Micing bass cabs---Shure SM-58 vs. EV RE-20

[JimmyM]

After 10 years of going DI because I hated the sound of solid state bass amps (used them only because I started playing mostly one-nighters and couldn't handle moving an SVT 4x a week), I got a Markbass amp and all of a sudden I like the sound of solid state. So I'm back to micing a cab, and I'm probably going to drop the DI because it's unnecessary, and if I didn't work with so many different soundmen with varying degrees of adventurousness, there would be no probably about it.

I've been researching which mic to use, and I've narrowed it down to two...the Shure SM-58 and the Electro-Voice RE-20. I chose the 58 because I own two, and also because more than any other mic Shure makes, it's got a frequency response suited to bass. The 57 is just barely stronger in the mids, but the low end on the 58 is heavier without getting insane. About the only mic that has a comparable response is the RE-20, it might even be a little better for bass than the 58. Now I would love to stick with the 58 because I already own two and they're 4x cheaper, but I'm not above spending $400 to get an improvement in tone. I'm just wondering if I would get a substantial enough improvement to buy one.

So what say youse? I would also be into any other suggestions for mics with relatively flat response (and under $500), but please don't recommend kick drum mics. I've never understood the logic behind using a mic designed to take enormous SPL's well beyond what a bass amp can do and give an enormous scoop.

[jamsmith]

RE20 or D112

[bluestarbass]

RE-20's are great. Senn 421, shure sm7, heck maybe even think about putting one of those tab-funkenwerk tranny's in one of your 58s. I have yet to hear anyone whos recorded bass with one of those upgraded 57s or 58s on bass.

[84K]

re20 or 421. I recorded a killer bass on Monday with a 421 and the direct signal through a chandler tg channel di.

[JimmyM]

A 421 is out of the question at $600 retail ;)

Bluestar, what is this transformer replacement for the 58? I went to their website, but there isn't much info about it on there. What's it supposed to do, and how much is it?

[bluestarbass]

Check out the mercenary audio site, they have a discription on there. They claim it makes the mic sound like an sm7. Ive heard its just a much more refined 57 or 58. They may be able to provide you sound samples, I have not tried it personally. Where are you getting $600 for a 421? When I worked at a music store the re20's were $400 and the 421's were $350. There are tons of 421s floating around so check ebay unless you really want a new one.

[centurymantra]

Even though I don't usually like the D112 on kick I do like it quite a bit on bass cab. I did want to mention that I recently discovered that the Sennheiser MD441 is beautiful on bass cabs...or at least the bass cab I was recently recording. It gave me a feeling that I've discovered a new "go-to" bass cab mic. I'll be experimenting with this some more. Clean, tight sound and pretty much zero (and I do mean pretty much zero) bleed from the (loud) drummer pounding away next to the amp. It's also just a great all-around dynamic mic. The Beyer M88 also gets name dropped a lot too for this use. Another great mic that can be used a lot of other places too.

[chetatkinsdiet]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

A 421 is out of the question at $600 retail ;)

Bluestar, what is this transformer replacement for the 58? I went to their website, but there isn't much info about it on there. What's it supposed to do, and how much is it?

I'm sure someone has already touched on this as I'm just now reading the thread, but if you got quoted $600 for an MD421, you need to leave the music store and never return. New, they're typically $350 and you can always find one of the older models for around $200. They're great, versatile mics. The RE20 is even better. Used, you can probably find one in the $250-300 range and new a tad higher, maybe $400.

You can always use a 57 or 58 to do just about anything, but there are better mics for certain apps like bass cab, kick drum, etc. Not sure if you do any recording, but the RE20 is a sleeper on vocals as well. I know the SM7 gets more credit, but really, any of the large dynamic mics are great. The SM7, RE20, M88, Heil, etc....any of which can be used for just about everything.

later,

m

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I chose the 58 because I own two, and also because more than any other mic Shure makes, it's got a frequency response suited to bass.

Are you the same JimmyM who's all over the TalkBass amp forum?

[JimmyM]

No way! That idiot???

;) Actually I got thrown off for a week and decided to make it permanent after getting an extremely rude reply from Paul Determan.

[nickynicknick]

I'm assuming you're talking live sound....really your 58 is perfect...for me, micing a bass cab live is about definition...you'll get plenty of that with a 58...you probably will find more sound guys wanting to use a DI though.

Nick

[RMJAZZ]

I just bought (3) 421's used for $500 total......you just have to keep your eyes open for that type of deal. BTW they all work great.

For live sound I usually go DI because of isolation issues considering a lot of live gigs are in relatively small rooms and the band is on top of each other...or the stage volume is just so terribly loud that you get everything but the kitvhen sink in your bass cab mic.........

If you feel that micing the cab is the only way to get your desired sound, get a used mic so you can afford to do a proper job; a lot of guys like using sm58's on jobs other than vocals but I think that is a bad choice and one I would only use if there were no other viable options.

Remember this is all just an opinion....the BEST engineers can work with crap and get a good outcome, but why make someone work that hard!

Rob