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Shure SM57 + DI... vs. AKG D112 + DI

Which combo would you choose for recording bass?

  • Shure SM57 + DI

    Votes: 8 25.8%

  • AKG D112 + DI

    Votes: 13 41.9%

  • Other Mic (Specify) + DI

    Votes: 6 19.4%

  • Carrot Mic + DI

    Votes: 4 12.9%
  • Total voters
    31
JanusZarate

JanusZarate

Low End Avenger
Feb 21, 2006
10,198
671
40
Boise, ID, USA
#1
My brother (the guitarist in our group) and I are planning to invest in a Presonus Firepod sometime soon, after reading enough reviews and listening to enough samples of recorded material through one. Now, the next step is for us to get some decent microphones :D

I've been looking at a few possible approaches for bass recording here in this forum, and I've decided to go with the mic + DI combo route. I know what DI I'll use (I've already got it)... now I just need to figure out what microphone to use!

The SM57 is highly regarded as one of the best bang-for-the-buck mics out there in most recording situations. I also am aware that the SM57 is not "fantastic" on the low end. But my question is... how are you defining the "low end"? Are we talking "open B", or "open E/ drop D"? Because if the low end is fine on an E string, this may be all I need to match up with my DI for a quality recording setup.

And while we're at it... let's discuss my alternative option - the AKG D112, a kick drum mic that's very popular for bass recording. For those of you who have used both a D112 and an SM57 in the studio, which would you prefer to couple with a DI for the best possible recording?

I know mics are always a subjective thing, but I'm just talking about the best performance on a budget for a bass recording that's close to what I'm hearing from my rig.

I play mostly pickstyle rock, but I do also play fingerstyle. I never go lower than drop-D, and I usually play in standard EADG tuning. My bass is an EBMM Stingray, and my rig is a Gallien-Krueger 2001RB with a GK Neo 212 to match.

Fire away with your opinions, and don't forget to vote on the poll!
 
#2
I'm not a recording mixer, but as a live guy, the D112 and DI route is my go-to solution for bass. I've always liked the D112 as a bass cab mic; sounds great, goes nice and low (including drop-D and 5-string, and handles volume beyond belief.

When I get a rider for a national act specifying a mic/DI setup, I'd say it is a D112 at least 80% of the time (with all other mics making up the remaining 20%).

-Mark
 
#3
Hi.

Personally I wouldn't use a SM57 alone for bass micing for several reasons. A combination of a SM57 and another mic can produce astounding results in a studio environment if one has the time and patience to deal with the phase cancellations and such.

The D112 or preferably the older D12 would be my choice between those two options and the D12 is my primary mic with bass or BD.

The other popular and exellent sounding bass rig mic is Sennheiser 421, again the older the better IMO, but havin' a limited number of quality mics, the 421 usually sees vocal or guitar use.

Just my 0.02€
Sam
 
#4
The D112 is so radically EQ'd out of the box I would shudder to think that is the tone you want.

I much prefer an SM57 mixed with a DI, but your best option is a omni directional large diaphragm condenser microphone about 1 ft back from the cab. I've been very happy with the JDI for passive basses, but not so much for active basses. Of the DI's I have experience with, the Avalon U5 works best for active instruments.
 
#5
An AKG d112 or d12 is the most used mic for that application. I think my answer would be both, but if I had to choose Id pick the d112 plus a DI. Normally id use more than one mic though.

JoelB79, i remeber you posted that same comment about a d112 a while ago. That mic IS used for bass cabs in most recording studios. Your like the kid who would only paint whith one color arent you? If you wanted something uncolored get a pair of DPA or schoeps, throw them in front of the amp and there you go, and accurate stereo image. The point of the d112 is to bring out the low end in the mix. I wouldnt reccomend it as your only mic though.
 
#6
joelb79 said:
I've been very happy with the JDI for passive basses, but not so much for active basses. Of the DI's I have experience with, the Avalon U5 works best for active instruments.
Click to expand...

I already have the DI covered - I'm mainly just interested in the mic.

Regarding your D112 experience... I'm curious to hear more. Looking at the frequency response graph, it doesn't seem radically EQ'd at all in the range I'm most concerned about. There's a bump at 100Hz and 4KHz.
 
#8
In my home studio I routinely use both a sm 57 and an akg d112. I've never had what I've felt to be acceptable results using a sm 57 on bass. When I've tried it, I always wind up just muting it and sticking with straight DI (either passive DI, presonus tube DI, or SABDDI). The d112 is a pretty decent mic for bass. Not the best, but dang good for the bucks. It does color the tone some, but it is intended as a low end specific mic. I expected that when I purchased it. The only complaint I've had with the d112 is that when I use it for both kick drum and bass guitar (or upright, altough I usually use a LDC for that purpose) the similar coloration means I need to spend a little extra time working the EQ to make sure they each sit in their own frequency. I kinda wish I had another low end mic so that I could use one for kick and one for bass because I am lazy and don't want to have to actually do any work to mix anything. ;)

PS: After reading the manual for the d112, I noticed that they listed differing suggested uses for it other than bass. Out of curiousity, I tried running it on a couple horns once. Although they might have felt that the d112 was suited to that purpose, it sounded like utter poo to both myself and the horn players.
 
#9
D112 + DI sounds good to me. The 112 will cover your bass frequencies very nicely, and the DI will capture the high frequency nuances, so that should work well.

EDIT: I've tried a 57 on bass cabs before, and it didn't sound too great to me.

EDIT: One mic that works well for upright bass as well as bass cabs is the AKG B2000C. Had very good experiences with that, but watch out, it picks up a lot going on, so make sure it's isolated well.
 
#10
I've not had bad experiences with the D112. If I had to chose between that or the 57, I'd go with the D112.

However, just to play Devil's advocate, have you looked at the Shure Beta 52 (a little cheaper than the D112)? How about the Sennheiser MD421 (about 50% more than the D112)? The 421 is my favorite for micing a cab, and probably my next mic purchase, unless I run across a D112 on a great sale!
 
#11
SoComSurfing said:
The 421 is my favorite for micing a cab, and probably my next mic purchase, unless I run across a D112 on a great sale!
Click to expand...

I use an MD421 on my 112, an RE20 on my 410 then my Radial J48 for direct and it gives me what I want and more. I have used my Audix D6 on the 410 and it sounded pretty good as well.

The D112 was to scoop'd for me.
 
#12
SoComSurfing said:
However, just to play Devil's advocate, have you looked at the Shure Beta 52 (a little cheaper than the D112)? How about the Sennheiser MD421 (about 50% more than the D112)? The 421 is my favorite for micing a cab, and probably my next mic purchase, unless I run across a D112 on a great sale!
Click to expand...

The MD421 gets excellent reviews for bass use, and yes, I've considered it. But the price is what's holding me back... I might save up for it instead, though. As for the Shure Beta 52... the response curve seems more colored than I'd prefer to fight against. I'd rather stick to something more well-known among bassists.
 
#13
MysticBoo said:
The MD421 gets excellent reviews for bass use, and yes, I've considered it. But the price is what's holding me back... I might save up for it instead, though. As for the Shure Beta 52... the response curve seems more colored than I'd prefer to fight against. I'd rather stick to something more well-known among bassists.
Click to expand...

check out northernsound.net they have the best deals around, I think I got my 421's for about 280 a pop.
 
#14
all of the aforementioned mics will do if you have the tiime to fiddle with the placement, but my go-to dynamic mics are MD421, 57, D112 and D4.

my experiences below:

MD 421: nice fullrange sound, if a tad mid-heavy. prominent hi-mids around 3kHz

57: like above, maybe not as "flat" in it´s frequency response. bass-shy. hi-mid emphasis a bit higher than 421, around 5kHz.

D112: SCOOPED. best for slapping, and KORN-type sounds. could get woofy, depending on placement...

D4: very similar to 421, but sans considerable hi-mid emphasis. A bit honky on some cabs.


B52 I don´t like too much, because of it´s massive low-boost at close proximities, which makes low end too woofy, and blurred highs.

I use mics mostly for the mid/high range, and DI for clean lows (almost filtering the highs out), of course depending on the situation...
 
#17
firkinahsoul said:
I use an MD421 on my 112, an RE20 on my 410 then my Radial J48 for direct and it gives me what I want and more. I have used my Audix D6 on the 410 and it sounded pretty good as well.

The D112 was to scoop'd for me.
Click to expand...

+1

The RE20 is my favorite mic to mix with a direct line, followed by the 421.

In the studio, the RE20 combined with my Aguilar DB900 gave me the best sound I've ever had.

I never liked the D112 for bass. Great lows but no mids, which is basically what I'm looking for (mids) when combining DI and mic.
 
#20
Hi.

MysticBoo said:
For the record... I bought a Sennheiser MD421-II.
Click to expand...

Congrats. Exellent choice, IMO of course.

bluestarbass said:
I have a vintage 421 that you would have to pry from my cold dead hands. Its one of the most versitile mics for electric instruments. Ive heard people using it on vox but ive never tried it.
Click to expand...

+100. For me it's the "affordable" vintage higher-end dynamic mic No.1. Too bad the capsules aren't as durable as the Shure ones :crying:.

Try it on voc sometimes. If I was a gambling type of a person, I'd bet some money that You'll like the result.

Sam
 

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