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Bass cabinet mic

xander8280

xander8280

Dec 29, 2011
463
4
#1
I know this has been talked about alot, but here's my question.
I tend to cut frequencies below 100Hz in recordings to give the kick drum some space and tighten the low end so I don't NEED mega lows.
Do SM57's get me some good space for a tone like that?
What is your favorite mic for recording, and/or live?
Why?

Thanks guys!
 
#3
I personally love my Shure SM7. The current model is SM7b. It gets a nice full sound that I feel is very true to what the amp puts out, no baked in EQ curve.

Incedentally it also does really well on vocal(one was reportedly used to record Thriller as well as a lot of the Aerosmith records) guitar, floor tom and funny enough makes a great hi hat mic. It doesn't seem quite as expensive once you start using in so many applications.
 
#6
xander8280 said:
I know this has been talked about alot, but here's my question.
I tend to cut frequencies below 100Hz in recordings to give the kick drum some space and tighten the low end so I don't NEED mega lows.
Do SM57's get me some good space for a tone like that?
What is your favorite mic for recording, and/or live?
Why?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

Yes, SM57s can get accomodate that kind of tone.

I prefer kick with attack to it so I have often used SM57s on them with good results. For my sound preferences, I would tune the kick a little higher and emphasize its attack and let the bass have the bottom end. I find that kicks tuned very low can be flabby and I don't like that sound very well. I prefer the bottom to come from the bass.

Of course, tastes and opinions vary. :)
 
#11
Floyd Eye said:
I just picked up an AKG P2. I like it very much. It accurately reproduces my rig.
Click to expand...
I was wondering about if you ever tried it. Looks like a killer bass cab mic for $100.

My faves:

EV RE-20
Heil PR40
Sennheiser MD421
Beyer M88
58 or 57 with a DI doing lows below 100hz if you can get two channels

And the P2 looks like a very cool budget mic, and Floyd says it's good so I'm down.
 
#13
This is my fave! RE20
 

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#14
I use a sm58 (not the beta the beta version is to hot)mainly to add midrange and air to my xlr signal but on our second album its all I used. I got the idea to use the 58 after reading that flea from the chili peppers used it on more than one occasion. I've tried 57s and they are great for more of a punk rock vibe but didn't sound as good with a 5 or detuned bass. Im definitely against using a beta52 or akg kick drum mic along with my xlr signal. Just way to much low end together. On their own though if you prefer ridiculous low end and less mids and just want to use a mic, a kick drum mic is good for like a Sevendust type of vibe. The 58 seems to roll off in just the right areas. It goes low enough that you don't have to use much if any post eq to get a tight focused sound. Makes the bass hit you in the chest instead of the stomach if you know what I mean.
 
#18
I dont like miking cabs with SM57,especially for live sound (too directional) it will sometimes only pickup highs or lows depending on its placement. This is also true for the RE20. which is way better for bass (but expensive) You have to place these properly. Plus the sm57 gives you a boost in the 3Khz range which is why it is used on countless rock tours and recordings. For a cheap solution for even sound without extra boost in the lows or highs I prefer sennheiser e609 especially for its price, $100 or so- (or the e906 if you prefer that sm57 sound with the boost at 3khz) It will give you a better example of the sound of the cabinet since it has a wider pickup pattern. Its made for close up micing of cabs. Just place it anywhere near the middle of one of your drivers. It is a way better example of 'your sound' since it has a very even freq curve. It also picks up freqs as low as 40Hz.


BTW - your thinking is a little backward on freq cutoff bass at 100Hz (unless you want that early 80's sound like Duran Duran or something) Usually todays techs will do the opposite to what you are doing to kick and bass - especially in live concerts. They cross over the kick drum at 80-100 then tighten the Q on the freqcurve to 100Hz and boost the hell out of it. This is what you hear on Steely Dan albums and Smooth Jazz, modern Reggae etc Albums. Your bass will be boosted at 60Hz slightly and will be recognizable against the kick and the kick will be nice and tight and punchy. For hard rock though everything is a little thick and boomy from 60-90Hz. Like all things sound this is a preference and obviously this is a generalization not always a standard practice. Live sound guys will use this practice more often than you think though. Its a huge efficiency booster to your power amps and a saver on your woofers also. You can get the loudness you need with out frying the voice coils in your low drivers. Drums and kick wear on ur speakers way more than resonating bass.
 
#19
JimmyM said:
I was wondering about if you ever tried it. Looks like a killer bass cab mic for $100.

My faves:

EV RE-20
Heil PR40
Sennheiser MD421
Beyer M88
58 or 57 with a DI doing lows below 100hz if you can get two channels

And the P2 looks like a very cool budget mic, and Floyd says it's good so I'm down.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it does the job very well. I'm sure it isn't as good as an RE20 or a PR40, but it will do until I get the cash for a PR40. And it beats the hell out of a 57, IMO.
 

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