U 195 and AT 4050 on guitar cabs

[snedley]

Anyone using these on guitar cabs? I'm not having much luck with 57's.
I'm talking about dirty and clean sounds.

[XHipHop]

what amps and cabs do you have?

I have a sennheiser e609 silver permanently on a stand near all my guitar amps because I always go to that first and see what it gives me. It gives you a nice peak to make the guitar stick out and the closer you get with that thing, the more bass you get...so you can really customize the response you are looking for with it.

Sorry if i was off topic and didn't address the two mics you asked about...

Oh, also try an At4047!

[Sounds Great]

The at4050 was my main microphone on my guitar cabinet before I put a Gefell M900 there. It is great for that purpose. Way better then all the dynamics I tried, SM57, MD421, etc. But I have always been a fan of condenser microphones for that purpose. The Gefell is wonderful, but it cost close to a grand.

[Musiclab]

I've used both. recently I cut quite alot of electric guitars w a U195 into a daking 52270b, only one of the tracks was pretty distorted, everything else was on the cleaner side. I find the 4050 to be abit mid rangey compared to the U195. I havent
a/bed them directly but you cant go wrong w a U195.Its a much nicer sounding mic overall.

[carlsaff]

I use a 4033 on distorted cabs all the time with good results. Would imagine a 4050 would work, as well.

You didn't ask for the following observations, BUT...

Lately, I've been rediscovering the Senheiser 421 on distorted cabs after years of avoiding that combo (had bad experiences the first few times!).

The Beyer M88 can be nice on cabs that are very loud but not shredding (think ACDC).

Another mic that I discovered can be nice on distortion sounds that need to cut through a mix -- the Beyer M201. Typically use that mic on snare, but it has a condenser-like sound that can work on guitar cabs that need to be very present in the mix (maybe too present depending on the tone).

See... there's no real reason to use a 57!

[Gregg Sartiano]

Both seem a little edgy to me on distorted sounds, especially the U195. I've used 195/57 combination (moving mics to match phase) -- that's worked for me. I'm just referring to close mic positions here. I think the Royer 121/SM 57 combination kills anything the 195 or 4050 would do, especially on distorted sounds.

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by carlsaff

Lately, I've been rediscovering the Senheiser 421 on distorted cabs after years of avoiding that combo (had bad experiences the first few times!).

I tried it and it seemed a bit "boxy" to me, for lack of a better description.

[SoundUniverse]

I'll second the 4047! It rocks. I use it on a Fender black face 10" alnico blue back on the grill, class A all the way!! FAT!

[keiffer]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

... I find the 4050 to be abit mid rangey compared to the U195. I havent
a/bed them directly but you cant go wrong w a U195.Its a much nicer sounding mic overall.

I agree...

I find the 4050 a bit to honky or mid range heavy for my taste... then again I never totally rule the 4050 out...

I'll generally go to the U195 way before I ever consider a 4050

I have had great success with a 4050 on Elec gtrs.


D

[johnnyrock]

Originally Posted by snedley

Anyone using these on guitar cabs? I'm not having much luck with 57's.
I'm talking about dirty and clean sounds.

I've found a U195 through an API 7600 to sound massive on cleanish guitar tracks,that's a Les Paul through a Maverick,but kind of harsh when heavily distorted.So far I've stuck to clean rhythem sounds with it.I'd wonder why you can't get a decent sound out of a 57,it's dry and tight but perfectly usable through an API,or some other high end pre.

[TYY]

Originally Posted by johnnyrock

I've found a U195 through an API 7600 to sound massive on cleanish guitar tracks,that's a Les Paul through a Maverick,but kind of harsh when heavily distorted.So far I've stuck to clean rhythem sounds with it.I'd wonder why you can't get a decent sound out of a 57,it's dry and tight but perfectly usable through an API,or some other high end pre.

Agreed. A 57 through a decent pre should get you 90% of the way there unless you have a VERY specific texture you want that the amp can't get you. I agree the 421 can be a bit boxy (even more so than the 57).

[zakco]

I own both and have used each of them for gtr amps. Personally I find the U195 more useful in this application, but I have had success with the 4050 too. The U195 can be perfect for clean gtrs but I find it a little to "fizzy" on most distorted tones. But of course this is going to depend on the tone you're after...

With dirty gtrs I usuall reach for a ribbon and/or dynamic first.

I usually start by puting up both an AEA R84 and a Sennheiser MD409. (90% of the time one of those will get me there). Sometimes for something different I'll try an SM7 . I rarely use 57s for this purpose. If I didn't like the 409 or the SM7, chances are a dynamic is not what I'm after.....

Also, both the U195 and 4050 make a great room/ambient mic when combined with one of the above close mics.

Just my experience....

-Z-

[HudHudson]

FWIW, I tried a U195 (as well as some other mics) last night on crunchy guitar (PRS McCarty thru a '74 JMP 50 and a '69 Marshall 4x12 into a Neve Portico 5012) and confirmed that it's too "fizzy" for this application, even when used 6 feet in front of the cab where all four speakers "bloom" and padding the mic. But the Portico ROCKs on big loud guitars.

[max cooper]

I'll third the 4047. I tend to prefer it out in the room a bit.

[Tone Laborer]

Lots of Austinites on this thread. I use a 4050 on my Mesa Boogie quite a bit, but I don't have a huge locker to choose from. Sometimes I'll pair it with a 57, or more often, a beyer m69. Usually about 6 inches back, off axis to mellow the sound somewhat.

Lately, I've been been engaging the pad and putting another 10db pad in line, then crank the pre, very Knoffler-esk clean tones.

[pieter k]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I'll third the 4047. I tend to prefer it out in the room a bit.

Fourthed. ("Fourthed?" )

Albeit, paired with an AEA R84. I nearly fell over I liked it so much.

The 4047 alone gives a little bit more of a contemporary, slightly scooped sound--at least compared to the AEA--the two of them together are fantastic. On a Rivera Fender Super Champ, I was getting sounds on playback that sounded stupidly huge.

I've not tried the 4050 on e. guitar; my guess is a little flatter and duller than the 4047 based on other instruments I've used them both on. But probably fine. I've not had a bad experience with the 4050 yet. It doesn't set the world on fire, but it gets a good job done. Bonus for the patterns!

[David R.]

I have used a 4050 on guitar amp a bunch of times. I like it. So many variables though, like what does the amp sound like, how loud, style of music, room...

I think it is a great mic, and therefore it works in many situations, but I would not buy one to use exclusively for guitar amps. It is another flavor. I actually like it better as a room mic.

Never used a U195 so I won't comment on it.

[maskedman72]

i have used a u195 with a 57 on dist gtr and it was good!