Bass Cab Mics

Montevideo · Post by **Montevideo** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:14 pm

Hey, this is my first time posting here...sweet.

What do you guys recommend if I want a good, low priced maybe dynamic mic to use on a bass cab? Condensers too, but the ones I think work for this aren't really inexpensive.

I've been using a Beta52 and not liking it at all. I'm looking for an alternative around the same price, $200.

I know a 421 will do great but again I'm looking for something that will cost maybe a bit less.

Thanks doooods for the suggestions

jakeao · Post by **jakeao** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:01 pm

I've used an Oktava 319, and a 219. Both with good results.

weatherbox · Post by **weatherbox** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:02 pm

A used 421 shouldn't be *that* much over $200... it and the SM7 are my bass cab favorites. Audio Technica ATM-25 is good too, and goes between $50 and $200. I know, weird. They were originally about $90 I think but since getting canned have gotten more expensive. I'd have paid $130 for it and still been pretty happy. I like it for kick drum more than bass cab, but still solid.

googacky · Post by **googacky** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:17 pm

I like the D112 on bass cabs more than a 52. The 52 has such a crazy sculpted frequency response that it can really alter what you're hearing coming out of the cab. The D112 has some dips and peaks as well, but they're less obtrusive.

All that said, I use a Beyer M380 a lot and I like a 4033 if I'm reaching for a condenser.

Montevideo · Post by **Montevideo** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:29 pm

jakeao wrote:I've used an Oktava 319, and a 219. Both with good results.

I have two 319s. I've just been scared of putting one of them in front of a 8x10 cab with a 350w SVT head at full blast

I'm assuming you have the pad on when you're doing this. Should I be concerned with SPL handling? Maybe make sure the bass player doesn't go apesh!t with volume?

trodden · Post by **trodden** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:30 pm

bass mic variations that I normally use:

421 and a cad e100 (older version)
re-20 and a cad e100 (older version)
atm-25 and a cad e100 (older verson)

use 421 can be found around $200.

I think i paid $125 for my cad e100

re-20, your looking at the $300 range. Heil has some mics that are similar i believe that are a little less

or the same as above but with a at4047 in place of the cad.

I have DI from a radial passive DI box as well. Sometimes it gets used as is or reamped, sometimes it doesn't get used.

Montevideo · Post by **Montevideo** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:35 pm

What about those Sennheiser 609 or 906 or whatever they're called. Have you dudes tried any of these?

kayagum · Post by **kayagum** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:41 pm

Welcome to the board!

All good suggestions.... if you're willing to save an extra $50/$100 and get a Heil PR30/PR40, or an extra $150 to get a SM7, you'll end up with a mic that does a lot more than bass cabs. ATM25 is a good sleeper mic.

906 has adjustable EQ (one presence filter switch: bright, moderate, dark). The bright setting is probably the same as the 609. Medium is my favorite.

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:43 pm

Montevideo wrote:What about those Sennheiser 609 or 906 or whatever they're called. Have you dudes tried any of these?

yeah the e609 silver is pretty damn good on bass cab..

kayagum · Post by **kayagum** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:58 pm

Update: the 906 switch:

bright = e609 silver (designed to compete with SM57)
dark = e609 black (original version, supposedly similar design to MD409).

The switch seems to work at 4kHz.

joelmoore · Post by **joelmoore** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:05 pm

Welcome...

I like the Audix D-6 for bass and kick drum. Great price Good mic.

syrupcore · Post by **syrupcore** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:14 pm

I little more but the Heil PR40 is fantastic on the two cabs I've used it on. Can be used on a lot more than bass cab.

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:14 pm

I would recommend checking out the Beyer Opus 65 (I think). It's supposedly the same mic as the older TGX-50, which is a terrific bass mic. I've also had good luck with the AKG D112, EV RE20, and Beyer M201. There are also a bunch of older and/or much more expensive mics that I really dig on bass amp, but those are the ones I like that fit your particular requirements.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

chris harris · Post by **chris harris** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:23 pm

I like recording bass cabs at lower volumes. If you have to crank it to get the tone you're after, pull the mic back some. But, I usually get a better, more defined sound from a bass cab at reasonable volumes.

md421 is good.
I also like the Fathead II pulled back a couple of feet from the speaker.

The cool thing about both of those mics is that they're both super useful on several other sources.

an SVT that loud is probably distorting and overdriven. If that's the sound you're after, a ribbon mic a few feet from the cab can be a beautiful thing.

A.David.MacKinnon · Post by **A.David.MacKinnon** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:01 pm

I used a MXL 2001 on some re-amped bass tracks last week with surprisingly good results. I don't know why I was surprised but there you go.

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