Sennheiser e609 Guitar Mic?

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Hey guys!

Any experience with this mic?

I'm planning to buy one to use along with my SM57 for a slightly fuller, more diverse, recorded guitar tone by blending the two tones. Many bands I've seen use this your recording into the PA live, and it sounded great. I assume this would transfer to recording!

But as always, first hand experience is always welcome! Thanks!

 

[ned]

I use one all the time live since you don't need a mic stand - just drape it over the cab. There is an article with sound clips comparing the SM57 and e609 at www.grailteon.com

 

[MetalMatt]

You mean www.grailtone.com ?

Im looking at getting that mic also.

 

[ned]

hey, typo

 

[SeasonOfPain]

I was considering the e609 to mix with my 57, and a lot of people really like them. However, I've heard it's actually thinner-sounding than the 57, and the sound clips I heard (the same thread on gearslutz, actually) bore this out. I was getting thin tones from the 57 as it was. I almost sprung for an MD-421 to complement the 57, but wound up getting the Audix I5 instead, which is really more of a replacement than a complement to the 57. I've gotten great results with that, but a lot of it was due to finally finding a decent mic position.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

The audix sounds nice also!

What are the BIG differences between it and the SM57?

Overall, would my money be better spent investing in a condensor?

 

[Red Barchetta]

I use the e609. It has replaced completely any other (including 57's) mics I have ever used.


Get it.

I recommend setting it up about halfway between the edge of the speaker and the dust cover of the cone.

Even though you don't need to use one, I still use a small boom stand for tweakability.

RB

 

[SeasonOfPain]

The audix sounds nice also!

What are the BIG differences between it and the SM57?

Overall, would my money be better spent investing in a condensor?

The 57 has a bump in the midrange that I think overly emphasizes the already mid-heavy Mesa sound (perhaps less so on a Marshall). The Audix I feel is a bit more balanced, giving more presence and low-end. They're both pretty rugged in construction. Since I'm close-mic'ing, I can't comment too much on how their pickup pattern might affect the tone.

A condenser is not generally appropriate for close-micing. You could use it to get a good room sound, but then you (a) have phase issues to worry about, (b) have to account for room reflections as well as orientation to the speaker when positioning, and (c) have to have a good-sounding room to record in. I generally prefer just to close-mic a guitar cabinet.

For the money a semi-decent condenser costs, I'd invest in an MD421, as I heard it blends really well with the 57 when both are close-mic'ed. Or you could try the Audix as an alternative to the 57 (I'm not sure how well they'd sound together, as there would be some overlap in tone, but I haven't tried both of them together yet).

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

After hearing some clips of the e609, it seems like it would compliment the 57 very nicely! It is bigger, and slightly thinner, which the 57 would fill up perfectly.

As for the Audix, I think I will definitely look into it as an alternative to the 57 in the near future!