xy on guitar cab

[AnthonyRochester]

I've heard of people using xy stereo micing on guitar cabs, often with 2 different mics, quite close to 1 speaker. What are people's thoughts on that? I have dismissed it as a dumb idea, as a speaker is basically a mono source, and you are just getting different off-axis signals for phase difference. I'm thinking of using it with a band I'm recording this weekend with an sm57 and md421. I don't have heaps of time to experiment.

[rcb4t2]

I haven't tried that, but I did try an sm57 up close and a 414 ldc farther away (3-6 feet, I think, roughly), and then hard panned the signals - made for a cool guitar tone - but it was for backing / layering guitar, so maybe not so hot for lead. Maybe you could set up two dynamics close-range w/ different axis placements and try them as XY or at the very least have a couple of choices come mix-time... you said you didn't have much time to experiment so having a couple of options later might help you out. *shrug*

[Ciozzi]

Originally Posted by beebay007

I don't have heaps of time to experiment.

then don't, cause it's not going to work that well

[AnthonyRochester]

oh, ok

[nigel saunders]

Originally Posted by beebay007

I've heard of people using xy stereo micing on guitar cabs, often with 2 different mics, quite close to 1 speaker. What are people's thoughts on that? I have dismissed it as a dumb idea, as a speaker is basically a mono source, and you are just getting different off-axis signals for phase difference. I'm thinking of using it with a band I'm recording this weekend with an sm57 and md421. I don't have heaps of time to experiment.

Play a click through the guitar amp, switch the phase button on one of the mics , monitor in headphones and position one mike until the click disappears. Unflip the phase button and you are good to go.
Some people accentuate 10K on the sm57 for the 'pick' sound and let the other mike (ribbon, 421) provide the body.
cheers

[Ciozzi]

Originally Posted by beebay007

oh, ok

I mean...experimenting is a good thing but not when you don't have time

[warhead]

Man, am I the only guy just likes the sound of one mic on a guitar cab?

Anything else introduces phase issues, one mic chosen well is so very, very coherent.

War

[Ciozzi]

Originally Posted by warhead

Man, am I the only guy just likes the sound of one mic on a guitar cab?

Anything else introduces phase issues, one mic chosen well is so very, very coherent.

War

No, you're not alone , for electric guitars I believe that one mic is way better than two

[gwailoh]

XY with two different mics is not unusual and works just fine with a little experimentation. You're not going for stereo so much as constructive comb filtering. Despite the added complexity, you can get a very natural representation of the amp with a little work. I've seen a condenser and a dynamic used together this way many times, for instance, a 47fet and a 57; or a 414 and a 421; etc. etc.

For what my own experience is worth, after a lot of evolution over the years I prefer a single mic on cabs. But there's no reason not to experiment when you have time. The XY thing might turn out to be your preferred method - you never know until you try it out.

[Slikjmuzik]

I've been using an AEA R92 on its reverse side on the front and an Audix i5 on the back of a Fender SuperChampXD. The reverse side of the 92 has reverse polarity already so when I'm dialing in tones, I don't have to flip phase on anything and therefore when it sounds good, it definitely is good. I've been getting some pretty killer sounds too. ISA220 on the R92 and SSL Alpha VHD with the VHD knob pretty cranked on the i5. Lynx Aurora conversion clocked to a Blacklion Microclock. Lovin it.

[AnthonyRochester]

well, I often to like the sound of combining mics on guitar amps, I just haven't tried positioning them as xy before..

[Slikjmuzik]

I guess I should've mentioned that I used to use xy all the time on guitar cabs between a condenser and an i5. It shud sound fine and I know someone who uses a KSM32 and a 57 on cabs. It's his go-to setup along with some other mics. He also owns 2 4x12's, one Marshall and one Mesa. He's the Studio Manager and head engineer at the studio that belongs to the labels that Nonpoint and Skindred are signed to, so he's no slouch. I guess, if you like it, use it, but most importantly make sure you like the results, don't just do it because others do or because it's a way to be safe putting two mics up close and acheive relatively no phasing pretty easily. I've personally tried x/y in numerous combinations with an sm7b, and i5, 57's, condensers...every which way and now I do what I mentioned earlier with my r92 and usually one of my i5's or sm7. Depending on the player and his tone, I'll choose accordingly.

[audiostout]

I use to mic guitar cabs with an sm57 in a "V" shape, one off axis and one on axis. I never really enjoyed the sound but I only did it cause others told me to. All it did was make me an "EQ tweaker" to get the sound I wanted. After I moved to the single mic I haven't looked back.

[FreshSkweez]

I've been using two mics on guitar cabinets for years. But more of a closeup/ambience setup. Sure a 57 off-axis on a JCM900 through a 1073 sounds awesome but try adding a U87 5-6 feet away going into a brighter pre... I still remember the first time I tried that. Whoa!

Now that I'm thinking about it I did do an XY (more like two mics on separate 10s in the cabinet) AND an ambience mic one time. And the guitar part was doubled. I panned that across the mix with the 87 tracks burried deep down in the center and got a hell of a wall of guitars ;-)