Affordable Mic For Bass Cab?

[dBChad]

Used Sennheiser e609

 

[groovaholic]

I think that's gonna be the key: "If you can find..."

Seems like it's gonna be searching for a needle in a haystack.

True - people “in the know” snapped up a lot of the PVM 520s when they could be had for $50...same story with the ATM25.

OP might just need to see what used mics are available in his budget and then research what would work best for mic’ing his cab.

Guitar Center’s used listings and Music Go Round’s website are good resources - and as lately as yesterday, both have used Audix D4’s for less than $100

 

[JimmyM]

True - people “in the know” snapped up a lot of the PVM 520s when they could be had for $50...same story with the ATM25.

OP might just need to see what used mics are available in his budget and then research what would work best for mic’ing his cab.

Guitar Center’s used listings and Music Go Round’s website are good resources - and as lately as yesterday, both have used Audix D4’s for less than $100

D4 looks like it could be good. I'd say between that and the AKG P2, those are your best bets for low budget mics good for bass.

 

[Ender_rpm]

I've had an Audix D4 for years, great mic, but at $150 possibly over budget. If you're using the amp and mic for mids and highs, any of the standard dynamic instrument mics would probably work. I have a 57 and a pair of e906s, I want to grab an i5 at some point, even a spare vocal mic may add an interesting character. Have fun and experiment.

 

[AndyPanda]

This is a little over your $100 budget but I was really pleased. I compared it against a shure SM7b (not an SM57 ... SM7B broadcast mic) and of course the shure is a bit better for 3 times the price but the MXL was very impressive for a low price. It's not a condenser mic no batteries nor phantom power required. It does need a fair bit of clean gain on the preamp but doesn't need as much gain as the Shure did.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OCD73M

 

[Gizmot]

You can buy a mic for $100 that will work well. If I was looking for that, I would go with either a large diaphragm condenser (like the AKG P2 someone mentioned) or a large diaphragm dynamic (like an AKG D112, EV RE 20, RE 320). There is a noticeable difference between a large diaphragm mic and a mid or small diaphragm mic for bass.

 

[FatBoutedGirls]

I use a Sennheiser e602 II for recording bass cabs live and in the studio and love it. Got it used for ~$100

 

[JimmyM]

You can buy a mic for $100 that will work well. If I was looking for that, I would go with either a large diaphragm condenser (like the AKG P2 someone mentioned) or a large diaphragm dynamic (like an AKG D112, EV RE 20, RE 320). There is a noticeable difference between a large diaphragm mic and a mid or small diaphragm mic for bass.

Slight correction...P2 is a dynamic, not condenser...no phantom power needed. The EV mics are awesome but pretty expensive, and the D112 is a much better bass drum mic than a bass mic, unless you're a fan of mid scoops.

 

[agedhorse]

Be aware that at higher volumes, it's quite possible to overload a LDC on both electric bass as well as kick drum. The nominal maximum level decreases as frequency falls.

 

[agedhorse]

Slight correction...P2 is a dynamic, not condenser...no phantom power needed. The EV mics are awesome but pretty expensive, and the D112 is a much better bass drum mic than a bass mic, unless you're a fan of mid scoops.

The D112 (for live applications) isn't a great kick drum mic either IMO. It's so heavily voiced and under-damped that while flattering under some conditions is quite unusable under others.

 

[JimmyM]

The D112 (for live applications) isn't a great kick drum mic either IMO. It's so heavily voiced and under-damped that while flattering under some conditions is quite unusable under others.

Not going to argue that by any means.

 

[Gizmot]

Slight correction...P2 is a dynamic, not condenser...no phantom power needed. The EV mics are awesome but pretty expensive, and the D112 is a much better bass drum mic than a bass mic, unless you're a fan of mid scoops.

Yeah - I screwed up. I got it confused with the AKG Perception 220, sometimes called the P220. I’ve got a couple of those laying around. If I ever use a mic, I use an AKG C414B-XLS.

 

[byacey]

The D112 (for live applications) isn't a great kick drum mic either IMO. It's so heavily voiced and under-damped that while flattering under some conditions is quite unusable under others.

Mud, is how I describe them. If you want any click / snap out of a kick, a D112 isn't the mic for you.

 

[byacey]

If I ever use a mic, I use an AKG C414B-XLS.

You have fine tastes, but a 414 isn't in the $100 price range.

 

[Balog]

Mud, is how I describe them. If you want any click / snap out of a kick, a D112 isn't the mic for you.

I don’t have experience with the D112, but when I want click / snap out of a kick I put a SM57 or something aimed across the face of the kick where the beater hits in addition to the traditional “kick mic in the rear” thing. Then just aggressively eq each so they only deal with what they deal with.

 

[bassbrad]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is my favorite mic to use for bass cabs, bass drums and high volume, low frequency content instruments. These regularly get put on Labor Day Specials at Musicians Friend so keep an eye out this weekend.

 

[cnltb]

SM57 or a TSM 411 Very similar to the 57 but less expensive

less expensive than an sm 57?!

 

[beans-on-toast]

There is a microphone database below:

Microphone Database | RecordingHacks.com


The Telefunken M82 is $399. Good low end capture mic for bass cabinets. Not way expensive.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M82--telefunken-m82-dynamic-kick-drum-mic

You put a lot of money into your rig and time into your playing ability. Do you want to make the mic the weakest link in your chain? The least expensive mic is not the best solution.

 

[dan1952]

SM57
Done, easy and cheap.

 

[Gizmot]

You have fine tastes, but a 414 isn't in the $100 price range.

That's correct