Recording steel amp in an iso cabinet...pros and cons?

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 27 Jun 2015 4:28 pm

I'm planning a multi-purpose workshop custom built in my standalone shop, I'm planning on getting good isolation and room treatment with help from several good books I've been studying, but just wondering how good amps sound micced inside an isolation cabinet designed for that purpose. Might be a nice option to room miccing, though I do live in an ultra-quiet neighborhood.

Thanks for suggestions and feedback, everyone!

Rick Schacter · Post by **Rick Schacter** » 29 Jun 2015 10:48 am

Con:
It would limit your options for experimenting with mic placement.

Pro:
It will give you a happy wife and happy neighbors.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 29 Jun 2015 12:07 pm

John, with all you plan on doing Iâ€™m sure your results will be better than mine... Iâ€™m still learning and refining... these six song were done in the order that the link will take you to...

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... VHl6OkHZBa

The first 4 were done with a Session 500 and an SM-57 Mic... they were done wet with the effects provided by a Profex ll.

Nameless Shuffle was done the same way except an Lexicon MPX1 was used for effects instead of a Profex ll... did I mention that the only isolation I used with the amp/mic was a Foam Pillow between the mic and my steel.

In the Garden was done direct with 2 Rhythm tracks, (Left/Right)... I dry steel track using the Line out XLR from the 500 into the Mixer, and then 2 tracks of effects from the Lexicon MPX1 into 2 channels and then blended to taste during mixing

Good luck with your plans... hope this helps a little.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 29 Jun 2015 12:51 pm

Dale , excellent sounds and playing...!

Your NET presentation is excellent as well..

t

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 29 Jun 2015 8:07 pm

I have a Demeter Silent Cab that works pretty well...though I prefer to let it breathe in a room if possible...

Brett Lanier · Post by **Brett Lanier** » 25 Aug 2015 11:43 am

Reminds me of Jerry McPherson's home recording setup. He has a joystick controller on his desk which operates a robot with several mics attached. Equipped with a camera and a tv monitor in the control room, he can position any mic anywhere on any cab in the basement. Whoa!

There is also County Q's setup, which is a wooden box with a trap door that you drop your steel amp into. Not as fancy...

btw, your recordings sound great Dale!