The Watering Hole

I recorded a noodle last night to a bass/drums track I did a few weeks ago.

Signal chain:  Fender Tele > JCA22H overdrive channel > Hotplate > line direct into Roland Octacapture>computer.

This morning I then re-amped the signal that I recorded from the hotplate last night.  This went out of the Roland Octacapture into the Fender Superchamp X2 (the non modelled clean channel).  The volume level was fairly quiet (you could easily talk over it) and it was mic'd with a single SM57 square on the grill cloth 50/50 on dust cap and cone.

The only EQ in reaper that I did was to roll off everything below 100hz on the guitar.  I like a "biting" sound but think I may have overdone this somewhat.. a lot of that is down to the JCA22H as this amp is very bright, but I'm reasonably happy with the way this turned out, especially considering it is only an SM57 with no other supporting mics.  I also tried the same recording through an IR and the mic'd version just sits in the mix so easily where as the IR just didn't sound right no matter what I did.

I really like this process for recording so I can still record late at night and then re-amp the "juice" of the amp from the hotplate into a clean amp later for mic'ing.   Next testing session will be multiple mics on the cab...no time at the moment, more chores to do :(

There are a number of huge "howlers" in my playing, but I'm not worried about that so try and see past that, just wondering what you think of the mic'd sound....too bright etc, what frequencies to cut etc ?

sounds good to me - a bit scooped maybe - highs sound good, not harsh. could even turn up the guitar a bit to get even with the cymbal.

I think it sounds great, Jon.  It has that Achilles Last Stand vibe to me.  I'm listening to that now for a reference.  It's a good sound.  Maybe a little more Presence.  ;D  

Thanks chaps. On the right track at last  :)

That seems to work quite well. Only took a few seconds to forget I was listening for tone and get on enjoying the tune.

Jon, I will listen later, but from what I've read, the amp is pretty bright but really sounds good.  I've read several guys say they run the treble way down, and put a JJ in v1 to smooth it out a bit, but with the treble tamed, it's quite a nice amp.  

Sounds good to my ears!

Sounds nice to me too. Definitely on the same page as Sheep, the guitar could be brought up a bit more in the mix...great playing, so OWN it, don't be shy!

It is amazing how we get conditioned to accepting that direct recording sounds great, when in fact it really doesn't.  There is such a world of difference when using a microphone.  The high frequencies being a major one.  The same high frequencies when going direct sound not just fizzy, but also very harsh, but stick a microphone on a speaker and those same high frequencies sound biting but not harsh.  The microphone adds a nice smoothing effect on them.  Don't quote me on this but I just might never use direct recording using IR's or other such devices ever again  :)    The biggest thing for me that I do hear a difference in is that an IR always sounds the same (as it is just a snapshot of a very tiny bit of "air") whereas a mic'd speaker has nuances that can't be replicated any other way simply because real air is moving and it moves differently with every note.

Thanks to all for your comments...very encouraging.

Yup! And the further you set those mic's back from the speaker, those highs become even more smooth, less sizzly, at least to a point anyway. Got mine a good three inches away these days.

That sounds great Jon.  And makes me want a Tele!