Topic: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
Hi All
Receiving my SM57 tomorrow ... It's my first time mic'ing up my amplifier - anyone have any tips for me or things to do/not to do?
Thanks!
P.S. It is a 4x12 1960A Cab
- Jlowther
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2 2012-05-03 14:49:11 (edited by Rocket 2012-05-03 14:56:51)
- Rocket
- BONAMEGAMETAL
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
Experiment!!!
Your ears will judge fine. You will figure it out. 
Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
ok-think your guitar pickups, so off center at the edges resembles bridge (anti-node) thinner, harmonics, lower output level, and on center resembles center placed-warmer, fatter, punchy, brighter, presence, fundamentals, all those subjective terms. Distance placing affects level, "color", ambiance, etc.
Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here. I mean, there are professionals in here.”
"http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here. I mean, there are professionals in here.”
Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
I usually place mine slightly off centre of one of the top speakers. I marked the centre of the speaker with a tiny dot on the grille, so less than an inch away from that.
- Jlowther
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
Thanks a lot for the replies 
What about the angle of the mic itself? Facing the grill?
I will experiment I'm just curious as to what your preferences are
5 2012-05-03 15:59:19 (edited by Rocket 2012-05-03 16:02:11)
- Rocket
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
Jlowther wrote:
Thanks a lot for the replies
What about the angle of the mic itself? Facing the grill?
I will experiment I'm just curious as to what your preferences are
Facing the grill but not directly at the speaker (imagine an ever increasing cone of sound projecting straight out of and extended from the speaker cone geometry) yields myriad "off-axis" "coloring", which means placement becomes like an extension of your tone control knobs on every piece of equipment in the audio signal chain independent (but really heavily affecting the net result sonically) of amp settings, rack outboard and pedals settings. There are too many possibilities to state my preferences, although I like about 3/4 to 7/8 of cone diameter's distance off center with a zero to about 18 degrees radian from perpendicular to both the planar surfaces of the cone and the grill (18 degrees is about 1/20 of 360 degreesmor 10% of facing 180 degees, or completely away azimuth from amp speaker ), distance and elevation modified on the spot to taste....for starters...
Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! "
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here. I mean, there are professionals in here.”
"http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here. I mean, there are professionals in here.”
6 2012-05-03 16:34:47 (edited by Jlowther 2012-05-03 16:34:57)
- Jlowther
- Titanium
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
Rocket wrote:
Jlowther wrote:Thanks a lot for the replies
What about the angle of the mic itself? Facing the grill?
I will experiment I'm just curious as to what your preferences are
Facing the grill but not directly at the speaker (imagine an ever increasing cone of sound projecting straight out of and extended from the speaker cone geometry) yields myriad "off-axis" "coloring", which means placement becomes like an extension of your tone control knobs on every piece of equipment in the audio signal chain independent (but really heavily affecting the net result sonically) of amp settings, rack outboard and pedals settings. There are too many possibilities to state my preferences, although I like about 3/4 to 7/8 of cone diameter's distance off center with a zero to about 18 degrees radian from perpendicular to both the planar surfaces of the cone and the grill (18 degrees is about 1/20 of 360 degreesmor 10% of facing 180 degees, or completely away azimuth from amp speaker
Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
Thanks very much for the informative reply
Thank God I do A-level maths otherwise I wouldn't have understood a single word! 
- Devan
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
I normally mic my Mesa Boogie MkIIB with the SM57 almost touching the front grille, pointing straight at the speaker halfway between the cone and edge.
But, experimenting is fun too, and there are probably another 58457386 positions that sound better. Just be aware of ear fatigue when experimenting though - take breaks, oh, and keep a log book of good and bad spots...
JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
I tend to go just straight on (so no angle), about an inch from the grill...though that is give or take some distance. And I have it about midway between the centre and the edge of the speaker.
- Jlowther
- Titanium
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
Interesting that you both use the exact same place...I'll try that one first then I guess!
Thanks, again!
- AD3THREE
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Re: SM57 and Mic'ing Techniques
I've heard of some people putting the mic in the cabinet if the tone is too bright, come to think of it I think thats what Joe said when talking about a Blues Deluxe because he thought the amp tone was too shrill. I like mine an inch away from the speaker and closer to the edge of the cone away from the center.