Microphone for my combo amp?

futbol1097 · #1 03-20-2008, 07:54 AM

I'm working on some home recording and needed advice on microphone's for my Laney combo bass amp. I have a Shure SM57 and a condenser KSM27. Is there another mic in the 57's price range that will work well specifically for bass? My Laney does have a direct input option but I haven't been able to get a good sound doing that. I just acquired a Motu Ultralite interface so am anxious to start recording.
I have received recommendations for a ribbon mic (specifically the Cascade Fat Head). Just wondering what recommendations you have that will either complement my SM57 (use two mics) or take its place.

-R

AxtoOx · #2 03-20-2008, 09:06 AM

I use an SM57 for both live and recording for kick drums, and Marshall amps. My Bass I DI.
It's a classic and has been around for years as the go to instrument mic. I'd stick w/ the 57.

Unless you can DI.

futbol1097 · #3 03-20-2008, 09:13 AM

Thanks - looks like I posted in the wrong forum. How do I move thread to Recording Gear and Equipment?

hunta · #4 03-20-2008, 10:33 AM

You're going to have to spend more than $100 (unless you get lucky on some used mic) if you want to get a decent bass mic. AKG D112, EV RE-20, Audix D6 (I don't have one but I hear it's nice), Sennheiser MD421 is supposed to be nice too. The D6 is probably the cheapest of the bunch at ~$200 new. There are other options out there but those are all nice choices.

futbol1097 · #5 03-20-2008, 10:42 AM

FWIW I am looking at Used mics to keep costs down.

DocBop · #6 03-20-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I use an SM57 for both live and recording for kick drums, and Marshall amps. My Bass I DI.
It's a classic and has been around for years as the go to instrument mic. I'd stick w/ the 57.

Unless you can DI.

SM57 is a great mic' for amp's and many other things. I would get a DI and then record both. The DI will give you a good clear/clean note and the mic will give you warmth. Also that offers lots of EQ and processing options.

Rob Mancini · #7 03-20-2008, 01:33 PM

Yeah why not just stick with the 57? My other favorite bass mic is an EV RE-20, but it's $400.

Nick Kay · #8 03-20-2008, 01:45 PM

Worry about a good DI first. Even if you mic up the amp in addition to DI-ing to a good preamp, I find I use the DI track in much higher proportion than the mic track. If you already have a usable DI, I'm a big fan of the Sennheiser MD421, but it's not exactly on the inexpensive side of dynamic mics. The Audix D4 and D6 are also pretty cool on bass, if you ask me. If you're capturing dirty sounds, go with the SM57 and mix it with the DI track to fill the bottom out.

hunta · #9 03-20-2008, 01:50 PM

+1 for blending the signal. Any mic by itself is not usually the sound you want with bass.

fedebass · #10 03-20-2008, 02:08 PM

I agree on blending the signal. A mic on the amp is cool but it's not enough to get what you want (and a good rig is necessary). A good DI could go by itself but not the way around.
The 57 is definitely a good workhorse mic although you might want to try a microphone with a larger diaphragm like the D112, the Shure Beta52, Sennheiser E602 etc.
Although, if you wanna save some money, stick with the 57 and you'll be fine.
Try different mic placements and see what you like best.

Rob Mancini · #11 03-20-2008, 02:17 PM

No offense but the D112 and all kick mics are the exact opposite of what I'm looking for in a bass mic. I also disagree that blending a mic with DI is the only way to go. I really like a mic by itself. Sometimes a DI can be too pristine. I guess it depends on your sonic goals, but sometimes a DI takes all the heaviness from the tone.

peterpalmieri · #12 03-20-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futbol1097

I'm working on some home recording and needed advice on microphone's for my Laney combo bass amp. I have a Shure SM57 and a condenser KSM27. Is there another mic in the 57's price range that will work well specifically for bass? My Laney does have a direct input option but I haven't been able to get a good sound doing that. I just acquired a Motu Ultralite interface so am anxious to start recording.
I have received recommendations for a ribbon mic (specifically the Cascade Fat Head). Just wondering what recommendations you have that will either complement my SM57 (use two mics) or take its place.

-R

I hope you don't take offense, but it's not like you have vintage B15 or some other killer rig that warrants micing. Get a decent DI and call it a day.

futbol1097 · #13 03-20-2008, 02:45 PM

Ha. No offense - I don't mind a cheaper rig and a few extra bucks in my pocket, esp. when my fanbase is a dog and some kitchen appliances.

Thanks for the feedback - I didn't think of trying DI and mic'ing with the SM57. Hopefully the Motu preamps will do the trick on the DI side - haven't used the interface since I just go it. Are there any tricks to getting a good blend? I want some distortion on the bass - thinking of using Keeley modded Boss BD-2 pedal for this.

fedebass · #14 03-20-2008, 02:57 PM

It's cool if you don't like the D112 etc., but you also have to consider the frequency response of the various mics (the diagram with no text is the D112. First time I try to upload files so I hope they look ok.

projectMalamute · #15 03-20-2008, 03:20 PM

Those response plots illustrate why I don't care for either of those mics. The D112 has got a scooped thing going on and the 57 has very lean bass and some ugliness up high.

I've been using an older AT4033 around the house lately. Not known as a go to bass amp mic but it sounds pretty good. I got it used for 200 bucks. Word on the street is that the new ones(4033cl) are pretty much the same thing.

Rob Mancini · #16 03-20-2008, 04:47 PM

I don't consider that weak bass in the 57. At least it doesn't come across that way on a recording. And yeah, the high end gets a wild shot, but the average 10" shelfs ar 5k, so the high end boost on the mic doesn't really get involved.

Lelander · #17 03-20-2008, 04:54 PM

DI, DI, DI.

That being said, there are couple of engineers I know who have recorded many very popular artists over the years at a certain world class studio in Hollywood. These are artist that you have definitely heard on your radio, and you have definitely heard vintage rigs recorded using an SM 57. There ain't nothing wrong with that mic for recording a bass amp, especially when there are budged constraints and you already own one.

bassbrad · #18 03-21-2008, 09:53 AM

First off I agree with the DI crowd, always the 1st good place to start. You don't have even to spend big bucks because even a passive budget box will get the job done.
As far as a mic goes I am getting really nice results with a CAD KBM 412 mic that I got for $49 bucks to use for bass drum and bass amp. You should also get decent results with mixing a SM-57 close and the condenser 2-3 feet away.