Guitar Amp Mics under $200?

[asharrow]

Opinions and recommendations from the group on a Guitar Amp Mic under $200.

Mic's range in price from under $100 to infinity.

This mic would not be for studio recording use, but rather for playing in bars and outdoor festivals.

The Classic SM57 is always a good work horse choice. But given it is 2017, what would you buy for under $200 and why?

 

Thank You.

[rwinking]

I once listened to a mic shootout of all ribbon mics. Just for grins, the host threw in a 57 and it was almost laughable. I know that for recording Vai uses a ribbon (maybe a Royer 121?) and a 57 mixed together. That being said, almost all of the ribbons are cool for sound....really full, smooth and no high end screech. There are a lot of reasonably priced ribbons on the market now, but this one has become somewhat of an industry standard over the past ten years:

 

http://cascademicrophones.com/cascade_fathead_ribbon_mic.html

 

And still under $200!

 

The upside of a 57 is that (as someone once showed me) you can "pound nails with them." The ribbons need to be babied a little.

[TalismanRich]

Another popular one for guitar is the Sennheiser E609. They run just over $100 and it is similar to the SM57 with a somewhat crisper top end. You can literally drape it over the cabinet without a stand if you need to.

 

If you want to try a ribbon, the fellow from Sweetwater suggested to me checking out the SE X1R. Its a bit over $200. I haven't personally played with it tho. I was talking mics (looking at the Rode NT1) and he suggested I might check out the SE condenser and ribbon.

 

I have done some recording with a MXL V67G and like the sound of that one. It didn't have the pronounced top end rise of most lower cost condensers. It was a bit more natural.

[JeffB]

Another popular one for guitar is the Sennheiser E609. They run just over $100 and it is similar to the SM57 with a somewhat crisper top end. You can literally drape it over the cabinet without a stand if you need to.

 

If you want to try a ribbon, the fellow from Sweetwater suggested to me checking out the SE X1R. Its a bit over $200. I haven't personally played with it tho. I was talking mics (looking at the Rode NT1) and he suggested I might check out the SE condenser and ribbon.

 

I have done some recording with a MXL V67G and like the sound of that one. It didn't have the pronounced top end rise of most lower cost condensers. It was a bit more natural.

I used the Sennheiser for about 10yrs, as you say, just hang it in front of the speaker. No wasted space or extra mic stands to carry.

I have the SE XR1, I wouldnt gig or jam with it but it is cool for home.

Heres a vid I did. No real thought went into mic placement, just pointed in the general direction of where I think the best spot is.

[asharrow]

Thanks for the advice.

I was looking at the Sennheiser E609 and heard similar good reviews, a better mic than the SM57 but you have to baby it.

[kidsmoke]

What's the right mic for a guitar amp? A: Sennheiser E609. Done. $109.00 all day long. It's THE mic for this.

 

Like saying, what's the best tool to drive a nail. A: hammer.

You can use the heel of a shoe, but it may take a little longer.

 

Having said that, I spent a weekend as the chauffeur for Delbert McClintons band in 2011. His long time sound engineer was telling me he uses one mic live. ONE. For all vocalists, for mic'ing the drum kit, for mic'ing the amp cabs. ONE. SM57. The reason being: a it's a really good mic. Robust. Easy to mix, easy to service. and this way they need limited other equipment. Basically he said, hey if you're in the studio and can have dozens of specific tools, great, use them, but the 57 is a workhorse that does -everything- well.

 

I keep a E609 in my bag at all times. I use them at open mics to mic others, and when i play out with my 5W champ. At the price especially.

[t0aj15]

Having said that, I spent a weekend as the chauffeur for Delbert McClintons band in 2011. His long time sound engineer was telling me he uses one mic live. ONE. For all vocalists, for mic'ing the drum kit, for mic'ing the amp cabs. ONE. SM57. The reason being: a it's a really good mic. Robust. Easy to mix, easy to service. and this way they need limited other equipment. Basically he said, hey if you're in the studio and can have dozens of specific tools, great, use them, but the 57 is a workhorse that does -everything- well.

All the same reasons I bought a pair of Blue Encore 100's the last time they were on sale. They sound BETTER then SM-57's on everything and are very rugged at a better then SM-57 price. If strictly for amp use they also have a Blue Encore 100i for instruments.

all around....http://www.bluemic.com/products/encore-100/

instrument...http://www.bluemic.com/products/encore-100i/

[kidsmoke]

All the same reasons I bought a pair of Blue Encore 100's the last time they were on sale. They sound BETTER then SM-57's on everything and are very rugged at a better then SM-57 price. If strictly for amp use they also have a Blue Encore 100i for instruments

 

that sounds excellent. I still like the E609 for the drape over the cab functionality, particularly live.

 

but oh my!!!! check this deal...

http://www.pssl.com/!Kqnfe99Vtl7!lxQjY2KrmQ!/Blue-Encore-100-Dual-Mic-Pack-w-Stands-Cables?gclid=CjwKEAiArvTFBRCLq5-7-MSJ0jMSJABHBvp0M3sDzy8NsfGb3ZW2xAPGibbHESJtyuLUGy9kGB802RoCMELw_wcB

[bolero]

hmm E609 sounds like a good idea...no mic stand ( or teddy bear ) needed!!

[t0aj15]

 

that sounds excellent. I still like the E609 for the drape over the cab functionality, particularly live.

 

but oh my!!!! check this deal...

http://www.pssl.com/!Kqnfe99Vtl7!lxQjY2KrmQ!/Blue-Encore-100-Dual-Mic-Pack-w-Stands-Cables?gclid=CjwKEAiArvTFBRCLq5-7-MSJ0jMSJABHBvp0M3sDzy8NsfGb3ZW2xAPGibbHESJtyuLUGy9kGB802RoCMELw_wcB

That's what I paid for the mics alone. It's such a great price I just bought two more even though I don't need them at this time, (you can never have to many GOOD mics).

[bolero]

well today I picked up an E609

 

I like it!!

 

thanks guys

[big bob]

I mic my amp with a sm57, use a sm 58 for vocals.. never any problem, always sounds great.

[bolero]

I am pretty sure Peter Gabriel uses an sm57 as a vocal mic

 

amazing considering he can afford to use pretty much anything, including uber expensive U47's etc

 

[asharrow]

Thanks All - After way too much You Tubing and reading and looking at specs and cardiod patterns, I defaulted back to the tried and true SM57.

[tsp17]

Late addition: Dynamic mic alternative that has worked very well for me: Heil PR30. You can get them used (usually in great shape) for under $200. They sound great live and for recording. Built solid too.

[bolero]

after using the E609 for a while I have to say, I prefer the SM57 in front of a cranked amp

 

it is nice to have a different mic though. For some variety with different guitar parts

 

another good mic I have is a CAD Equitek 100. Bought it used for $200, but new they are more than that

[Kuz]

Late addition: Dynamic mic alternative that has worked very well for me: Heil PR30. You can get them used (usually in great shape) for under $200. They sound great live and for recording. Built solid too.

 

I use a SM57 when playing out and a Heil PR30 at home for recording. Nothing wrong with the SM57, it is to mics what Seth Lovers are to pickups. Meaning the SM57 is inexpensive, predictable sounding, not perfect but has been used by everyone at some point.

[tsp17]

 

I use a SM57 when playing out and a Heil PR30 at home for recording. Nothing wrong with the SM57, it is to mics what Seth Lovers are to pickups. Meaning the SM57 is inexpensive, predictable sounding, not perfect but has been used by everyone at some point.

hey Kuz. Curious why you SM57 when you play live rather than the Heil PR30? Do tell...

[Kuz]

hey Kuz. Curious why you SM57 when you play live rather than the Heil PR30? Do tell...

 

The Heil is 2.5x the cost as a 57 and I don't have to worry about the 57 getting stolen or broken.

[tsp17]

 

The Heil is 2.5x the cost as a 57 and I don't have to worry about the 57 getting stolen or broken.

Yep.