3 Clean Guitar Amp Micing Techniques - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro 

Do you have anymore questions about recording below? Ask me know below!

You want cheap and easy with a great bottom end?!? 😃😂🤣😂 The SM57s front and back seems like a winner to me!

I love finding these older videos that are still super useful. Bookmarked!

Another awesome video Warren! You are providing a great service to the "production/recording" community. So many great tips and learning opportunities in every video.

Great content today Sir Huart! I’ve never seen a tutorial quite like it-great detail, great topic and I will be experimenting more w this front/back mic technique. Sounds great and I’ve finally got the confidence to use this technique to get great guitar tones on record! Longtime subscriber and this is my favorite video in 3.5 years of watching! Of course love the studio tours and interviews too. High praise my friend.

Would really love to hear you play more often. Really enjoy it. Thanks again. I know many may think some of the videos like this are basic, but to those of us who are just getting started this is golden.

thanks so much Warren! truly learned a lot from this! used a lot of ur tips on our latest album. bless you and the work you do!

Great video Warren! I would like to see the same kind of video but for bass guitar with the best mic and techniques. Best regards from Portugal

Great video as always! Would have loved to see you discuss volume and gain levels for recording amps.

This was fantastic! Great insight as always. Even on my iPhone I could hear the noticeable differences. Thank you, Warren.

Thanks Warren. Informative as always. I'm going to use that front and back technique next session.

Great video! Always enjoy your guitar mic’ing technique videos, great refreshers! 🙂

Very informative video. I will definitely try the front/back technique with my Deluxe Reverb amp soon. Thanks Warren!

thanks for another awesome video :)

Thanks! As I said before, there are those that do, and those that teach, but the rarest of them all are those who can both do and teach as you!

Another great video. Thanks Warren. For "primary" guitars in songs I use a SM57 and a Cascade Fathead Ribbon mic with great results. For secondary guitars that are more ear candy (little triplet lines, baritone drones or tremolo kind of effect) I use either a SM57 or the Fathead depending on the sound we're looking for. As this video demonstrates, the ribbon has a nice way of settling down the top end and it helps the guitar take less attention and sometimes that's exactly what's needed.

Thank you for this!!

great video, thanks bro

Great video Warren!

These tutorials are great. Just really good information from someone who can actually knows. Direct with no bullshit. Thanks for your advice. 👍

Love the "how to" videos and gear reviews. Thanks Warren!

I really liked the SM57 front and rear setup. Really sounded great! Also congrats on the PRS S2 Vela Semi-Hollow - I just bought one of those myself!

I have been a fan since the beggining... this type of vid is my fav. Thanks Warren.

Thank you Warren. Great vid, and I'll say it again, what a lovely guitar!

Thanks, Warren. Perfect demonstration.

Such a great video! Warren you have one of the best channels on RU-vid.

If anything, you sold me on the Nobels! Pedal sounds fantastic.

Thanks!

I can't wait to try this : ).

Yep. That is exactly how I do it too. I use the front / back method for open back amps, sticking the back mic between two twelves if it has them. And use the double front mics (57 and R10!) on closed cabs. That amp sounds amazing mic'd front and back!

This must be just like Living in Paradise lolGreat vid and im in love with that guitar

Thanks Warren!

I recently had some great fun recording our guitarist for some "live" recordings. We used two amps: a Marshall and a Fender. I used two 57s on each amp: one angled and one straight. We added an MS pair as room mics. There was some work to do with phase but it was worth it. I would definitely use this technique again and it provides an in-the-room experience upon playback. As an aside, I have had good results with a large diaphragm condenser, on its own, for a simpler approach. For cleaner sounds, normally, I like this method more than a solo 57.

Warren "Bop till you Drop" Huart. Very nice lesson in tone shaping with mics!

A very informative video Warren, thanks again! I just did a live recording using a Golden Age Mk3 ribbon and 57 on a Marshal Cab. I loved being able to blend the two together. Only unfortunate thing was the figure 8 on the ribbon picking up bleed. But it still worked. I've been using a pair of AKG 418's for snare mics as I have to keep mics inconspicuous for filming, but the sound is crisp, punchy and tight. I just dread the drummer hitting them... Thanks again for your hugely helpful videos. Cheers!

Awesome video! I enjoyed it ever so much! :D

Thanks Warren that was awesome! I record guitar like the 121 idea but with a small condenser and a 57 I'll do a video when I get some time this week.

The sE RNR1 is my go-to for guitars - an active ribbon (with Neve transformer!) so you get the fatness but it responds up to 20kHz too. Would generally use a condenser for super-clean tones - but then again, I love bright & detailed guitar sounds. :-)

Hi Warren, Great video, very helpful, thank you, all the best, Darren Ross.

Thank you Warren. 🙂

I actually bought a Royer R10 based on your review of the product! I record all my electric guitars now with the Royer R10 and SM57 combo. The only minor difference from what you demonstrated here is that I have both the Royer and 57 facing straight on. That way, the 57 is pointed at where the cone and speaker material meet. I play (and record) clean guitars most of the time, and my Telecaster through any of my amps miced up this way sounds SO much fuller now. It's awesome!

Warren always ready with some tasty licks 🎸🎤🎧👍🏻

Thanks for opening my mind about 2 mics instance... Certainly I'll try to do the same approach from the ribbon with a bass drum dynamic mic

I get a little help from my friends 🤗 thanks for the information on recording dynamics.very nice sound and you play Guitar great

What a cool tip my musical friend! I will definitely be trying this. You are a lean, mean, posting machine! Cheers! (I learned to say that when I was in the UK) 😄

Another great show -thanks Warren!

Your such a natural on camera Warren. Really appreciate you giving your time to do these vids. Many thanks.

Learned some new miking options with this!! Now I need a Ribbon! haha

This is a great video...I have some techniques to test

Thanks, my master! Greetings from Spain!

Ive been struggling with capturing my Roland Jazz Chorus 40's clean tone for a while now, but since i just bought my first ribbon mic (SE Electronics X1 R) paired with a trusty SM57 ive been getting closer to the sound im trying to capture, but still not there yet. Im definitely going to try the technique of mic'ing behind the cabinet. Thanks for the lesson Warren!

Good call on the r10! I love it with an sm57 for clean and slightly overdriven guitars

I have been using an Audix D6 as a third microphone... picks up excellent low end when blended in underneath the 2 mics:) that’s a nice amp!

I'm in an experimentation period with various ribbon mics and I love the character, ribbons will absolutely be my go to for the VoxAC15+Telecaster combo. However, last year I bought a seehnheiser e609 and I couldn't be happier for a live jazz tone (Roland JC-40+Epiphone Emperor II)

Really useful thanks. I often don't like the sound of a solo SM57. So I've been using my 57 with a U67 inspired-ish type mic (JZ Vintage 67). But on these recordings 57 front and back does actually sound great. I think I may even have preferred the 57 front and back to the 57 & R-10 in front. Except with the drive pedal, which is where the ribbon brough in an extra smoothness, and made the recording sound like a much bigger amp running full kilter.

Sending you lots of love from the UK - thank you so much for all your videos Warren...you might wanna pop to the clinic and get that LowMiddlier @ 12.50 sorted out though?! ;) X

Pure gold

Great Video Warren. love those Jazz chops! I use one large diaphragm condensor, and one small diaphragm condensor. but i'm not going for a classic rock clean, i'm going for somewhere between an acoustic guitar and an american clean electric sound. think a fender or mesa clean channel. so i plug an electric guitar into an acoustic amp, then dual mic the amp. and i do a similar dual mice on the electric guitar itself, as well as a room mic on figure 8. (because that pattern sounds best in my room for whatever reason). This tends to give me exactly what i want. often i'll add in some tube amps dual mic'd as well (splitting the signal from the same guitar). but i'm a big fan of throwing stuff at the wall, and letting the mix engineer decide what they want to use. always a DI as well too.

Hi Warren. Fantastic video as usual. I wanted to recommend the Analogman Prince of tone for an over drive pedal. As far as my ears go, there is no better clear natural over drive sound in a pedal. Sounds like your amp, just cranked! Thanks so much again!

thanks so much

Nice. I need to get a Noble. That sounds great. I love my Hotcake, though. I'm just a hobbyist (wannabe record producer😂) but I've just been experimenting for the last several days. I'm using a 57 on the front and a 421 on the back and a condenser about 16 inches from the front. Then repeat with another amp, except I'm using an m160 in place of the 57 (because I only have one 57). My signal is split to both amps, and then I have stereo x/y to capture some room but not too far away. Today, I was trying on, and various off axis positions for the close mics. And also bringing the condensers a little closer, 12 inches, then 6. I treated it like a science experiment and noted the mic positions for each take for my reference. My amps are a Tweed Deuxe clone and a hand wired vox ac15. I was recording clean, no fx. I think for clean, I prefer the on axis positions. The amps have that sparkle, especially the Vox, and I did like the condensers closer rather than further. Next, I'm going to try swapping the m160 for the Vox and the 57 for the Deluxe. I wish I thought about stomping on my overdrive for each of the takes. It's possible that an off axis position may suit the overdriven tone better... but my pedal board was not near my control room, so i just focused on clean. I also did play to a drum track loop, and as an afterthought, I laid down some bass so I can evaluate these contexts in a mix. Thanks for the video. I always pick up great little tips.

Carl Tatz chair! Nice we got those at the studio i'm at!

I'm more of a live guy, but my go-to for guitars is Telefunken M81, and a Heil PR30 on either side of the dust cap, on axis, panned hard LR

Thanks for the video Warrren - nice start for beginners or those who've never read a techniques article. Some quick thoughts... Regarding the choice of mic: Sure (!), use a '57; it's a good mic but and old mic. It's not the only choice! If you don't want to sound like everybody else, try a variation. There are lots of great dynamic mics that will do the job really well and give a slightly different flavour. I've used, Blue, Heil, Sennheiser, Beyer... It takes seconds to put something else up and discover a great sound that's unique to you. Engineering is not about sounding like everybody else... About phase: I like to start with the front/rear mics in phase, and find a null point, before flipping the phase of one mic, and go from there. About triple-micing: I would usually not record a guitar like that without a third mic distant from the cab, doing phase checks as I go. The sense of 'air' or 'room' really helps in getting a great guitar sound. I like to do some phase checks with two font mics as well. It will help you discover which frequencies are actually reaching the mics. Don't forget to use your ears, or headphones, whilst you move the mics around to find the sound you're after. And lastly, where the amp is in the room is critical for the low frequencies! Happy recording everybody! P.S. That PRS is so out of tune! 5:10

Still love my Avantone ribbon mic thru a Universal Audio 610 mic pre. Just sounds perfect all the time. Recommend trying that mic.

I use just one SM57. Not in the center, but a bit on the side. The position will depend on how much clarity I want. Frankly, till now I've never felt the necessity to add other mics in the process.

Either PRS or BMG Red Special guitars - Roland JC77 or JC90 - (2) AKG P220 condensers about 8-12 inches from speakers, in stereo, about 12-16" apart left/right. Pretty much same for overdriven or clean tube sounds (PRS Custom 20 amp) but with one condenser. Recently got a Neumann TLM103 and quite like it on mono guitars but haven't explored it as much as the AKGs. REALLY happy with sounds I'm getting into Presonus Studio 18/24 mic pres and Studio One 4 DAW.

Hi Warren, great video.. quick question if you have time. When micing front and back are you going into two mono channels for the guitars and then blending volume to taste? Thank you

Warren - I used to own a Nobels tremelo in the early 2000s. My favourite tremelo sound ever

Great video. Maybe you can do a dedicated snare drum video sometime. And show some techniques on minimizing bleed in the snare mic's. Cheers Warren!

I know it's a bit unorthodox, but I really enjoy the SM 57 on front and then a 58 on the back for some low mid warmth. Is that way left field? I'd really like to learn about recording high registry instruments, Mandolin, Ukulele, ETC. Thanks as Always Warren! You always inspire!

Yesssss! I’m recording a twangy Fender Twin with a touch of dirt from a BB preamp. I can get it to sound good but not great. . 🤷🏼‍♂️. Thanks for the timely tips!

Great video Warren. What about a combination of all three? SM57 back and front and a ribbon on the cone. Or are we into a whole world of phase/polarity issues there?

HeyWarren, thanx for sharing your skills with us again. I often use the "Fredman Technique" with two SM57's - one pointed to the the spot where the cone meets the paper and the other one at an angle of 45 degrees also pointed to the same spot. what do you think about this? Next I will try out your recommendation with the front and the open back micing. It seems to get more of an full and warm tone...

That PRS looks really comfortable to play. Great clean and dirty tones. I was surprised just how good the 57 back and front sounded. Now that I have an open back cab, I am defiently going to try that. Im curious if you have ever used a ke, umm, a kem, errm um, i mean a Ke Kem, Kemper Profiler? LOL. I confess that Ive been using one quite a bit and its darn impressive. There, Ive said it. Feels good to get that off my chest. Great show as always Warren. Thanks

Are you familiar with cascade fathead? Would like to know your opinion on that mic.

I just bought Waves GTR, some nice guitar sounds and seems to sound good going direct without an amp, but would you recommend going through an amp clean, with those micing techniques and then use plug ins?

Good Tip Mr. W.H

Great stuff, Warren. What about a 57 front and back AND the Royer? :)

I like using my R-10 for this. It seems to record the string picking details a little more, but not without a 57. What does your signal chain look like?

I would love to see a video getting good results on "plugging directly into the console" guitar tones. I've heard rumors that Cocteau Twins and other 80's shoegazey bands would do this for super clean tones but never got good results myself.

nice vela, beautiful guitars, wish they released a version with a normal vibrato system. I do a decent amount of chord gliding in my music (I sorta make shoegaze) but I just absolutely hate dealing with the restringing of a floyd, and having to unlock the nut every time it goes out of tune farther than the fine tuners can handle.

What is your go-to distance (for say a SM-57) from the mic capsule to the grill cloth?

How do you flip the polarity on a SM57?

Do you take the two blended tracks and then bounce duplicate and Pan them to Left and Right?

Damn your jazz licks surprised me! Very informative video.

Sennheiser e609 and e906 are also good Guitar amp dynamic mics as well

Is there a way to use the dual mic technique on the back side as well as on the front?

Hi Warren, how about a double micing Sm57 + Rode NT1? Is it maybe timbrically "redundant"? Thank you!

Hot damn that guitar is beautiful. If it had binding and the bird inlays tho... OOOWEEEEEE thatd be FIRE

warren in a mix with the ribbon and 57 technic would you pan them separately or place them on the same pan position?

Am I right in saying you guys got a new camera? Great vid as always

Great content! Eddie Kramer uses 1 u 67 hard pan l + 160/57/421R He also uses light to find the sweet spot;) When talking about John Lennon you should talk about the hidden secret piece of gear that Roy Cicala used to use. Tip: JJP and Andrew S. Used to have this piece of gear;) Let me know if you want to know more! Best

How do I phase the polarity on the back mic?

I always feel like Mic'd Guitar Amps lose so much dynamics. In my room I can hear the sound going from almost quiet to really loud in my strumming. Is there a way around this, should I use a ribbon room mic?

When not recording DI with guitar rig (what I mainly use for demos) I use an SM57, and occasionally an SM57 paired with a cheap Apex 205 ribbon mic I have... sort of a poor man's Royer/57 setup.

Don't you use your Carl Martin pedals anymore? I didn't know that the grill of ribbon mics affect the brightness. Thanks.

I liked the back micing until I heard the ribbon. Much more defined lows. Obviously they both have their place but thanks for the help x

Hi Warren. A bit off subject but still relevant in the realm of recording guitars: for those on a budget and in a bedroom setup where sound level is a primary issue, recording an amp with mics is somewhat complicated (neighbours/spouse complaints). What are your thoughts on such amps as the Boss Katana series or Fender GT series? They are relatively cheap, you can dial in multitude of guitar sounds (and quite good sounds too), records directly thru USB or with cabinets emulation thru the phone/recording output and serve as a gigging amps (depending on models) That makes them somewhat more versatile than simply using plugins like Amplitube or Guitar Rig. For a home hobbyist like me, it's enough to play around with (I do have a Katana 50) But do you think someone with pro or semi pro ambitions could achieve pro worthy results with these?

Not sure if there’s a name for it but I used to use a couple of 57’s, one directly pointing at the centre of the cone and the other pointing into the rim in a sort of v shape...... man I miss recording...