Guitar, Amp too loud?
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Posted on Feb 15, 2008 11:58 am
Linkamus
Member Since: Feb 15, 2008
I've always heard that when recording guitar, the louder you can have your amp, the better. I'm recording with an SM57, and a KSM27, both are right up close to the speakers. Playing through a mesa dual rectifier 100w, with a 1960a marshall cab. My mix between the 2 microphones sounds pretty good, but it almost sounds like it's getting a little overdriven through the mic. I'm wondering if this is because my amp is turned up too loud? I've got it cranked so that it's shaking the whole house. I don't dare turn it up any louder. Should I turn down my amp, or is there a differn't solution?
Oh, by the way I'm using basic XLR monster cables, into a multimix16 firewire into cubase. And I have recorded drums with this same setup and they sound fantastic. I'm only having this problem with the guitar.
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 15, 2008 12:05 pm Hoo-Boy, your neighbors must LOVE you! =).
I doubt the 57 is a problem, but the KSM may be distorting. Can you solo each track and see if only one is doing it?
If it's both, then maybe a speaker is breaking up weird, or blown?
Also, if it's in both, then it could be the cabinet buzzing, or the floor buzzing, or windows, doors, etc. Heck, if it's that loud, them maybe the neighbor's cow is buzzing =).
(just kidding on that last part).
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 15, 2008 12:08 pm Oh yeah, two mics can create comb filtering, if they're out of phase.
If you solo one and it sounds good, then you solo the other, and it sounds good, but it sounds a little 'off' when both play, then I'd bet that's it.
Find a peak on a waveform, and zoom in real close to the waveform, and nudge one to match up with the other. That should fix it. Even a teeny bit off can give you bogus results.
Feb 15, 2008 12:15 pm thanks for the advice. I will check these things when I get home from work. I do have the 15db switch on on the ksm27. The manual for the mic said that switch on, should prevent it from overloading.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Feb 15, 2008 12:20 pm I'm thinking it is probably the KSM27 that is getting overdriven. Have you switched the 15 dB pad?
n/m - just read your post after I made mine. The Shure site states that the KSM27 can handle up to 135 dB. I'm thinking a fully cranked 100W amp is going to be more than 135 dB so it could very well be too much SPL's for the KSM27.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 15, 2008 02:51 pm Do a Google search for "power attenuator" and have a look at the offerings from THD, Weber, Marshall, etc.
Wow, a 100w Mesa, one of the most efficient amp designs known to man. It can make 100 watts sound like 1000 :D
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 17, 2008 07:56 pm And just a point here about the louder the better thing.
That is dead wrong. Especially with the Mesa. The Mesa can saturate long before it reaches peak volume. So recording can be done with heavy distortion at a much lower level.
And you will get a much better sound at a lower level as well without stressing out the mic or the neighbor's.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Feb 17, 2008 09:32 pm what's the wattage and ohms on the cab?
are they compatible?
Maybe the cab is getting the hiding of its life.
Mesa's rule.
