Author Topic: Best mic for downtuned Guitar? (Read 4536 times)

Tricalibur · « **on:** January 25, 2007, 03:48:39 PM »

So am wanting to buy a mic for my guitar recording s sometime in teh future and I heard from a friend that an SM-57 may not be the best choice because its mofre tailored to highere frequencies. Now my friend is an experienced bass player and his dad has a recording studio downstairs so I assume he knows what he is talking about however I realy dont have the slightest I dea what mic would be good for my guitar if not a '57. BTW, I downtune to C and C#.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2007, 04:00:40 PM »

An SM57 runs flat from about 125Hz to about 4kHz. Definitely not the best choice for tracking low frequencies!

What you probably want to use for tracking is a large diagphragm condenser mic. These are often flat to about 20-30Hz.

A less expensive option would be to use something like a BLUE Ball mic, which is flat to about 40Hz, or the Kickball -- though the Kickball has a tailored response that is not true; there is a diode that emphasizes frequencies between 40-80Hz.

You might want to try doing what I do when I track bass guitar. I use an SM57 centered on one of the cones, and a large diaphragm condenser positioned to pick up the most bass frequencies. Then I combine the two.

Another option you might want to try is placing an omni mic, knee level, about 15' from the cabinet. You will get TREMENDOUS low frequency response from this mic, but you will want a close mic, too, for a more direct tone. Bring up the omni to taste, or use a lowpass filter.

MDV · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2007, 04:03:01 PM »

Well nile tune to drop A and use SM57s.

Other than that, bear in mind this is just me regurgitating what I've heard from others, I havent used them (yet):

E609
Audix i-5

Joe Dorcia · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2007, 05:08:23 PM »

What you are forgetting is that lower notes do not equal lower frequencies in such cases. If you use the same strings on a normal and downtuned guitar the amount of base will be pretty much the same. It depends on string gauge, pickups, amp setting etc.

In the studio i use SM-57 (2 inches awasy) and a condensor (3-4" away) works well, try and get two mics to record with, as you can equal each one different and pan them and you get a bigger fuller sound.

Hope it helps

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2007, 08:55:21 PM »

I'd still use a SM57 for recording downtuned guitars, I seriously doubt they'll fail you.

If you must capture the extreme low end, try an AKG D112 (classic kick drum and bass guitar cab mic)

:twisted:

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2007, 08:58:30 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

I'd still use a SM57 for recording downtuned guitars, I seriously doubt they'll fail you.

If you must capture the extreme low end, try an AKG D112 (classic kick drum and bass guitar cab mic)

:twisted:

I would never recommend a microphone that has a coloured frequency response to boost the low end. The fact is that an SM57 does not maintain linearity in the bass region.

Tricalibur · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2007, 03:26:46 PM »

^ yah I have some pretty big strings on my axe right now and over all my setup is quite bass heavy so I wanna be able to maintain the sound that I hear as much as possible with my reordings. Idealy I would like to have a two mic setup with one large diaphragm out maybe a few feet away and then like a smaller condenser or whatever up close. How expensive are the cheapest tube mics? Im just curious since I know even the cheapest would be insanely out of my range. Also, do yall prefer to record with a single 412 or two? Personaly I would prefer two.

Hell Hound · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2007, 04:11:31 PM »

I don't see the point at recording those low frequencies on guitars, even downtuned. The bass come from... the bass player :D
I do record some low tuned guitars and always cut them at about 100/150Hz, the bass guitar do the lows.
Just my 2 cents...

Skybone · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2007, 04:54:26 PM »

Try using mics that are designed for bass amps/snare/toms/etc like the Shure Beta 52/56.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2007, 12:46:10 AM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I'd still use a SM57 for recording downtuned guitars, I seriously doubt they'll fail you.

If you must capture the extreme low end, try an AKG D112 (classic kick drum and bass guitar cab mic)

:twisted:

I would never recommend a pickup that has a coloured frequency response to boost the low end. The fact is that an SM57 does not maintain linearity in the bass region.

I take it you meant to say 'mic' rather than 'pickup' (???)

SM57s and D112s always work for me, never used a condenser mic that sounded good on a guitar cab. I'm sure there are condenser mics out there that sound good for mic'ing guitars, but not in my price range.

I have a matched pair of Groove Tube GT-55 condensers that are beutiful for drum overheads, vocals and acoustic instruments but suck for guitar cabs.

:twisted:

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2007, 04:54:09 AM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

I take it you meant to say 'mic' rather than 'pickup' (???)

Yes. Brain fart, and orig. post corrected.