Recording Amps - How Loud should they be?

[Jack Napalm]

How loud does an amp, tube if it makes a difference, need to be when recording it? Living in a house I don't really have a room setup for recording. At least yet. I was told the other day the best way to record an amp is to turn it up as loud as possible so it really "moves air."

I have a XXX Combo I would really like to get a better recording out of. Any tips on this or advice? The person also mentioned putting it in the bathroom and crank it up.

I hope this is the right place since Newc's recording tips are here.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Recording Amps - How Loud should they be?

I think it depends on the amp. Marshall Plexi - CRANK IT. newer amp that gets it's tone from the preamp - get it as loud as you're comfortable with. A recording that has out of control guitar feedback, awful hiss and has horrible muddy tones may have been recorded loud, but it still sucks.

I bet your XXX sounds fine at loud conversation volumes. What mic are you using? How are you positioning the mic? I think mic and placement are going to do more for a good recording than how loud your amp is.

Pete

[Jack Napalm]

Re: Recording Amps - How Loud should they be?

I have been trying to use a Peavey PVM45. Similar to a Shure 57. The amp does sound pretty good at medium volumes, low isn't bad but medium does a have a better tone to it. I have tried various mic placements. I am considering picking up another mic so I can try the difference between two locations at once.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Recording Amps - How Loud should they be?

With the SM57, aim it straight at the speaker, and the closer to the edge you go the more high end you'll have. I tend to go at the center up and down of the speaker, and then over to where it's even with the dust cap and fine tune it from there.

Two mics at once can be a mess if you aren't careful - phase cancellation and other problems can rear their ugly heads. Do you have an SM57? They are really cheap, and there isn't really an excuse to not have one - there's a reason why any major recording studio has several in stock.

Pete

[Jack Napalm]

Re: Recording Amps - How Loud should they be?

I'll try the mic placement with what I have. I'll go pick up an SM57 as well.

Thanks
Mark