wpb tries recording with 2 mics

Hey all,

So I did my first attempt at recording with two microphones.  I used a SDM70 Cardoid microphone (cheaper version of the infamous SM57) and a Tascam TM-80 Condenser microphone. The TM-80 required phantom power; the SDM70 required some volume boost in the DAW to match the TM-80 level. The gear was my Mexican Strat on bridge setting into my BOSS BD2 into the Bugera T5 (with slight reverb on) into the VOX BC112 speaker.

Having done lots of youtubing, I placed the SDM70 nearer the centre of the speaker cone and the TM-80 midway along the cone. Essentially, the SDM70 style records brighter top-end frequentcies while the TM-80 will pickup good mids and low end.

Before I explain what you'll hear, here's the file to download and listen to:

multi_mic_test.mp3 (998.21 KB)

Essentially, you'll hear the same piece play 4 times, as follows:

1. SDM70 only (raw recording)
2. TM-80 only (raw recording)
3. SDM70 and TM-80 combined (raw recording)
4. SDM70 and TM-80 combined (with effects - panning, EQ, compression and some added reverb). This is the usual way I modify any recording I make to get my results.

I'm seriously impressed with how the 4th rendition came out - sounds very full IMHO. But it's also left me seeing/hearing music very differently. Basically, what I hear now on radio, tv, etc, is merely what the mixing pro did with the types of microphones, effects and modifications applied. I don't know if what I hear is genuinely what my amp sounds like after recording - but i like what I hear, so I guess that's good.

What are your thoughts on all this?

pics of the mics used:

Stagg SDM70


Tascam TM-80