I'm still experimenting with mic placement and would like to see some reference pics of where/how the regulars here have their mics aimed. Of course there's thousands of google images but I'm familiar with the tones here so it'd be more helpful. Thanks.
Hi Derek,
almost all my videos on YT (search for mbm20100) have a pic about mic and amp. My tones (and amps) are very different from the ones you use...but at least you'll be sure about how NOT to mic an amp ! :)
Ciao,
Marco
LOL. You've got things dialed in well man. I checked out a couple vids, no luck on the mic view with those. I'll check later for others!
What I'm wanting to figure out is the mystery of speaker brightness vs warmth vs an amps general voicing (something you AINT changing much). I know for me, the basic rule has been to get a solid, fizz/buzz free spot with the mic that sounds clear (which always seems to be closer to the dust cap) and THEN adjust the amp accordingly (usually warming). I'm just wondering now about trying something like getting a darker tone with the mics being placed further towards the cone edge and again, tweaking the amp accordingly (brighter), etc.
Ah well. I'll keep futzing around. I know one of these days the stars will line up and I'll finally get it 'just so.' But this is the fun part I guess. :)
don't have a good picture... and can't really get one since I un-mic'ed my cab a couple weeks ago. :(
cap edge (or a little nudged away from the cap edge), between 0 and 1 inch from the grill cloth, on axis... that's usually good.
It depends on the mic, but I really don't think there are rules. Maybe if you are doing an album and want to maintain consistency for a track the whole time, but I just throw the mic up and then move it around until I hear what's right. I generally favor the edge of the speaker, at least 4" out, though I've been sticking a ribbon right on the grill lately and turning it 45 degrees. With a good condenser, hell I'll just put that thing in the middle of the room, 5'-10' away. The Heil goes between the center and edge of the speaker, straight on, 4-6" back. 57s, well, I'll hang them, stick them in corners, put them 60 degrees off, mic the side of the cab... just get creative.
Does anyone have the infamous nipple ring diagram? :P
Basically what works best for me for heavy tones is overlapping cone and cap a bit, but the best sound could be anywhere around the circle, top, bottom, left right or any degree in between. Then fine tune at the amp. That said, that was just waht worked for me, IEG and Rocket used this method. It's just one way of many though...
Thanks for all the posts, all of them helpful. I suppose pics really were not needed, the specific descriptions work just as well when paired up with the audio clips floating around here. :)
charger — Mar 13, 2012It depends on the mic, but I really don't think there are rules. Maybe if you are doing an album and want to maintain consistency for a track the whole time, but I just throw the mic up and then move it around until I hear what's right. I generally favor the edge of the speaker, at least 4" out, though I've been sticking a ribbon right on the grill lately and turning it 45 degrees. With a good condenser, hell I'll just put that thing in the middle of the room, 5'-10' away. The Heil goes between the center and edge of the speaker, straight on, 4-6" back. 57s, well, I'll hang them, stick them in corners, put them 60 degrees off, mic the side of the cab... just get creative.
Dude, you left out the that awesome 'boot' mic stand. Ahh, the secret sauce... :D
found this on the tubes...
there are a lot of good micing videos like this... I like that this one uses the mic behind the speaker cab (though he neglects to mention that you need to flip phase when you combine this with a mic in front)...
Good stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQX71Ycrg28&feature=related
I find that I like pointing my SM 57 at the outside rim of the speaker 1" from the grill cloth (not off axis, straight at the rim). I get good results from that. I have been using that method ever since I was at a friends studio over in San Diego area, and he showed me the method he used, (and he is a pro recordist recording many of the local bands and is a local recording legend in his area, or at least he was that 5 or 6 years back) and I found that it works for the sound that I like both clean and overdrive.
desertbluesman — Mar 18, 2012I find that I like pointing my SM 57 at the outside rim of the speaker 1" from the grill cloth (not off axis, straight at the rim). I get good results from that. I have been using that method ever since I was at a friends studio over in San Diego area, and he showed me the method he used, (and he is a pro recordist recording many of the local bands and is a local recording legend in his area, or at least he was that 5 or 6 years back) and I found that it works for the sound that I like both clean and overdrive.
What's his name Dave? I'm just curious if I know him (I grew up in San Diego for about 25 years).
