mic types
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Posted on Mar 06, 2003 02:04 pm
FunkDadyP
No Commercial Appeal.
Member Since: Jan 09, 2003
i am looking to mic a guitar and bass amp. what type of mic should i buy; dynamic, condenser, cardioid. i'm just a bit confused as to what mics are for which situation. can i use any kind of mic depending on the sound i want?
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Mar 06, 2003 02:33 pm A good dynamic mic will do the trick for those purposes. A Shure SM57 would be my choice for an inexpensive, versatile dynamic. For guitars, it's great to double mic the amp. One dynamic up close and a condensor a little farther back. See the article on Advanced Guitar Micing Techniques by jues for more about this. For a nice inexpensive condensor, check out the Octava MK319. With bass, I generally like to record it direct. Otherwise, you might try running a direct line and use a dynamic up close to the cabinet. Then mix to taste.
SM57 - service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear
MK319 - service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 06, 2003 06:49 pm First Dynamic and Condenser are two types of microphone electricaly. Dymanic microphones fairly heavy diaphram to move. They will withstand higher volume levels than condensors but are not as sensitive. Dymanics will also take more of a beating so are usually prefered for on stage. Condensors are more fragile both to volume of sound and physical abuse. Condensors also require a "phantom power" to make them work. This is part of how they can be more sensitive.
Omni, Figure eight, Cardoid, SuperCardiod, and shotgun are pick up paterns of condensor microphones. Each has prefered application in recording. Dymanics are more limited to the number of available pick up paterns.
With all that said, check out The Gear Bag. There are a few mics there already rated. Probably the best for the money for the most part.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 07, 2003 07:03 am Nearly everythings been covered already.
An SM-57 will do a good job at mic'ing both Guitar and Bass Cabs and is relativly inexpensive.
However, as already suggested - I would personally DI the bass (There will be a "DI" output on the Back of the Amp somewhere) - this will give you greater control over the Sound. Also - be very careful if you want to Mix DI'd and Mic'd Signals - you will often run into a whole world of phasing issues - it's easier to just use one or the other.
jues.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 07, 2003 07:38 am Good point Jues,
How far out of phase do you usualy find the two signals?
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 07, 2003 07:48 am How long's a piece of string?
It all depends - but you have to remember that I DI'd signal is coming stragiht from the AMP circuitary and then down a calbe to the mixer.
The Mic'd signal is going from the amp, via the Cab Feeder cable, out of the Cab's diaghphrams (speakers) - through the air, picked up by the Mic's diaphragm, converted into an electrical impulse, transfered down a cable and finally in to the mixer.
One signal path is a LOT longer than the other!
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 07, 2003 07:55 am Ya, makes good sense. Sorry just to lazy to think it through. First cup of coffee. I'll have to play with that a little when time allows.
FunkDadyPNo Commercial Appeal.Member
Since: Jan 09, 2003
Mar 09, 2003 05:52 pm quote: "Omni, Figure eight, Cardoid, SuperCardiod, and shotgun are pick up paterns of condensor microphones"
i was just checking out the Shure website. i have an sm58 and it says that it is a "unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic vocal..."
What gives?
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Mar 09, 2003 06:53 pm Uni-directional is just another name for Hyper-Cardiod - it means it will reject a lot of the sound from the sides and rear.
jues.
