cab miking - mxl 990
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Posted on Oct 02, 2009 02:16 am
stratwizard
Member Since: Nov 19, 2008
I am doing some experiments on miking my guitar amp... I was wondering how my mxl 990 would sound. But since it is a condenser mic (and the only one I have for recording vocals) I don't want to damage it just for the sake of experimenting. Would miking a guitar cab damage my MXL990? what do I have to know about my mics to make this call?? Thanx for all the input....
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HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Oct 02, 2009 09:07 am SPL... Sound Pressure Level is the trait that you're refering to.
You should be fine micing a cab with that mic. Just don't put it right against the grill, and crank the hell out of it. : )
Give it a good 18" of space between 'em.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 02, 2009 10:39 am My 990 won't take the SPL even backed up a few feet. I have to put it back 4, 5 even 6 feet to keep it from distorting. That's a lot of room ambience versus actual guitar signal.
If you're going to use the 990, I'd suggest either doing it at lower volumes or pairing it with a dynamic mic that can take the punishment of being up against the grille cloth of a raging amp.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Oct 02, 2009 11:31 am Wow! Really? 4.5'-6'? Dang!
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Oct 02, 2009 01:12 pm In regards to Tad's posting, I would for sure use the 990 as a room mic but would never stick it up close unless playing a solid state at ridiculously low volumes, or through one of the tube amps that have wattage control (my vox does) so I can crank the tubes but lower the output power. All about the SPL rating.
In reality I end up about 10' away (in a good room) with my LDC and use a 57 right on the grill.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 02, 2009 01:57 pm Quote:
Wow! Really? 4.5'-6'? Dang!
Yeah, and that's with my amp's master at 8 or 9 and my power attenuator at -8 dB!
I tried it with my amp relatively wide open (8 or 9 is about all it can push without getting squirrely), no attenuation one time and it was just silly the amount of distortion that little mic generated. I thought I was overdriving my preamps or my DACs but after some experimenting, it turned out to be the mic. So I sat out to figure out how close I could get it at recording volumes and about 5 feet was the average at higher gain settings.
They started to make a 990 with a -10dB pad switch and a 80Hz rolloff switch (MXL 990s maybe?). I now see why they added those switches!
But all in all, the mic has survived those punishing sessions unscathed. No apparent damage to the diaphragm or anything...it still records whisper-quiet vocals with precision. Not so shabby for a $60 Chinese capsule, eh?
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Oct 02, 2009 02:21 pm Ditto Tad and Tripps, I've used a 990 quite a bit. You won't get a good sound close to the grill without a significant attenuator. Instead of buying an attenuator; SM57s are cheap...I would get one of them, stick it up against the grill and put the 990 10 feet away or so for room ambiance, if you have a good sounding room. Otherwise maybe use the SM57 and rely on reverb plugs for ambiance.
Oct 06, 2009 07:07 pm thanks for all the input :D
spraskGigging Bassist/Recording NoviceMember
Since: Jul 24, 2012
Jul 24, 2012 08:47 pm Still kinda new to recording with my Tascam 2488neo. I'm trying the MXL990 with a JC50, with the volume on less than 2, and I still get overload. I've tried adjusting trim, input volume, and creating distance between the mic and the amp, but that only makes it sound distant.I have the MXL991 (the "pencil condenser" sibling to the MXL990) as well. Is that a good mic to use for amps? I've been told the 57's are the only way to go.Thoughts??? THANKS!
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Jul 24, 2012 09:43 pm Well, I wouldn't say a 57 is the only way to go, but dynamic mics (which an SM57 is) tend to resist breakup at high SPLs better than condenser mics.
The pencil mic MIGHT work better (it's a small diaphragm condenser isn't it?) Otherwise maybe try moving the mic so it is off-axis, and not pointing dead center to the cabinet? Or rather what I mean is move the mic left or right of the grill, and point it back toward the cabinet so it' not hit with the full force. Something to try anyway.
spraskGigging Bassist/Recording NoviceMember
Since: Jul 24, 2012
Jul 25, 2012 12:28 am Thanks. J-bot. I'll give it a try. So, I guess the question would be: which would be the choice mic for recording amps? A dynamic mic, condenser mic, or cardioid mic? Or is it just a matter of preference? Thanks for all your input!!!
By the way, this is the best site I've seen for recording advice and on line "clinics". Everyone is very cool on this site.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Jul 25, 2012 12:36 am We try to be. :)
Cardioid is just a type of mic pattern; also known as "directional" The mic hears what is in front of it, less so off-axis, and not much at all from the back.
The other patterns are "Figure of 8" (think of it as a double-cardioid) and "Omni" (which is all directions) A dynamic cardioid pattern mic is usually the choice for guitar amps, but it can depend on the situation. The room, the style of music, etc. A softer acoustic-electric with a clean tone might justify a condenser, etc. But a good dynamic mic will usually be your go-to for cabs.
But yeah, right now, with what you have, give the pencil-mic a try, set it off to the side, a few inches back, and point it towards the center, see if that improves the situation any. If you can't get it to work no matter what you try, get a dynamic. SM57's are fairly inexpensive as far as mics go. Should be able to find one for less than $100. Or maybe ask around and see if you can borrow one from a fellow musician.
