What mic do you use?

[Charling]

Yeah, I suck. What can I tell you? I don't like kick mics on my bass cabs. They sound scooped to me. If you like them, fine. Sorry I offended you.

Yeah, agreed, I'm not one to use a kick mic on a bass cab, though sometimes I'll use a d12 (the old version of a d112, though it doesn't sound very similar!) for a bit of a change.

That said however, I disagree that using a particularly voiced mic on similar sources causes them to compete in the mix, theres so much more going on that that. For a heavily voiced mic like a d112 the chances that they clash will be a little greater but if thats the case then you should change your bass sound a little, tune the kick or eq them apart and they will work fine together!

if we don't have time to try out lots of different mics for a session at the studio we use a neumann u67 for lots of things, room mic for drums, acoustic guitar, vocals, sometimes electric guitar and the voicing of that mic doesn't cause issues in the mix!

I know what you mean though, but I think its more of an issue of general mic choice, not using the same one for lots of stuff!

I sometimes use a subkick for bass, good when you want a huge soft low end, good for when you need real bass on a hip hop or drum and bass track for example. doesn't pick up much in the way of the tone of your bass but it is a nice addition to get some of that artificial low end without resorting to big eq boosts!

 

[sonic assassin]

[subkick] doesn't pick up much in the way of the tone of your bass but it is a nice addition to get some of that artificial low end without resorting to big eq boosts!

word. i use it for just that. its an effect microphone, just like a coppertone or green bullet.

im always the type to say "capture everything, ill pick and choose later". some people dont want those kinds of options cluttering up their mixing later.

i wont track with effects, and i will record every sound i can, but i DONT record things flat or without ambience so i can add it in later. kind of a mix of modern american and UK recording styles.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

i never bothered with any of that.. just a speaker with an XLR hanging of. right into my mic pre and away i go. never bothered with impedance.. cause its just low noise. not that crucial.

i found the di box in between helped me get a better frequency response, probably due to the pre getting a signal that it could handle more easily than just a straight wiring.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

That said however, I disagree that using a particularly voiced mic on similar sources causes them to compete in the mix, theres so much more going on that that. For a heavily voiced mic like a d112 the chances that they clash will be a little greater but if thats the case then you should change your bass sound a little, tune the kick or eq them apart and they will work fine together!

if we don't have time to try out lots of different mics for a session at the studio we use a neumann u67 for lots of things, room mic for drums, acoustic guitar, vocals, sometimes electric guitar and the voicing of that mic doesn't cause issues in the mix!

I know what you mean though, but I think its more of an issue of general mic choice, not using the same one for lots of stuff!

I sometimes use a subkick for bass, good when you want a huge soft low end, good for when you need real bass on a hip hop or drum and bass track for example. doesn't pick up much in the way of the tone of your bass but it is a nice addition to get some of that artificial low end without resorting to big eq boosts!

well, using similar mics on multiple sources will not necessarily create a problem (i've never said that). but if you start with a plan from the beginning, taking into consideration every part of the signal path, you most certainly will benefit greatly in the end result.
since the mic or di is the very first thing in the recording signal path,
making choices based on the character and frequency response of these components can only lend itself to a well balanced end result.
that said, many a great recording was made with a 57 or two (or only u87's)...

 

[Charling]

well, using similar mics on multiple sources will not necessarily create a problem (i've never said that). but if you start with a plan from the beginning, taking into consideration every part of the signal path, you most certainly will benefit greatly in the end result.
since the mic or di is the very first thing in the recording signal path,
making choices based on the character and frequency response of these components can only lend itself to a well balanced end result.
that said, many a great recording was made with a 57 or two (or only u87's)...

well yes, exactly, the point I was making was that using the same or similar mic's on multiple sources will probably not create a problem! It was a response to Jimmy M's posts.

Yeah planning is everything, and knowing your gear inside out helps a lot too! But as you say great recordings can happen with one or two mics, the mic/DI is the first thing in the recording signal path but even before that is the placement of the mic, before that the amp, then instrument, then player. Each step getting exponentially more important which is why (I believe) a big mic collection is not necessary to make great recordings.

For truly world class results, however, you need the gear choice, any excuse to expand the collection another 67 anyone?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Yeah planning is everything, and knowing your gear inside out helps a lot too! But as you say great recordings can happen with one or two mics, the mic/DI is the first thing in the recording signal path but even before that is the placement of the mic, before that the amp, then instrument, then player. Each step getting exponentially more important which is why (I believe) a big mic collection is not necessary to make great recordings.

For truly world class results, however, you need the gear choice, any excuse to expand the collection another 67 anyone?

you never need an excuse for more gear!

 

[ljazz]

I've been experimenting with capturing my tone a bit as we prepare to start tracking next month. The best combo I've found (for me thus far) has been di into a Black Lion Auteur, and a 57 on my gk 112 running into the second channel on the Auteur. The Auteur has this punch you in the chest quality, and is incredibly clear and articulate. I know there are a lot of better pre's out there, but for the budget minded, it's an awesome addition to your gear collection.

I can't wait to start tracking with it.

Ljazz