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Miking a cab: combinations & mics choice ?

matt8602

matt8602

Dec 12, 2009
42
8
#1
Hi!

I need some advices for my next recording. I have an average experience in recording, for now I used to record through DI or directly into the audio interface so I could shape the whole tone and put effects in post-recording. I recently got a great sounding rig and really need to catch that tone from the speaker, as the dirt FX sounds really bad through a DI. I play overdriven 95% of the time and it sounds good because of the speaker, of course. I saw different techniques and microphones while browsing the web, the Electro Voice RE-20 appears almost everywhere. I'm thinking about using 2 mics, I play pop/rock with a pick and my tone is very scooped, I would like to have great low ends but also a lot of bright / presence.

Which mics will you recommend, and which combinations / placement ?
I'm thinking about RE-20 + a large diaphragm condenser (don't know which one exactly yet) close to the speaker, Also maybe the option of 2 dynamics such as a kick bass drum mic (Audix D6) + SM57 for the mids and presence.
I will rent the mics to a good audio store so I have a lot of options without paying much difference between them.
 
#2
If I'm capturing bass with one more than one source, I'll do the standard mic/DI combination. My go to is the RE20 set halfway between the center and the edge of a speaker (in a traditional 1 or 2-way cab), but back about 12" from the grill. I'll use the DI for the bottom end, and the RE20 for everything else. Make sure and account for phase differences within your DAW, and remember that it's not a common offset as phase changes with frequency. There are lots of digital solutions for handling this difference in post.
 
#3
Good on you for hiring first. I'd get hold of a EV RE20, Beyer M88, Sennheiser MD421, Shure SM57, some sort of 47fet style condenser and some sort of ribbon mic. There's obviously a lot of other mics you could use but these are the "standards". Kick mics are usually quite scooped in the midrange, can sometimes work but they aren't as versatile. The D6 is probably the most hyped of all of them, if your tone is already scooped this will make you inaudible!

This video will probably be of interest to you.
 
#4
IMO a solid budget mic for recording:
I've been using an AUDIX F12 for the last 2 years with very satisfactory results. I found the F14 kick mic too scooped for bass. IMO the F10 would work but the 12 handles the low B better to my ears. As always ymmv.
 
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#5
I bought a Heil PR-40 for my rig. It's the same one Justin Chancellor uses.
I don't have much experience with other mics but I've used a MD421 with great results too.
I did a (very sloppy) demo of it here. Live track + re-recorded bass through the PR-40.
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