Stereo Room Mic for Guitar Cab Setup

[GregoryC]

Originally Posted by jambirn

Hi Folks,
I'm thinking about stereo room-miking a nice guitar sound I get with an AC30 and JC120 together. Anyone know if I can get a good sound out of a lower-cost condenser, like a Rode NT4, for that application? Or is saving for an R88 or SF12 a must????

Thank you kindly,
Jim B.

you should be able to get a good sound with the Rode mics, but a R88 is not a bad idea.

[Blast9]

You'll def get a nice room sound from SDCs if they are back from the amp (and if the room itself sounds good).

The further away, the more treble roll-off you'll get.

Don't forget to try the mics facing away from the amp too, o rpointing at different parts of the room thumbsup

[jambirn]

Thanks --
The thing is, the sound of the cabinets where I'm standing about 3-5 feet away is beautifully full and rich. How do I best capture that? Close mic with dynamics and stereo mic with LDCs from afar? How will the warmth be captured?

[Blast9]

Well, if it sounds great from where you're standing, the closest you'd get is a binaural pair, but the good ones are seriously expensive, eg the Neumann Fritz.



The point being, to get anywhere near the amazing ability of ear/brain you need a seriously amazing chain from mic to preamp to converter.

Next best:

How bout trying a coincident pair at the same height as you're liking the sound, which is probably somewhat off-axis from the speaker cone. I.e. if you are standing, and the cab is on the floor knee-height, and that is the sound you're liking from the room, stick the mics there at ear-height

Because they are off-axis you'll be getting some treble roll-off and therefore help towards a "warm" sound.

I'm sure you'll have to boost some low mids to get closer to the sound you're hearing standing in the room.

Also stick one mic on the speaker as your main sound (per usual), then blend the room mics in there --- or depending on the song why not use the room mics as your main sound for a change?

[digitalM]

Hello jambirn,
I recently recorded a guitar cab and also wanted to capture the warm room sound at appr. 3-5 foot from the amp. I used a AKG C422 ( stereo 414 ) in M/S configuration and got just the result I wanted: a rich warm sound with very nice stereo image. At the same time I also used a MD441 and MD421 close to the speaker to blend in with the room mic. Great sound, just beware of phase issues between the close mics and the room mics.
Cheers, Martijn.

[jambirn]

Thanks so much, guys -- really helpful stuff. I have some nice mic options for a Mid/Side setup -- could use my Royer 121 for the sides along with a Neumann TLM 103 for the mid.
Question -- How would you use an unmatched large diaphragm condenser pair (my 103 and a Sputnik) in this situation? Would you just stick with the m/s setup as described above?

Thanks again! And look me up if you're visiting NYC...
Jim

[whitepapagold]

M/S is a great suggestion. ESPECIALLY if you have found a nice sweet spot only a few feet away!

[jambirn]

Thanks -- will be a great chance to work on my M/S technique.