The Watering Hole

I really like how this tiny amp sounds mic'd up.  This is the guitar just plugged straight into the amp with a glorious 1/4 watt of tube power going into the tiny 6 inch speaker  ;D

So here's a couple of minutes of funky/jazzy whatever jamming.

I played/recorded the bass clean into protools and then ran it through the Ampeg bass plugin.

lots of flubby notes etc, but who gives  a shit really, it is what it is, no more no less.

The first bit is with both pickups out of phase almost sounding like a wah!

and here's another go at it, this time with the POD

I'm liking most of the clips I hear from that little amp!  :)

Both clips sound great

When I listen back to the pod test I did (2nd clip) it really does sound quite false and brittle, especially the ice-pick top end.  There just really is no substitute for sticking a microphone in front of a cabinet...so much so that the POD is now on ebay. I haven't really used it in a long time and that last recording just confirms to me that I no longer actually like the sound it makes.

Here's another micing test I did a short while ago, this time SM57 on the C30.   By the way, I have an E609 mic on it's way, be intesting to see what difference that makes.  I should have spent all my money on mics over the years instead of messing about trying to get the sound with modellers.  Ho hum !

Jon — May 05, 2010When I listen back to the pod test I did (2nd clip) it really does sound quite false and brittle, especially the ice-pick top end.  

I sold my XT a long time ago, and I have never missed it a single bit. I was listening to my CD on the way to get X-Rays this morning and I had some tunes on there as done with the PodXT, and frankly the tone of those recordings was rather good if I do say so meeself. But truth be told I spent a lot of time fine tuning the patches for recording with trial and error. But you are right, there is nothing like sticking a 57 (or mike of your choice) in front of a speaker, and getting your amp tone from tube stuff.

The POD's helped me try out lots of different gear (sort of) that I never would have been able to and then I went out and bought the REAL versions of the ones I liked.  Unfortunately, I've had to sell some since due to my financial issues, but at least now I know what I like and will probably get some back again later. :)

For the gigging musician doing covers, I'd have to say they are just perfect.

The first take souds fantastic,  Jon !
The one with the C30 sounds a bit "confused" to my ears...

Ciao!
Marco

Lwb — May 07, 2010The first take souds fantastic,  Jon !
The one with the C30 sounds a bit "confused" to my ears...

Ciao!
Marco

Marco, what do you mean by "confused" ????

:)

Despite the overdine sounds, in the LL take, the notes are well defined while in the C30 take I can't hear the same notes separation...

Lwb — May 07, 2010:)

Despite the overdine sounds, in the LL take, the notes are well defined while in the C30 take I can't hear the same notes separation...

Absolutely agree with you there.  It is odd that the tiny 6 inch speaker on the Lanilei records really well at low volume whereas the 12 inch on the C30 does not.  It's probably because the LL is all mid range, and probably the C30 if cranked up really loud would present the microphone with the same sort of mid range signal (I'm guessing here).  I'm still looking into other small speakers at the moment as I would like to get a selection of 6 or 8 inch speakers and build some very small cabs for use for recording.

The only thing with recording the LL, if I do not EQ after the mic then it sounds horrible,just tons and tons of mid range....for the first recording I pulled back 500hz by -15db to get it to sound the way it does.....

thanks for listening and your comments....and by the way, I think I'm ready to do that video with you now !  I have a backing track idea in mind so I will mail you in a couple of days.

Jon,

very cool!  There are some good 8's out there.  Don't know of any good 6's.  There are some REALLY good 10's but I think you'll get into the same thing with MOST of them, as with 12's.  Takes more power to push them into where they sound good. In general, a lighter cone will move quicker and easier.  With low wattage, that's what you want.  I'd stick with a good 8.  I'd try Weber or Jensen.  

Just tried an "annoy the neighbors" recording.  Cranked the C30 full whack into hotplate and then turned up the hotplate volume to ear splitting territory. Dirty channel, drive only on 4, most of the distortion you hear is coming from the output tubes.  Mic'd with SM57 mid way between the edge of the speaker and the dustcup

I recorded 2 goes at this.  The first one attached here is with the mic 3 inches off the grill

and here's the 2nd go at it with the SM57 8 inches from the grill

In both cases there is absolutely NO post EQ on the SM57 at all.


Do either of these tones work ok?

Both work Jon.  Personal choice is the first one.  Really good.

I agree with Tobe: great work ! I prefer the second take.

Ciao!
Marco