make-and-do
Was wondering: when doing nearfield/upclose recording of a guitar amp - does the size of the cab/speaker
make a big difference in the sound of the recording? For example say a Vox with a 12" speaker vs the exact same Vox but with a 10" speaker.
Obviously mounting the mic at different angles and aiming it nearer or away from the center of the cone
will result in different sounds on the recording, but does the cab size make a discernible difference at such a close distance?
domhatch
good question. will be watching the answers with interest. i have a feeling we'll get more than just answers tho...!
AlanRatcliffe
Yes it makes a difference. Speaker size/model makes the biggest difference, but the cab itself often affects the speaker - especially with closed back cabs.
make-and-do
Thanks Alan.
Yes I suppose the closed back would make a difference - air moving more.
I was just wondering, because a lot of people seem to use small valve amps in studio
which I suppose all have either 10 or 12inch speakers, yet still getting a "large" sound recorded.
Reverb probably plays a role there as well in making the sound bigger?
AlanRatcliffe
The main reason for guys using smaller amps in studio is that they are easy to drive hard at reasonable volumes and you can record them in a smaller room without the room adding compression or too much/too long a reverb. A smaller amp can still sound big in a small room particularly when you throw in some ambient mics or just back off the close mics a bit.
make-and-do
Yes I thought I might try having a Rode Condenser Mic further away, to grab a bit of room sound and then have an SM57 up close to the cone.
Got a Laney Cub10 recently for the purpose that I can drive it more at more reasonable volumes as you say. I love my AC15 but it's not exactly the most practical
in terms of recording levels at home. I don't mind, but I think my neighbours will ?
Speaking of the Cub...it being a new amp: I remember reading somewhere on the forum (I searched the archives and couldn't find it though)
about breaking in a new amp's speaker. Can I play music through it, via a cd player, and are you suppose to blast it at full volume and gain settings?
And for what duration of time? (Other than of course playing guitar through it)
AlanRatcliffe
Doesn't matter what input you use as long as you get the speaker moving - CD player, MP3 player, guitar, bass. It is more on the bass frequencies, so you can back off the treble if you want. You don't have to distort it, but more volume will break it in faster. Time depends on the speaker doping, but usually 24-48 hours will do it.
make-and-do
Cool, will do that. Thanks a lot for all the info (as per usual) ?
