Q: I’ve read many articles about which mics to use on a guitar amplifier, and most agree that all you need is a Shure SM57 or maybe a step up with the Sennheiser 421. I’ve also read that a better mic placed out in the room adds depth. But here’s my question: My Fender Bassman Reissue has four speakers. Which one do I put the close mic on, and where do I point it exactly?
A: Many, many guitar recordings have been made using the Shure SM57! For example, Van Halen’s first engineer, Donn Landee, always used an SM57 on Eddie Van Halen’s 4×12 cabinet. There are of course, a myriad of mics on the market, and each can make a unique contribution to a recording’s sound. The only way to truly know what is best is to try some for yourself. Having said that, an SM57 is a great place to start! Having another mic available out in the room or placed differently will give more options and can indeed a sense of depth, “place,” and realism to a track.
It’s true that where you place the mic is just as important as which mic you use. But there is no “best” answer for everyone. In our experience, the closer to the speaker (or grille cloth) you get, the more critical mic placement becomes. We normally start with the mic pressed against the grille cloth about halfway between the speaker’s dustcap (center) and its edge. This often gives a nicely balanced sound that doesn’t overly emphasize any specific frequencies as can happen if you point the mic at the center or edge of the speaker. That said, you’ll want to move the mic around to find the “sweet spot.” Use your ears to decide what sounds best!
As for which speaker to mic in a 4×12, 2×12, 4×10 or other “multi-speaker” cabinet, your ears will have to decide that one. Try miking each speaker and listening to decide which one has the best overall tone for the particular track.
By the way, the same mic placement approach applies if you’re recording a combo amp with only one speaker, but if that’s the case, we recommend raising the amp up off the floor if possible so that the floor resonance is not affecting your recorded sound.