Micromaphones!

[Brow]

Before my bandmate got the M-Audio MobilePre USB Audio interface, he used to record with an SM58 direct into his soundcard. I was amazed by the quality of some of his recordings to be honest.

A big part of recording is experimentation. There's a million and 1 ways to mic an amp, finding 1 that works for your amp and the sound you want to achieve can sometimes take a while.

[Muttley]

Before my bandmate got the M-Audio MobilePre USB Audio interface, he used to record with an SM58 direct into his soundcard. I was amazed by the quality of some of his recordings to be honest.

Yeah, you can get something out of a mic that way.  Having a decent pre makes it easier to get the level up though.

A big part of recording is experimentation. There's a million and 1 ways to mic an amp, finding 1 that works for your amp and the sound you want to achieve can sometimes take a while.

Spot on.  Experimantation is the key.  Anything you read on the web or in books is one persons take on how to do things, and may be a good starting point but there is no "right" way to do this.

Rule #1: Trust your ears.

Muttley

[MDV]

SDE: I tried the line outs: no success at all! No signal. It took ages to get the mic to work because of a gammy adapter. I couldnt be arsed fixing it twice! I'll get/make another and try it again.

Right. I found an SM57 new for 60 english beer tokens sterling, so I'll get that. Then I know my mics decent, and can eliminate it from consideration.

Then I'll muck around and see what works for me.

Rule #1: Trust your ears.

Amen! That, I can do!

Thanks again for all your help, guys! (especially muttley! you're a scholar and a gentleman sir)