Good microphone for recording bass cab?

[Korladis]

So, when recording music, I want to have the option of mic'ing my cab if I want to use it. What's a good microphone for this? Will an SM57 work all right, or what?

 

[kosmicwizard]

Shure it will.

 

[Korladis]

Ha ha, you made a punny.

 

[crimson_basser]

I would suggest the Heil PR40. It sounds super awesome, reproduces the sound almost identically to what comes out of your amp. Its relatively flat too, so you can adjust how you wish before (with EQing) or afterwards in mixing.

Big ups to that mic from me.
An SM57 wouldnt give you enough low end in my opinion.

 

[RickenBoogie]

+1 SM57 is a workhorse, and would do in a pinch, but the low end would be severely lacking.

 

[gjbassist]

Yes, SM 57s will work just fine.

 

[Vintage-Blue]

+1 on the PR40

 

[knumbskull]

SM57s have a serious roll off on low frequencies, they don't get much below 200hz IIRC. you want something that can capture your full range.

a Neumann U87 clone (or the real thing, if you can handle the massive price tag) will do you well. YMMV etc

oh and Cole ribbon mics are good for bass too.

EDIT i find i keep quoting this SM57/200hz stat but can't remember where i heard it... anyway here's a diagram from somewhere. so they pick up from 40 hz but only really get flat response from around 150...

IME they aren't great for bass. of course that doesn't mean you shouldn't try, or couldn't get good results.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Mystic Michael]

Suggestion: Mike a cab with an SM57 - but use a direct signal as well. The SM57 will pick up your mids & highs - maybe even some upper bass - just fine. The direct signal will pick up the lows - and probably better than the great majority of microphones.

This is ideal because a good mike will capture the speaker coloration that lends character to your sound - in those frequencies where it is most prominent - in ways that a direct box cannot. Likewise the DI will capture full, round, deep low bass - in ways that most microphones cannot...

MM

 

[knumbskull]

/\/\/\ excellent advice

 

[f64]

I would suggest the Heil PR40. It sounds super awesome, reproduces the sound almost identically to what comes out of your amp. Its relatively flat too, so you can adjust how you wish before (with EQing) or afterwards in mixing.

Big ups to that mic from me.
An SM57 wouldnt give you enough low end in my opinion.

+2

 

[Korladis]

Suggestion: Mike a cab with an SM57 - but use a direct signal as well. The SM57 will pick up your mids & highs - maybe even some upper bass - just fine. The direct signal will pick up the lows - and probably better than the great majority of microphones.

This is ideal because a good mike will capture the speaker coloration that lends character to your sound - in those frequencies where it is most prominent - in ways that a direct box cannot. Likewise the DI will capture full, round, deep low bass - in ways that most microphones cannot...

MM

If able, I'm planning on doing this, using the DI track just enough to cover the lows.

 

[crimson_basser]

Suggestion: Mike a cab with an SM57 - but use a direct signal as well. The SM57 will pick up your mids & highs - maybe even some upper bass - just fine. The direct signal will pick up the lows - and probably better than the great majority of microphones.

This is ideal because a good mike will capture the speaker coloration that lends character to your sound - in those frequencies where it is most prominent - in ways that a direct box cannot. Likewise the DI will capture full, round, deep low bass - in ways that most microphones cannot...

MM

Yes, a clean DI signal is always great too. If you can manage both, youre in amazing shape.

If not and you can only use a mic, Ill re-iterate the PR40. An SM 57 isnt terrible, and you can definitely try things in combination. That's where the fun of recording comes from

 

[Korladis]

Does the SM58 get any better low end response or no?

 

[superdick2112]

Blue Dragonfly - sounds excellent when placed in front of a bass cab.

 

[Korladis]

Yes, a clean DI signal is always great too. If you can manage both, youre in amazing shape.

If not and you can only use a mic, Ill re-iterate the PR40. An SM 57 isnt terrible, and you can definitely try things in combination. That's where the fun of recording comes from

PR40 would be nice, but is not really financially feasible right now.

 

[Korladis]

Blue Dragonfly - sounds excellent when placed in front of a bass cab.

How much does that cost? Is it flat and does it pick up the lows better than the SM57?

 

[jruberto]

I always take a DI on bass. The DI will always have all the low frequencies & 'uumph' you'll need. Have often wound up just using the DI even when there are other sources.

Pair it with a mic signal (make sure they are phase aligned) to capture some character & sound of the amp/cab and you can craft a killer sound without reaching for the EQ at all (just use the mix of the two signals to get it where you want it). In this case, a 57 can be just the right thing. Don't rely on a 57 to capture any low low stuff tho.

I love a subkick on a cab, I've also used various condensers (c414, u87, u67) & dynamics (sm57, md421, d112) -- kind of depends on the style of playing & the sound you are looking for.

Recently I've been taking 3 sources: DI, subkick & mic. Blend to taste.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Does the SM58 get any better low end response or no?

No. In terms of frequency response, it's virtually identical to the SM57...

MM

 

[Korladis]

Plain DI isn't really the sound I'm going for in my bass sound. Way too clean. It's more of an old school, mid-heavy, overdriven tube amp sound. That's why I really want to have a mic'd cab track, to capture that sound.

What is a subkick?