I've used my NTK on amps (Mesa, Marshall, Fender, stacks and combos) since it came out a couple of years back and it still sounds great. I've recently started using a K2 for the same thing, though I've read somewhere that if you can dedicate a mic to high SPL sources since the diapraghm starts to fold - is there any validity to this? Sounds fair..

For the price vs quality, the K2 is the way to go

I haven't tried the K2 as the close mic on a cab yet - but I used it as a room mic on my Rivera. My typical rig for recording is a Rivera TBR1-SL into a Rivera 2x12 cab and a '68 Bassman head into my 'dummy chamber'.

The last tracks I cut had a '57 up on the grill of the Rivera, an old AKG D1000 in the chamber and the K2 about chest high - 5 feet off the Rivera. Sounded great. I bet it would sound good up close on a cabinet.

Strangely - I always liked my original C3000 on guitar cabs.. it has such a strident, biting sound (horrible on most vocals) that it really cuts through.
"-)

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm just going to go with the K2. Whether or not it works really well up close on a cab, I've heard from many that it's a good vocal mic and apparently a good distant mic on cabs too. I've read way too many good things about it. You have me wondering about the diapraghm folding though...Sounds pretty realistic although I've never heard of it before. Thanks again.

spend another $200 and get a second mic ...Groove Tubes GT44. Killer on guitar cabs. I thought my AT4040 sounded pretty good, but the GT44 kills it and it's only $200. ...it's a tube mic at that.

I just tried the KEL HM-1's today and I was pleased ..... these things are cute!

Did some vocals with the HM-1 and a U87ai, it was hard to tell the two apart ...

Blew some Gibson 335 through a Peavey Valve Verb , into a Mesa Boogie V Twin to a '65 Ampeg Jet, miced with the HM-1 and the results were clear but without that crackle that happens so often with electric guitar parts .....

This is all pretty preliminary but my first impression is these $99 wonders are pretty cool!

re gt44

"but the GT44 kills it and it's only $200"

where did you see the gt 44 for $200

thanks
Bob

Well the SM57 is always an excellent choice for "heavy" guitars. And it is always excellent to add a condenser to the dynamic mix of the guitar.

But if you dont have any mics for guitars whatsoever, or if you dont have a 57, they are pretty much essential for proffessional "heavy" guittar.

Re: re gt44

bobbo wrote: "but the GT44 kills it and it's only $200"

where did you see the gt 44 for $200

thanks
Bob

GC had a special sale in December. I also got a Pair of GT44's for $400 with Shock Mounts, Hard cases and PS. I also got a Brick + GT-55 Combo for $498! Hell of a deal IMO. I'm not sure if the sale is still on - but I think the GT44 retails at like $600, and "Streets" for like $350 IIRC. A great overhead mic on bright kits, too! For $200 ea, it is a no-brainer...

:cool:

Check out the N90 by Stedman. I own two now and they do an excellent job on guitar cabs. They response is almost perfectly flat and has a really nice warm tone to it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention this mic on here. Anyone else tried it?

The AT3035 can handle up to 158dbSPL and is pretty versatile for vocals. I've been using it for guitar cabs and leslie bass as well. It won out over AT4050 on vocals for a recent CD project. They're about $185.