mics for bass

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Re: mics for bass

Post by ural »

bigchiefbc wrote:I'm bumping this because now that I'm finally rocking a tube head, I'm gonna need a good mic (no more DI for me, FUCK YEAH).

I've looked up the Beta 52 and the AKG D112, and a bunch of the other kickdrum mics, and the problem is that they all have a really big mid scoop, which is definitely not for me. So I'm trying to see if anyone knows of a mic that have relatively flat mids, but also doesn't roll off the lows. Any ideas?


I think ribbons are good for capturing freqs flat sound without roll offs. I have Woodpecker ribbon and it works well in pair with 52. But maybe some passive ribbon what is dedicated for loud sources (like Royer) could do it better?
Of course ribbons are expensive. Perhaps we should try a cheap ones - should be enough good for amp...
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Re: mics for bass

Post by ural »

ural wrote:
bigchiefbc wrote:I'm bumping this because now that I'm finally rocking a tube head, I'm gonna need a good mic (no more DI for me, FUCK YEAH).

I've looked up the Beta 52 and the AKG D112, and a bunch of the other kickdrum mics, and the problem is that they all have a really big mid scoop, which is definitely not for me. So I'm trying to see if anyone knows of a mic that have relatively flat mids, but also doesn't roll off the lows. Any ideas?


I think ribbons are good for capturing freqs flat sound without roll offs. I have Woodpecker ribbon and it works well in pair with 52. But maybe some passive ribbon what is dedicated for loud sources (like Royer) could do it better?
Of course ribbons are expensive. Perhaps we should try a cheap ones - should be enough good for amp...


Then of course placement of mics is very important: angle, distance from edge or center of speaker - all affects sound very seriously. Then mic preamps... Then phase correctors... Then strange sound resonators like Little Labs VOG... So - right recording setup is always process. :)
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Re: mics for bass

Post by bigchiefbc »

I probably should have specified, that I'm mostly looking for a mic for live use right now. And it's just going to be running straight into our mixer, so I'm not gonna have any crazy preamps or phase crap. I'm not looking for insane fidelity here, I just want my amp's sound to be represented well in our live mix, without scooping the crap out of the mids. And I'm looking to keep the mic down to a reasonable price (less than a couple hundred bucks, if possible)
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Re: mics for bass

Post by Chumley »

Heil PR30 or 40 would be ideal, but they're closer to $200. A Senn 421 would be nifty too, but they're also a little more pricy.

IIRC, the D112 doesn't have too much of a scoop, I'd give it a try before you write it off.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by Jero »

I've heard a lot of complaints about the d112 mid scoop but never used one so I can't say. I found these KAM bd2's today that are supposed to be similar and have slight mid boost compared. They are less than $100. I'm going to pick up one of them, plus an OSP 610 (around $50), and see what happens. If they aren't great, I won't be out a ton of money...otherwise I'd aim for the 421 or m88. Again, I've never used any of these, but seem like good options.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by bigchiefbc »

The Heil is in the $300 range, and the Sennheiser is just a bit below that. The M88 is over 300, so I'll pass on that one. Definitely not looking to spend that much on mic, hell that's more than I spent on my amp.

The D112 seems to have a pretty big mid-scoop based on the datasheet (between 5 and 10 dB from 300 to 1kHz), but I haven't had much of a chance to hear one in action.

I'll see if I can find info on those other two, Jero.
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Achtane wrote:I can hit it with a Blowing Up and it'll just sound awesome instead of like capacitors farting into each others' dicks.
Achtane wrote:
last.fm wrote:Zs makes music that is variously categorized as no-wave, post-jazz, brutal-chamber, brutal-prog, and post minimalist.
srsly?

Fuck you.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by ural »

bigchiefbc wrote:I probably should have specified, that I'm mostly looking for a mic for live use right now. And it's just going to be running straight into our mixer, so I'm not gonna have any crazy preamps or phase crap. I'm not looking for insane fidelity here, I just want my amp's sound to be represented well in our live mix, without scooping the crap out of the mids. And I'm looking to keep the mic down to a reasonable price (less than a couple hundred bucks, if possible)


if one for live - shure beta 52
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Re: mics for bass

Post by Mike »

I have had a pair of Heil PR40s for the past four years or so. I haven't used them for bass, but have used them for spoken word, 3hrs a week, 4+ years. Built like tanks in the USA. Able to withstand huge SPLs. Dynamics, but really sound like condensers. Response graphs on Heil's site.

If you decide to go with a Heil, check out R&L Electronics in Hamilton, OH. Bob Heil recommended them to me personally. They have the PR40 for $270, and the PR30 for $230. Not sure on shipping. You could likely get someone else to match it w/ free shipping if it ended up being expensive.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by bigchiefbc »

ural wrote:
bigchiefbc wrote:I probably should have specified, that I'm mostly looking for a mic for live use right now. And it's just going to be running straight into our mixer, so I'm not gonna have any crazy preamps or phase crap. I'm not looking for insane fidelity here, I just want my amp's sound to be represented well in our live mix, without scooping the crap out of the mids. And I'm looking to keep the mic down to a reasonable price (less than a couple hundred bucks, if possible)


if one for live - shure beta 52


I already mentioned the Beta as what I'm trying to avoid, as it has a pretty sizable mid-scoop.

The Heils are just too much money at this point.
Buy my gear! viewtopic.php?f=44&t=58763
Achtane wrote:I can hit it with a Blowing Up and it'll just sound awesome instead of like capacitors farting into each others' dicks.
Achtane wrote:
last.fm wrote:Zs makes music that is variously categorized as no-wave, post-jazz, brutal-chamber, brutal-prog, and post minimalist.
srsly?

Fuck you.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by ural »

bigchiefbc wrote:
ural wrote:
bigchiefbc wrote:I probably should have specified, that I'm mostly looking for a mic for live use right now. And it's just going to be running straight into our mixer, so I'm not gonna have any crazy preamps or phase crap. I'm not looking for insane fidelity here, I just want my amp's sound to be represented well in our live mix, without scooping the crap out of the mids. And I'm looking to keep the mic down to a reasonable price (less than a couple hundred bucks, if possible)


if one for live - shure beta 52


I already mentioned the Beta as what I'm trying to avoid, as it has a pretty sizable mid-scoop.

The Heils are just too much money at this point.


then 52 paired with 421 (or 57)
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Re: mics for bass

Post by bigchiefbc »

Thanks, but setting up two mics just for the bass cab would just be way over the top for the gigs I'm going to be playing.

And a 52 + a 421 would cost more than the Heils

Is there seriously no mic that is sub-$200 and can handle bass without scooping the mids? I can't be the only person on earth looking for this ...
Buy my gear! viewtopic.php?f=44&t=58763
Achtane wrote:I can hit it with a Blowing Up and it'll just sound awesome instead of like capacitors farting into each others' dicks.
Achtane wrote:
last.fm wrote:Zs makes music that is variously categorized as no-wave, post-jazz, brutal-chamber, brutal-prog, and post minimalist.
srsly?

Fuck you.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by The4455 »

bigchiefbc wrote:Thanks, but setting up two mics just for the bass cab would just be way over the top for the gigs I'm going to be playing.

And a 52 + a 421 would cost more than the Heils

Is there seriously no mic that is sub-$200 and can handle bass without scooping the mids? I can't be the only person on earth looking for this ...


The CAD KBM 412 is a kickbass/bass mic and goes down to 30 hz, I was talking to a profesional sound engineer the other day and he said that while he was using it he would blow out the clubs subwoofers quite often, it costs $70. So if you're looking for low end under $200 this could be a place to start.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/CAD-KBM412-Bass-and-Kick-Drum-Microphone-270774-i1126751.gc
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Re: mics for bass

Post by bigchiefbc »

The4455 wrote:
bigchiefbc wrote:Thanks, but setting up two mics just for the bass cab would just be way over the top for the gigs I'm going to be playing.

And a 52 + a 421 would cost more than the Heils

Is there seriously no mic that is sub-$200 and can handle bass without scooping the mids? I can't be the only person on earth looking for this ...


The CAD KBM 412 is a kickbass/bass mic and goes down to 30 hz, I was talking to a profesional sound engineer the other day and he said that while he was using it he would blow out the clubs subwoofers quite often, it costs $70. So if you're looking for low end under $200 this could be a place to start.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/CAD-KBM412-Bass-and-Kick-Drum-Microphone-270774-i1126751.gc


Image


:no:

Seems to be about the norm for kickdrum mics. I've always found smiley-face EQ on bass = completely disappear in the mix
Buy my gear! viewtopic.php?f=44&t=58763
Achtane wrote:I can hit it with a Blowing Up and it'll just sound awesome instead of like capacitors farting into each others' dicks.
Achtane wrote:
last.fm wrote:Zs makes music that is variously categorized as no-wave, post-jazz, brutal-chamber, brutal-prog, and post minimalist.
srsly?

Fuck you.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by The4455 »

bigchiefbc wrote:
The4455 wrote:
bigchiefbc wrote:Thanks, but setting up two mics just for the bass cab would just be way over the top for the gigs I'm going to be playing.

And a 52 + a 421 would cost more than the Heils

Is there seriously no mic that is sub-$200 and can handle bass without scooping the mids? I can't be the only person on earth looking for this ...


The CAD KBM 412 is a kickbass/bass mic and goes down to 30 hz, I was talking to a profesional sound engineer the other day and he said that while he was using it he would blow out the clubs subwoofers quite often, it costs $70. So if you're looking for low end under $200 this could be a place to start.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/CAD-KBM412-Bass-and-Kick-Drum-Microphone-270774-i1126751.gc


Image


:no:

Seems to be about the norm for kickdrum mics. I've always found smiley-face EQ on bass = completely disappear in the mix


Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying. :idk:

Making your own subkick is always an option, although not a prefered one of mine.
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Re: mics for bass

Post by ural »

bigchiefbc wrote:Thanks, but setting up two mics just for the bass cab would just be way over the top for the gigs I'm going to be playing.

And a 52 + a 421 would cost more than the Heils

Is there seriously no mic that is sub-$200 and can handle bass without scooping the mids? I can't be the only person on earth looking for this ...


Maybe solution is pairing 52 with DI?

What style of music you playing? Sometimes sound of scooped mid bass is not bad when blended with guitar. Look on doom history... :)
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