line out vs. Mic

Crowderfan · 12-14-2003, 09:38 PM

My last thread got me questioning... is mic'ing an amp always the way to get the best sound? I know that line outs on most amps are just from the pre-amp... do emulated line outs provide better output? Thanks!

ApparentlyNothing · 12-14-2003, 10:59 PM

Miking is always always always the best way to go, IMO. Amps are designed to be used with the guitar signal going through the preamp, then the poweramp, then the speaker. If you go out the line out, you cut out both the poweramp side and the speaker side. Both of them effect your sound incredibly. Miking will always give you the best sound intended by the manufacturer. Sometimes though, line outs are good for certain things, including convenience. But you asked for the best sound, so thats my answer.

**Sean** · 12-15-2003, 12:23 AM

Assuming you have a decent mic and you don't have some form of incredible emulator, micing is almost always better. Convience of course would be a good reason to go direct however.

A big problem with any direct system is that it is unnatural. Instruments are almost always heard in an enivornment. Therefore environment is natural sounding. Going direct removes environment. To put any form of environment you have to use something to fake it (effects, emulators). Most agree that natural sounds done naturally are prefered.

**thesteve** · 12-15-2003, 01:03 AM

micing is good when you can do it...like you have a big enough room to get your amp to a level where it's a good deal.

line out is good when you need to keep your amp at a relatively low volume in the room, but want a good guitar in the mix. this allows you to run your amp quietly while being able to crank it at the soundboard.

personally...like everyone else says...mic when you can.

Avalanche 126 · 12-16-2003, 06:47 PM

using a line out on an amp unless its like a line 6 that has the xlr outs, kills all sound and tone your amp puts out. micing an amp is always the best way to go, more directly using an instrument mic.

ApparentlyNothing · 12-16-2003, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalanche 126

using a line out on an amp unless its like a line 6 that has the xlr outs, kills all sound and tone your amp puts out. micing an amp is always the best way to go, more directly using an instrument mic.

Even then, its never gonna be as good to go direct out than miking. I dont care what new technology line 6 puts out, or any other company for that matter. Emulating will never be as good as the real thing. Why do you think that the biggest and best amp companies still make amps with tubes? Because nothing has ever sounded exactly like a tube amp besides a tube amp. Its the same with the sound that comes out of your amp's or cab's speaker. No cab or speaker emulatore will ever sound like what it really sounds like going through a guitar speaker. So if at all possible and if your seeking the best sound quality, always mic your amp. If your looking for convenience or you dont have the availability of a good instrument mic, then you can go through your speaker emulators and xlr outs.

Sorry if it sounds like im bashing you avalanche. I'm actually agreeing with you. I'm just a tone purist, so I had to make sure it was clear, nothing sounds as good as the real thing.

Avalanche 126 · 12-17-2003, 08:27 PM

dude, im the same way.....@ my church, i refuse to put my Marshall Valve thru a line out direct box, it sounds horrible. the only thing i was tryin to make a point on is if you are going to try and use a line out, go for an xlr out which is closer to a mic than anything else, i would say close to 90% of the sound is transfered successfully...i would say that mainly cause i have been around flextones in live settings before and they sound great hooked up thru the xlr's.

clced · 12-18-2003, 11:55 PM

FIRST I BELIEVE THAT IT TOTALLY DEPENDS ON YOUR TASTE. BUT I PREFER MIC.S BECAUSE YOU CAN MOVE THEM AROUNGD AND FIND THE SWEET SPOT ON THE SPEAKER CONE. JUST EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT MICS AND MARK THE POSITIONS AND DISTANCE YOU LIKE ON THE SPOT(IF YOU DONT MIND TAPE ON YOUR GRILL! CHRIST BE W/ YOU

ApparentlyNothing · 12-19-2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalanche 126

dude, im the same way.....@ my church, i refuse to put my Marshall Valve thru a line out direct box, it sounds horrible. the only thing i was tryin to make a point on is if you are going to try and use a line out, go for an xlr out which is closer to a mic than anything else, i would say close to 90% of the sound is transfered successfully...i would say that mainly cause i have been around flextones in live settings before and they sound great hooked up thru the xlr's.

Dude, its cool, I gotcha. Only stating what we agree on, that it doesnt sound as good when you direct out. While an xlr out will probably get close, like you said, it probably wont emulate it exactly If you have to go direct out, choose xlr. But if at all possible, always mic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clced

FIRST I BELIEVE THAT IT TOTALLY DEPENDS ON YOUR TASTE. BUT I PREFER MIC.S BECAUSE YOU CAN MOVE THEM AROUNGD AND FIND THE SWEET SPOT ON THE SPEAKER CONE. JUST EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT MICS AND MARK THE POSITIONS AND DISTANCE YOU LIKE ON THE SPOT(IF YOU DONT MIND TAPE ON YOUR GRILL! CHRIST BE W/ YOU

Good advice. And since your new, I'll be understanding about the all caps letters. Just try to post using regular casings, or at least all lower case. All caps can get really annoying. Anyways, welcome to the boards!

JtChan · 12-26-2003, 10:21 AM

Man, everybody has been right on in my opinion. There isn't much that I can add to that; but saying that although I prefer "mic"ing the amp (especially if that's the only thing you can do, with no true line outs on the amp, i.e. fender de ville), it comes down to what the situation calls for. There are places where it is perfectly fine to plug into a line out, with certain instruments (the bass comes to mind when you want to get a great saturated feel from the overheads) and there are places where mic'ing the amps are better (like when having to deal with electric guitars and distortion...I heard my old line6 through speakers with distortion and I almost gagged...well i did gag, but I digress) Dude, its all in the context of what you're playing.

Sorry, i didn't mean to ramble like that, but I hope that it helps!!

l8s

Casey · 12-29-2003, 06:19 PM

mic if you can, xlr's rock, though, don't convert per box.

Crowderfan · 01-03-2004, 03:29 PM

Thanks for awesomely answering my question y'all...

What kind of mic does everyone suggest for mic'ing amps? Condensor? Dynamic? Thanks for your expertise, you dudes rock my face off.

Major Tom · 01-03-2004, 04:10 PM

Dynamic mic. Shure SM57 has been the standard of the industry for a quarter of a century 'cause they sound good for guitar amps. They run about $70 - $80. Otherwise, one that is said to have a flat response, and able to handle high decibel applications. If you don't have the cash, use a dynamic vocal mic if you have access to one.

emo_boy · 01-03-2004, 04:18 PM

A shure sm57 is what I'd go with. I have an audio-technica mb2000l that actually does a real good job of emulating an sm57 for a good bit less cash.