If you all don't mind, would you please give me some pointers on how to get a good recorded sound? From what I've been able to glean from the net, I think a good starting point would be placing the SM57 at about half of the diameter of the speaker cone at a 45 degree angle, and mixing the condensor mic a few feet away? Mic levels should be adjusted so that it clips, then back off the volume just a bit? How loud should I push the amp?
Thanks,
Brad
Start with the 57 by itself, and experiment with your cab by putting the mic at a 90 degree angle to the grille in the center of the cone. Play with headphones on, and see how you like the tone. Move the mic a little further toward the edge, play, listen, move the mic more toward the edge, etc. It's so simple to get a good tone. If you have someone who can move the mic a while you play to find the sweet spot, that's often a help.
Most engineers in big studios prefer to have the 57 straight on, but a few will angle it. That's just personal preference and something to experiment with. Generally, closer to the cone = brighter, farther from the cone = darker, and angling the mic a little will distort the mic's diaphragm a bit less and give a slightly different vibe.
More hit records have been made this way than any of us can count. It's the classic way to record a guitar amp, and it's hard to screw up. If you've heard my recordings with a 57 (there are a couple in recent threads), for reference my technique was to use the 57 straight on the cone about an inch away from the grille. You'll find you get a great tone and you can crank the amp to whatever volume you like without breaking the mic in any case.
Don't screw around with both mics until you get using just the 57 down. In fact, it's the most unnecessary thing I can think of in recording guitar, and very few engineers do it. Many engineers will blend a second mic, but it'll be a ribbon, not a condenser. Use the condenser with your acoustic.
If you want a lot of room tone, to have the recording sound a bit more like the amp sounds in the room, I recommend putting the condenser near where your ears hear it. Most people don't listen to guitar amps at knee level, but for some reason put room mics there, then wonder why it doesn't sound like they hear it!
