Best all around mic to record amps ?

[RIZ Records]

Hi again, im looking to buy an Fender 65' Twin Reverb re-issue amp for live guitar, bass, and running some keyboard sounds through like Rhodes, Wurlitzer, clavs, organs, ethnic plucked instruments, and some synths.


Im going to use a Shure SM57 for the guitars, but was wondering what would be another all around great mic for recording Rhodes, Wurlitzer, clavs, organs, ethnic plucked instruments, and some synths, coming out of the amp? Would the SM57 be the best bet or would abother mic be better/richer/warmer, for this particular task?



Thx a lot in advance guys!

[Norman Lindsey]

i trust the sm57 for a lot of things.if you're talking live, than that is where it is at.

[warhead]

Audix i5 = does everything an SM57 does...only better in my opinion. Sounds more full / robust and doesn't have the peakiness a 57 can.

Also, I really like the E/V ND468 for a very tight mic with good full & present sound.

War

[Bassline]

Some of my favorites:

Shure SM57
Senn 421
Senn e609 (blackface)
Shure SM7
Royer 121
AKG 414

[kats]

I'm not a huge Royer fan on heavy guitars, but I really like them on Fender amps when using the types of instruments you describe - from strats to bouzoukis etc

[pulse_divider]

Beyer M160 is my go-to mic for all things amplified.

[antiguru]

I put a rode classic on the amps for shits and giggles and it sounded amazing. I use that every session now.

[RIZ Records]

Thanks a lot guys for the responces.


I'll definetly get a Shure SM57 and a Audix i5 because they are so damn cheap.


But how does a Royer 122 compare to a Beyer M160 in sound? Im only using these to record the sounds coming out of my amp. Would a Beyer M88 be a better choice than the Beyer M160? Thx!

[murp]

Originally Posted by RIZ Records

But how does a Royer 122 compare to a Beyer M160 in sound? Im only using these to record the sounds coming out of my amp. Would a Beyer M88 be a better choice than the Beyer M160? Thx!

The M88 is a dynamic, M160 is a ribbon.

I never had any luck recording electric guitar with an M88 - very useful for lots of other things, but not electric guitar in my experience.

[RIZ Records]

Hey murp, i think the Shure SM57 would take care of the electric guitars for me, im more worried about the keyboard sounds coming out of the fender amp. Would the M88 be better for this situation than the M610 in your opinion?

[murp]

Originally Posted by RIZ Records

Hey murp, i think the Shure SM57 would take care of the electric guitars for me, im more worried about the keyboard sounds coming out of the fender amp. Would the M88 be better for this situation than the M610 in your opinion?

I don't really have much experience with keyboards, most of my work tends to be guitar/bass/drums/vocal stuff.

I think either would probably work fine though, the M88 might give you a slightly more open top-end, and the M160 might help taming any shrillness, but I think with the right sound/amp/placement, either would work.

If I were micing keyboards through a Fender amp, I would personally reach for a LDC first, but that's just me...

[jbuntz]

Shure SM5b/SM7b both seem to never suck on guitar or bass cabs, the sm5 tends to be a bit cooler on guitars, sm7 better on bass. 57's and 609's are cool on guitars and have different peaks that may compliment each other sorta. M201's and 421's are less peakey than 57's and 609's and also both quite cool. When 121's work, they slaughter the dynamics, but when the suck, they suck. I still haven't found a rhyme or reason when they are going to work except they usually sound best on smaller cabs. Sometimes a U87 is pretty cool on guitars, U47's/47 fet's on bass. Coles 4038's also sound good except distort easily. If I had to just pick the ones that work on everything, the sm7/sm5's.

[Igotsoul4u]

royer 121 hands down. way richer and smoother then a 57

[RIZ Records]

Thanks guys,

murp, can you tell me the exact model LDC mic you would rather use to record a Fender Amp? And whats your reason for reaching for it first? Thx!

[murp]

Originally Posted by RIZ Records

murp, can you tell me the exact model LDC mic you would rather use to record a Fender Amp? And whats your reason for reaching for it first? Thx!

Whatever I have around that works...

I would think that the extra HF reach of a condensor would better suit keyboard sounds, but that's without knowing the genre/song/sound/amp etc... just try sticking a bunch of mics on the grill and see which one sounds best.

[synchu]

For heavy distorted guitars on some last recording I've been using Sennheiser e906. It has three selectable frequency filters, which I do find useful with different amps/sounds. I do recommend at least checking it for couple of days before turn to the SM57


Previously used various combinations of Electrovoice N/D478 dynamic (another great mic) and Shinybox ribbon (despite having "China made parts" stamp it did fabulous job in most cases) :-/

[msrecprod]

I just love U67's with those amps (or any amp). It tames the highend a little, but still gives a huge amount of body.