cab adequately producing frequencies above 2 Khz? You know, the tweeter is the only thing in that cab that will give you the highs you're missing above 2 Khz. The mic is just reproducing what it hears. Turn the tweeter up.

Thanks for this. That makes perfect sense. But why does the cab sound much better live than through the mic?

I don't expect that anything is wrong with the mic. I bought it used from a studio (reputable ebay seller). I sorta doubt that it is the mic itself, but that is just a guess of course.

So what kind of cabs are you guys recording in the studio? 10" speakers?

Originally Posted by fokof

Try a DI

(Joking)

lmao

[seamonkey]

For a mic to hear the same thing that you do, it needs to be more omnidirectional than cardioid. Close micing a multi-driver cabinet that has a crossover doesn't work with just a single mic. Back that mic up to the other side of the room if you want it to have a better chance of picking up the whole cabinet, highs and lows.

Truth is mics are getting less and less usage in studios. They're too much work.

[grobe]

Yeah, no big deal. I wasn't planning on recording with the tweeter on anyways. I just turn it on occasionally for slap styles. When I asked why does it sound better live, I meant the sound in general. The cab sounds great to me with the tweeter OFF despite having only 2Khz upper range. Close-mic'ing the cab seems to exploit the cab's limitations. Is that normal?

Will post a clip asap. I'm having fun with this. Trust me.

[fokof]

Originally Posted by grobe

Thanks for this. That makes perfect sense. But why does the cab sound much better live than through the mic?

IMHO & IME it is impossible to capture exactly a cab.
It's always a "close but no cigar" situation

A cab will radiate 360° in your room creating a specific sound for that acoustic/amp combo. Only one mike in front of it will not capture what you hear , even with a room mike , you will still be missing a lot of data.
Then it will be reproduce by a pair of speakers wich themselves will color and also take in consideration your room acoustics with these reference.
The only way way would be in an Anacoïc chamber .

If you want to capture what you hear , try a pair of carioid placed in ORTF at your ears height.
If you prefer what you hear than what's out in front of the cab , it probably means you like what the room acoustic is doing to your cab sound.
Move around considering your ears are microphone and check for the sweet spot.

[prd004]

I routinely mix a DI with a 421 only I use the bass rolloff one or two notches depending on how the room/amp are sounding. But I have never had a lack of high end

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by grobe

Close-mic'ing the cab seems to exploit the cab's limitations. Is that normal?

for one, im rarely ON the grill. im at least 2 inches off. dont need proximity effect muddying up my track.

while it DOESNT sound like your entire cab (and there are ways to capture THAT sound), it doesnt sound bad if done well. most of the bass you hear on recording is either DI (gross) or close single miced. a good mic, a good cab, and a good amp can sound just fine about an inch from the speaker. put your head down there and then EQ your amp. make sure you listen to it in mono. hear what the mic will hear, and then get crackin.

[MrTAteMyBalls]

also, if you havent figured this out yet the mic will sound DRASTICALLY different depending on mic placement on the speaker. Typically a mic pointed dead on at the middle of the cone will give you more brightness. As you move it out to the edges it gets warmer and thumpier. The angle of the mic is also important as a 45 degree angle sounds different that straight on.

Get on the ground and put your ear in front of the speaker. This is the sound that your mic will capture. It's usually a lot different sound than when you are standing up and are 5 or 6 feet from the amp.