Microphone Choice

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 6 Dec 2002 4:19 pm

Hi Forum:

If you play "Hawaiian" music, what kind of microphone do you use to mike your amp?

(Please also mention what kind of guitar and amp you use--and perhaps the player whose tone you most idolize, if any)

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 7 Dec 2002 7:15 am

Aloha Jeff
You do keep the forum alert with your diverse postings.
This one I think belongs in the Electronics section.

For the best recorded sound I personally would go for a Large capsule condensor mike placed about 10" off centre from the speaker, and mix it with a little D.I.
(Off centre is better because it avoids the type of phase cancellations and differentials you can get if you're too central to the speaker cone.)
Also a semi cardiod respose setting would be optimal.

As for types of mikes and brand names the large capsule condensor mikes go from Oktava up to the top of the range AKG tube or Neumans. My personal choice is the "Beyer" MC-740, oh and I almost forgot , It is an almost mandatory practise nowadays to use a Valve mike processor, my choice is the TLA Audio VP 5051.
Aloha Nui Aikane
Bruddah Baz (The Happa Haole Colonial)
www.waikiki-islanders.com
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Steel players do it without fretting

http://www.waikiki-islanders.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

[This message was edited by basilh on 07 December 2002 at 07:17 AM.]

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 7 Dec 2002 8:39 am

SM 57
old tube amp
Rickenbacker or any guitar

GB

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 7 Dec 2002 9:08 am

This topic will be better suited for the Electronics forum, so I've moved it there from No Peddlers.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 7 Dec 2002 9:35 am

I don't play Hawaiian, but a SM57 is my choice for miking amps.

Be sure not to center it on the speaker, there'a a dead spot in the center of all speakers. I place mine about halfway betweent the center and rim.

That's for live.

For recording I like two mikes. A 57 as described above, and a SM58, or better, about 10 feet away, depending on the room.

You might browse the "Mike Forum". http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 7 Dec 2002 10:23 am

Aloha Jeff! I think for the money, the SM57 works great for live and studio. I don,t record but for club work my fender 65 deluxe and a SM57 covers alot of ground. Stevie Ray Vaughns first two albums were recorded with SM57 mikes, and a steel guitar player out of Austin adjusted the tone on the amps and positioned the mikes. I can't remember his name, but wow, what a great ear! The band played live on the first album, in the corner of a empty warehouse and added the vocals later.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 7 Dec 2002 10:43 am

Jeff Peterson was working some with Stevie when Jeff was still in Texas--I wonder if that was him. He has a great ear, for sure...

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 8 Dec 2002 2:06 am

Much mahalo to you all you guys for the expertise!

I'd been sticking the mike straight into the center of the speaker...how lolo-brained of me. [This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 08 December 2002 at 02:14 AM.]