What Mic are you using on your Cab.

[JimmyM]

RE20 does rule. If I ever get off my ass and get mine fixed, I'll probably switch to it from the Heil PR40. Love the Heil, but I have to back off the grill 2 or 3 inches or the low end becomes overwhelming. The RE20 you can get right on the grill and sounds almost as even as when you back off.

 

[BBQV]

I did some A/B-testing in a studio once. The winner was Sennheiser MD421. Hands down the best one, did something to the mids that I like.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Your computer for videoconferencing has phantom power?

I use a cheap ART TubeMP with USB output as a preamp. Works like a champ and makes me sound like Tom Brokaw.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Just for kicks: a quick video I made on how to mic a bass cab using the Sennheiser MD421.

Micing a cab 2 - YouTube

 

[thawk1979]

I always like the vintage AKG D12E.

 

[JimmyM]

Just for kicks: a quick video I made on how to mic a bass cab using the Sennheiser MD421.

Micing a cab 2 - YouTube

Cool vid...I find myself agreeing very much with you.

 

[blackba]

For recording a EV N/D868 mixed with an Shure SM57. For live I just go DI or use the EV N/D868.

The EV N/D868 is nice, not as nice as the EV RE20, but still a cool mic.

 

[Korladis]

When recording, we used two mics on my cab. A Shure SM57 on one speaker, and an AKG C 3000 (may have been a C 3000B, not sure how different they are) on the other.

 

[popgadget]

I generally use the DI out of my Shuttle or WT400, sometimes in combination with a 57. I have also used an RE20, MD421 or D12E with acceptable results.

 

[afroman]

I prefer either an MD421 or RE-20. The perfect combo of definition and warmth IME and very dependable.

A lot of people say great things about Heil mics too.

 

[BigMac5]

I wish someone would do a video comparing the microphones mention here on a bass cab.

 

[audiomitch]

The Shure Beta 52 is a very finicky mic, even on a kick drum. It's not a quick set-and-forget. If you have the time, it can sound decent on a bass cab, but it's really not worth the trouble. The Sennheiser MD421 is a better choice - easier and sounds better.

FWIW, I don't care for condenser mics on a bass cabinet. I'd take an old 57 over a U87ai (and I own both) for a bass amp cab. Acoustic bass is a whole other story...

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

This thread deserves to be bumped for the mic photos.

 

[kilgoja]

i tried some mics before recording and live. they just never sound as good as using the DI cable out of the back of the amp head.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Yeah, I love my REDDI but sometimes there's nothing quite like a good mic'd recording. Call me Analog Man.

 

[vin*tone]

"Good" is a pretty useless word. Everyone has a different definition of "good".

 

[JimmyM]

"Good" is a pretty useless word. Everyone has a different definition of "good".

Everyone has a different definition of "useless," too

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I picked up an Audix D4, and I gotta say, for the price, this thing rules!
I've had some of the other mics listed here, live the EV, the D112, e609, and for the money, the D4 is pretty great. Sounds good, easy to place, reacts well to EQ, and combined with the Di from the B15R, I'm getting some really good sounds right now.
Makes it easy, the D4 about 10 inches out, right in the center of the cone.
I add about 40% DI to round it out...love it!

 

[Lo-E]

RE-20's always been my first choice live or in the studio.
C12a is pretty sweet for recording, but no better than an RE-20, IMO.
SM7's not too shabby, either.
421 is dandy, especially for rock 'n' roll.

...but I'm pretty flexible. I've gotten great results live with a plain ol' 57 or 58.

What I absolutely don't like is a D12. Kick drum mics have no business on a bass cabinet.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Can any recording engineers comment on the pros and cons of using condenser mics to record bass? I've heard they may be useful for capturing harmonics, especially on acoustic bass. I've had some success with my AKG Perception 400 but usually have a pair of those in a Blumlein Pair to acoustically record all instruments in the room instead of just the bass cab. For that latter application, I usually employ the Sennheiser MD421 near the cab.