What is your favourite mic for Bass guitar?

[Bossman]

What is your favourite microphone for Bass guitar? For recording, and/or for live sound?

So far I've had good results with an Audix D6, a Beyerdynamic M99, or a Sennheiser MD421.

(I do various styles, but mostly rock/punk kind of stuff!, and it usually gets combined with a DI)

I'm just looking for recommendations for other microphones to try!

Thanks in advance!

[cfb4]

Used to use my trusty RE 20 a lot - quite fond of the sound. 421 too. Always DI as well though - with either a BSS or a Mercenary w/ Jensen. I *never* use(d) the built in DIs on bass heads.

[Freuman]

Totally depends on the live bass sound, it's quite often nowadays that I don't use the mic tracks in the mix at all!

D112, SM57, MD421, Beta 52, U87...it varies unbelievably. But always with clean DI track and a Sansamp coloured track!



I'm interested by the remark of never using a head's built-in DI, it depends on the head! I once got a beautiful SVT style sound from a mid-priced Peavy head which was ideal for the application.

So all in all...it depends!

[The Elf]

I rarely find the need to mic a bass cab these days, but if I do (or I’m re-amping) I’ll turn to the old stalwarts, the D112 and MD421. Next time I need to do this I’m going to try my ADK S7; I’ve used this on kick and guitar cab so far and I’m very impressed with what I’m hearing.

[ronmac]

"It depends." Should be the opening line on most posts.

In addition to other suggestions, I have also used an Audio Technica ATM25 (why did they disco such a nice mic?!!) and a Shure SM7B for bass duty. I have had a lot of requests, usually from Blues bands, to use a SM57, no DI.

[Persuazion]

We've got a nice Ashdown head kicking about here that has a great DI with sub harmonic function too. Sounds great. Very ampeg in style.

That often does the job combined with either an RE20 or a D6. Never liked the D112. D12 - Maybe.

also,.. the bass it's self is rather important

[Mixedup]

It's a while since doing any live stuff, but I rarely miked when I did.

In the studio, usually I'd go for a D12 or RE20 for the low bass stuff; occasionally a compressed SM58 for a bit more bite. Often use a condenser backed of the cab a bit — one application in which the Blue Dragonfly does a grand job. But I almost always use it alongside the DI, and invariably running through an emulator like Ampeg SVX or Softube Bass Amp Room. Need to make sure you get phase-alignment when doing mic+DI, or multiple mics.

But as everyone has said, pick a horse for the course...

[narcoman]

indeed "it depends"..... but generally. Bass cab in it's own room - dynamic on the edge of the cone and SM7 three feet back at the top of the cab. Lil Labs phase box to bring em into line ...and BLAMMMM...... proper rock bass with air around it...... Anything else - DI through a U5 and occasionally the Beatles backward speaker trick.

[Freuman]

occasionally the Beatles backward speaker trick.

Now I'm intrigued...

Do you mean sub-kick speaker as a mic styley or something I should be whipped for being unaware of?

[JamesSimpson]

Fender Bassman, 15inch cone. U87 just off centre from the cone, RE20 or 57 sometimes both.

[. . . Delete This User . . .]

Hmmm..

Condensers
expensive U47 FET

mid range SE gemini

Cheap. Groove tubes Gt55

Dynamics

MD421
RE20

AKG D112 , on heavy dirty rock bass, it works better than you might expect...
AT Pro25

any cheaper and i'd rather use a DI box.

[Steve Hill]

Always a BSS DI, but always a mic feed as well. U47FET is probably my favourite, but I like the EV RE27 or RE20 and/or an MD412. I've had fun with a D12 as well.

[maxspeed]

I got an excellent result recently using a Kick Ball - I dont see them mentioned very often but i love mine - got a beautiful 'plummy' tone. Its a 'powered dynamic' apparently - havent a clue what that means...
Plus a rode nt1a on the horn for some 'bite'.

[TurboD]

I'm a fan of Radial DIs, or Ridge Farms Gas Cooker at the upper end of the scale. But miking-wise, U47 or D12 usually. For rock and growlier, toppier tones sometimes a 421.