I have recently discovered a really amazing combination of mics for tracking overdriven guitar amps with 4x12 cabinets.
TLM 103- 12" to 15" away from direct center of speaker.
D112- pointed at the middle of the outer edge off speaker cone about 1" to 3" out (depending on the SPL level at close proximity).
The 103 provides a lot of necessary information around 2k to 3.5 k and is very intense down to around 750Hz.
The D112 offers nice detail in the low end and upper mid-range. This mic, really, captures all that great percussive, close proximity information (you know, when it sounds like, at any moment, the strings are gonna snap right off the guitar) that you would want from a killer guitar sound. I've never really experienced great results with an SM7 and this was just an arbitrary alternative.
The D112 was sent to an API 312 followed by a Distressor at 3:1, Med attack and quick release. Hi Pass, Dist3, Stereo Link engaged...little attenuation.
The 103 was sent to a 1272 followed, as well, by another Distressor at 4:1, faster attack and quick release, Hi Pass, Dist3, Stereo Link engaged...no more then 2db attenuation.
These were then sent to the 192s into ProTools at 96/24.
No Eq was used during the tracking and only during the mix did I roll the guitars off at 92Hz to allow the bass guitar to be revealed. Albeit, I enjoyed the low end (on the guitars) between 50 - 80 Hz, but the bass guitar had to be prevelent. I was still able to preserve a good bit of the beefiness in the low end, anyway.
Paradoxically, this application is the best I have found for either of these mics. I guess I prefer to approach guitar tracking similar to that off a kick drum...does this make sense?
It also, helps if you arrive early to a session just to allow the tubes in the amp to warm up for several hours before tracking.
They work very well blended together...and is the initial intention anyway.
Just thought I'd share. I went down today to take some recall photos before tomorrows session when I will again use this set-up. Of course, the humidity is now a bit lower, but what do you do?
I'd be more than happy to post a sample of this technique if anyone is interested, but I don't want to hijack your thread.
Here's a shot:
