Back to cabs

[FrankD77]

After adding the ENGL 920 i can use my cab easily again besides the captor X so time to add the mics.

It's a marshall cab with blackbacks
At the moment setup with a AT2035 and MXR R144

Testing tomorrow
Set them up pretty accurate, if needed which allignment software do you guys use ?

 

[Genghis]

Nice setup. Nothing quite like mics on a cab. IRs are very close, but not quite there yet.

I use Melda’s MAutoAlign to line up the mics for my cabs when needed. I run two cabs with an SE VR2 ribbon mic on the Mather V30 cab and a Roswell Cab Mic on the EVH cab. Last session had to delay one of the mics by 3 samples and it had just a bit more crispness after lining them up. If it doesn’t improve the tone I just remove the plugins.

 

[FrankD77]

I'll first try manual. It's a fixed setup that doesn't change but for acoustics when there is a slight movement i thought it could be handy. Seeing the Price I'll start manual

 

[MirrorProfiles]

play a 50hz or 60 sine wave in if you’re concerned about phase and see how they line up. Eyeballing the capsules distance should get you most of the way there though.

But also - why blend to begin with? I’d focus on getting one mic in the right place and you might not need the other. Once you’re very familiar with each mic, you’ll know whether one really adds something to the other one. Earlier on I’d be spending the time finding out where each mic is happiest on the cab

 

[FrankD77]

play a 50hz or 60 sine wave in if you’re concerned about phase and see how they line up. Eyeballing the capsules distance should get you most of the way there though.

But also - why blend to begin with? I’d focus on getting one mic in the right place and you might not need the other. Once you’re very familiar with each mic, you’ll know whether one really adds something to the other one. Earlier on I’d be spending the time finding out where each mic is happiest on the cab

My first business was a recording studio (many moons ago) loads have changed. Micing itself and knowing where is not a real problem. Although these mics are totally different and a lot cheaper

I always combine two mics. One bright one dark and according to what I need I'll blend them. It's a fixed setup. For the rest I'm using genome IRs.

In the past i checked phase on the console and adjusted of necessary in the room. That was on tape :). When i build my home studio it was all digital with ir. Tube pre/power amp into the capture and love the IRs. But wanted to try this too again with modern solutions.

But ears are still best i heard :)

 

[MirrorProfiles]

In the past i checked phase on the console and adjusted of necessary in the room. That was on tape :)

Nothing has changed in this regard. There are tools out there that can help you align, but whether or not it sounds better is totally subjective and case dependent with what it gives you. I always think putting the mics in the right place and listening is the best way.

If you’re totally stuck with badly recorded tracks, alignment tools can be helpful. But usually I’d hope things were captured with purpose and intention and don’t need salvaging after the fact.

 

[FrankD77]

Totally agree. Little bit of "chorus" effect can be cool when mixed left/right.

It's the hidden ocd i guess

 

[FrankD77]

there is a slight "chorus" effect on the dirty sounds. Clean is better than what I can get with IRs (more depth).

Will try to get the mics closer to each other tomorrow to see if that improves.

Waveforms allign perfectly without adjusting (ruler still works)

Tomorrow testing both mics on the cone but on two different speakers.

 

[bikescene]

there is a slight "chorus" effect on the dirty sounds. Clean is better than what I can get with IRs (more depth).

Will try to get the mics closer to each other tomorrow to see if that improves.

Waveforms allign perfectly without adjusting (ruler still works)

Tomorrow testing both mics on the cone but on two different speakers.

Have you tried nudging tracks to get the zero crossings to be aligned? That might help with the chorusing.

 

[FrankD77]

How do you mean ?
The screenshot is zoomed in a lot.
As far as I can see it lines up perfectly.

I'll do the same Tomorrow with a noise signal. This was a kick.

Have you tried nudging tracks to get the zero crossings to be aligned? That might help with the chorusing

 

[bikescene]

How do you mean ?
The screenshot is zoomed in a lot.
As far as I can see it lines up perfectly.

I'll do the same Tomorrow with a noise signal. This was a kick.

I think using a kick is a good source for this type of alignment.

I've crudely marked up in red where the zero crossings don't match up. The bottom track appears to be closer to the cab. When I try to phase align manually, I try to get those periodic crossings to remain as close to 0 when summed.

Anyway, nudging the track is just something you can play with before you get a chance to re-position the mics.

 

[FrankD77]

ok.
I checked where the line is in the screen. That one lined up perfectly.
The level on both is different i did not match that. It's one ribbon and one large condensor.

I never did this digital so correct me if I'm wrong.
I'll download a trial version of the auto allign software when I'm done position wise.

After i know how to get it perfect (and hearing it) it's time to experiment

 

[bikescene]

ok.
I checked where the line is in the screen. That one lined up perfectly.
The level on both is different i did not match that. It's one ribbon and one large condensor.

I never did this digital so correct me if I'm wrong.
I'll download a trial version of the auto allign software when I'm done position wise.

After i know how to get it perfect (and hearing it) it's time to experiment

Let us know how the experimentation goes.

I have a similar MXL ribbon, the R80, and it really smooths out the sound even pointed straight center.

 

[FrankD77]

Let us know how the experimentation goes.

I have a similar MXL ribbon, the R80, and it really smooths out the sound even pointed straight center.

Tomorrow test 2
I did reroute the mics to dedicated pre amps instead of the x32. So also curious how much that will add

 

[FrankD77]

Pre amps makes a rather big difference.
Both are cheaper tube preamps so they do color. Which for guitars i like.

Setup two mics each on its own speaker.
Distance measured and in Max zoom almost perfect alligned.

Cleans are very nice. Better than with both on one speaker. Dirty needs a bit more EQ but the end result is great so far.

Next experiment with smaller condensers straight on the cab. My iso box is probably also reflecting low and mids back to the mics (both figure 8)