What Microphone for bass cab recording?

[0260n25]

I searched around but didn't find much (sure this is somewhere on this forum).

What are some microphone suggestions for bass cab recording in a quiet setting (think bedroom recordings)? I have a good DI recording setup, but want to dabble in recording directly from the cab speaker. Appreciate everyone's input.

Note: not concerned with price

-0260

 

[Michedelic]

EV RE-20, an industry standard. It’s also employed for speech in radio stations/podcasts.

 

[Wasnex]

1st step. What is your budget?

In general, I suggest avoiding bass drum specific mics as they have a strong built in EQ curve. I

Before buying a mic, I suggest trying whatever spare dynamic mic you may have access to. Many like a Shure SM57.

Common recommendations in no particular order:
1. Audix D4
2. AKG P2
3. EV RE20
4. Sennheiser MD421
5. Sennheiser MD441
6. Beyerdynamic M88
7. Heil PR40

 

[Bob_Ross]

Other than the AKG P2 which I’ve never used, every mic on Wasnex’s list in post #3 would be my recommendation as well.

I would also add the Neumann TLM-170i to that list. It’s not something typically thought of as a “bass cab mic” but it will capture the sound of your cab with astonishing accuracy.

 

[darev]

I also agree w/ @Wasnex's list. If I find that I need to mic a bass cab I would grab my 421 and.a 57 and see which one works best. I'd likely start with the 421.

 

[Lo-E]

My first choice: EV RE-20
My second: Sure SM-7b
My third choice: Sennheiser 421

Honorable mentions include the Rode NT1 (a great, all-around, inexpensive condenser), the Beyer 88 (awesome, versatile dynamic) and the venerable Sure SM-57.

 

[srosenthal13]

In no particular order. Use individually, or in combinations.

• Shure SM57/Beta 57
• Shure SM7/Beta 7
• Sennheiser MD 421

 

[silky smoove]

For me the be all end all of bass cab mics is the venerable U47FET. If you want a lower fidelity mic than the RE20 gets the nod from me with the SM7B following not too far behind.

 

[AK Bass Guy]

5. Sennheiser MD441

Great mic if you have $900. We have 10 of these at work and they sound good on almost anything.

 

[monsterthompson]

For those who have experienced using both the actual physical mics and the virtual mics available in various software applications (DAW/Plugin/etc), how fair are the simulations?

I ask because I’ve been curious about this topic but will probably never mic a cab. I would think if the simulations are reasonable and the OP has something like Guitar Rig or the Darkglass Ultra plugin then it might be worth trying the available software mic options as a way to get a taste for the various mics before buying one.

 

[SunByrne]

Before buying a mic, I suggest trying whatever spare dynamic mic you may have access to. Many like a Shure SM57.

In today's thought experiment: has more music been recorded on the SM57 than all other mics combined? (Excluding vocals, of course.)

 

[groovaholic]

In general, I suggest avoiding bass drum specific mics as they have a strong built in EQ curve

This, 100%

The typical "kick drum mic" will suck out all of your mids and leave your bass sounding like a too-loud car stereo, 2 cars over.
Mics that typically get used on floor toms (not kick) generally have a better tonality for bass guitar.

@Wasnex gave you a great list of such mics.
The only ones I would add are:

• The Audio Technica Pro25ax (which sounds great, but cuts a little more midrange than I'd like) and
• The Audix F12, which can often be gotten CHEAPLY

This video demos a ton of mics on a bass cab, and gives you a pretty good idea of their comparative voicing:


(Listen to the Audix D4 vs. the Audix D6 in this video to hear what we mean by scooped midrange)

 

[Deleted member 271037]

My favorite is the Beyerdynamic M88TG.

When I want a slightly more aggressive upper mid presence I sometimes use the Sennheiser MD421, which is also a very good choice.

The E/V RE20 is also a great mic for bass cabs. In fact, it's probably one of the best dynamic mics ever made, but it has a flatter frequency response than the two mics mentioned above so I always feel it needs a bit more eq to get where I want. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, because it gives you more of a "clean sheet".

THE best dynamic mic ever made is in my opinion the Sennheiser MD441. It sounds fantastic on almost anything, but for some reason I've never quite liked it on bass cabs. It's also hideously expensive.

I've personally never liked condenser mics on bass cabs, but lots of people do. You'll need a great sounding room though. Dynamic mics are generally far more forgiving in this respect.

Ribbon mics can be cool if the room sounds great, but be careful with the mic placement. Many ribbon can be blown by blasts of air.

No matter what the marketing says I would definitely avoid any kind of pre-eq'd kick drum mics, like the Beta 52 or the D112. At least unless you're looking for a severely mid-scooped tone.

And of course, even a lowly SM57 or other cheap "guitar amp" mics can sound great when blended with a DI signal to fill in the lows. The lows are a bit lacking if you don't blend it with a DI though. Be aware of potential phase issues and make sure you know how to deal with it if you blend a mic+DI.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I searched around but didn't find much (sure this is somewhere on this forum).

What are some microphone suggestions for bass cab recording in a quiet setting (think bedroom recordings)? I have a good DI recording setup, but want to dabble in recording directly from the cab speaker. Appreciate everyone's input.

Note: not concerned with price

-0260

If you’re definitely recording a di I would purposely avoid microphones with super low frequency range. Go with something like a trusty Shure sm58. It’ll compliment the di because with its limited frequency range down low you won’t have the phase issues you can get combining a kick drum or floor tom mic with a di . I also recommend the sm58 over the beta 58 specifically for bass. The beta 58 is a little better for vocals but the sm58 can handle louder sources, like a bass cab, with less issues. The nice thing about a di is it’s not limited in frequency range like microphone or speaker is. So let the Di handle the sub frequency and choose a mic that’s better at emphasizing and rounding out the midrange.

 

[Jim C]

After many years of sessions I recommend either an RE20 or MD 421 for an electric bass amp microphone.
U-87 for an upright acoustically.

 

[gonzkal]

Another vote for the EV RE20.

 

[Deleted member 394512]

For me the be all end all of bass cab mics is the venerable U47FET. If you want a lower fidelity mic than the RE20 gets the nod from me with the SM7B following not too far behind.

I was going to say U47FET. All the typical dynamic mics have been previously mentioned.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I’ve used the Shure SM7b, Beyerdynamic M88 and M201, Neat Mics Worker Bee, Sennheiser MD421, EV RE-20, and a slew of SM57’s and 58’s.
I’d suggest a mic with a fairly flat frequency responce, and as said earlier, you don’t need a mic with a huge low end, especially if you’re blending with a DI.
And please, no drum mics.

 

[Lammchop93]

RE20 is my vote as well. Although I do like my Warm Audio WA-14 quite a bit

 

[AK Bass Guy]

For those who have experienced using both the actual physical mics and the virtual mics available in various software applications (DAW/Plugin/etc), how fair are the simulations?

I ask because I’ve been curious about this topic but will probably never mic a cab. I would think if the simulations are reasonable and the OP has something like Guitar Rig or the Darkglass Ultra plugin then it might be worth trying the available software mic options as a way to get a taste for the various mics before buying one.

Sims can be good enough if not too forward in the mix IMO, but the stuff I’ve tried in Ableton and Logic doesn’t pass the test when soloing, IME.
Sim FX like verb, chorus, and flanger I think work well, but overdrive, distortion, and saturation are lackluster IMO.
For bass I use external DI and dirt, no cab micing, daw EQ and comp.