Is a 4x12 Cab better for recording?

syra · 30th October 2003, 09:15 PM

If you gonna mic one or maximum 2 speakers...will a 4x12 make a difference in sound compared to a 2x12?

Does the size of the cabinet affect the sound too much?

I can see the need for more speakers for a live situation but for recording...what do you guys think ?

(Of course I would be comparing the same speaker on both the 4x12 and the 2x12)

peace, syra

el cochino · 30th October 2003, 10:08 PM

I'd say yes. I have never used a 2x12" cab, but I have used Mesa and Marshall 4x12" with Celestion V30s and they sounded different. I think the mass of the speaker cabinet makes a difference in the low end.

Midlandmorgan · 30th October 2003, 10:43 PM

a 412 in theory takes more energy to get things moving...more air, more cones, etc...still needs the power regardless if they are mic'd or not...

I believe a closed 412 will give more upper bass "whomp" (technical term) ... but I really dont think it works well close mic'd - you need some space to let the waveforms develop...

There are some 212 cabs designed to take less energy (volume) that have the same amount of air mass...Buzz Feiten designed some a few years back that got great reviews...

Another thing to try...in a 412 cab, series/parallel sounds a bit different than parallel/series wiring for the speakers....

Jay Kahrs · 30th October 2003, 10:47 PM

The cabinet affects the sound to any degrees. More so if your miking the room, less so if your jamming a mic right on the grille. One really cool thing is to put two different pairs of speakers into a 4x12 so you have some options.

I've heard 2x12 cabs that sound much bigger then a 4x12. The Bogner 2x12 (with V30's) just ate a Marshall 4x12 with V30's for breakfast. No shit. Bigger bottom & way more balls. That Bogner cab was about 2/3 the size of the Marshall.

So does size matter?

I think so.

BattleAngel · 30th October 2003, 11:00 PM

I vastly prefer a great 2x12 cab. I'll also second the Bogner cab- their 1x12 is also great and I'd even use that. I'm not a big 4x12 guy.

Neddy Seagoon · 30th October 2003, 11:30 PM

I totally agree with the "less is more" theory. Example: IMNSHO the Boogie 1 x 12 sounds better and more importantly tracks better than the 2 x 12 which sounds waaay better than the 4 x 12. Having said that I probably track with a closed back 2 x 12 loaded with Fanes or a 2 x 10 open back w/Celestions more than anything else.

BattleAngel · 31st October 2003, 12:54 AM

I've found the less is more approach works with bass too. The Aguilar 1x12 cab for bass freaking rocks.

jbuntz · 31st October 2003, 02:24 AM

You run into phase problems with lots of speakers. Open back or not makes a big difference, type of speaker makes a big difference.

muddy · 31st October 2003, 02:45 AM

this is my baby:

this is what it sounds like closed:

http://www.crcoils.com/CRClips/xroad_clp.mp3

http://v-stack.com/samples/VSMLMS.mp3

the space i record the amp in is small, and it sounds better with the hatchback closed. it's much tighter sounding in the room.

ml

Sir Bob · 31st October 2003, 06:20 AM

I think the amp is more important than the configuration of speakers.

syra · 31st October 2003, 06:47 AM

Thanx guys...interesting and diverse opinions here...

I guess there is no true "best" afterall. I will have to audition a few and make up my mind....

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
R121, how far from the 4x12 gtr cab? Strange blowing on the mics...	Mozart	High end	13	10th July 2006 06:06 AM
Mesa boogie 4x12 oversize cab!	hobey123	So much gear, so little time!	7	22nd May 2006 02:19 AM
Wiring a 4x12" cab to 8 ohms	GMo	So much gear, so little time!	9	5th October 2004 07:46 AM

30th October 2003, 09:15 PM	#1
syra Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: L.A. Posts: 1,416	Is a 4x12 Cab better for recording? If you gonna mic one or maximum 2 speakers...will a 4x12 make a difference in sound compared to a 2x12? Does the size of the cabinet affect the sound too much? I can see the need for more speakers for a live situation but for recording...what do you guys think ? (Of course I would be comparing the same speaker on both the 4x12 and the 2x12) peace, syra

30th October 2003, 10:43 PM	#3
Midlandmorgan Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Midland TX Posts: 1,078	a 412 in theory takes more energy to get things moving...more air, more cones, etc...still needs the power regardless if they are mic'd or not... I believe a closed 412 will give more upper bass "whomp" (technical term) ... but I really dont think it works well close mic'd - you need some space to let the waveforms develop... There are some 212 cabs designed to take less energy (volume) that have the same amount of air mass...Buzz Feiten designed some a few years back that got great reviews... Another thing to try...in a 412 cab, series/parallel sounds a bit different than parallel/series wiring for the speakers.... __________________ Ken Morgan Wireline Studio Midland, TX Don't Blame Me, I Just Recorded What You Played

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

30th October 2003, 10:08 PM	#2
el cochino Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austria Posts: 773	I'd say yes. I have never used a 2x12" cab, but I have used Mesa and Marshall 4x12" with Celestion V30s and they sounded different. I think the mass of the speaker cabinet makes a difference in the low end.

30th October 2003, 11:00 PM	#5
BattleAngel Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 930	I vastly prefer a great 2x12 cab. I'll also second the Bogner cab- their 1x12 is also great and I'd even use that. I'm not a big 4x12 guy.

30th October 2003, 11:30 PM	#6
Neddy Seagoon Gear nut Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Los Angeles Ca. Posts: 123	I totally agree with the "less is more" theory. Example: IMNSHO the Boogie 1 x 12 sounds better and more importantly tracks better than the 2 x 12 which sounds waaay better than the 4 x 12. Having said that I probably track with a closed back 2 x 12 loaded with Fanes or a 2 x 10 open back w/Celestions more than anything else.

31st October 2003, 12:54 AM	#7
BattleAngel Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 930	I've found the less is more approach works with bass too. The Aguilar 1x12 cab for bass freaking rocks.

31st October 2003, 02:24 AM	#8
jbuntz Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,651	You run into phase problems with lots of speakers. Open back or not makes a big difference, type of speaker makes a big difference.

31st October 2003, 02:45 AM	#9
muddy Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: N.Y.C. Posts: 309	this is my baby: this is what it sounds like closed: http://www.crcoils.com/CRClips/xroad_clp.mp3 http://v-stack.com/samples/VSMLMS.mp3 the space i record the amp in is small, and it sounds better with the hatchback closed. it's much tighter sounding in the room. ml

31st October 2003, 06:20 AM	#10
Sir Bob Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 240	I think the amp is more important than the configuration of speakers.

31st October 2003, 06:47 AM	#11
syra Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: L.A. Posts: 1,416	Thanx guys...interesting and diverse opinions here... I guess there is no true "best" afterall. I will have to audition a few and make up my mind....