#THE EDGE GUITAR SOUND EFFECT STACK PROFESSIONAL#

As to the model of microphone, Shure have always had the historical upper hand with their SM57, which remains a very popular choice. The choice of a dynamic microphone is easy and practical: dynamics will be able to handle the sound pressure levels of the speaker they will have the warmth and body needed while not sounding unduly harsh. Sticking a dynamic microphone in front of the guitar speaker is still the go‑to technique used by most engineers, and it is also the simplest approach. In this article I want to talk about some of the techniques that engineers are using to help capture the electric guitar live. It has also meant that reliance on the engineer to capture the guitar sound has increased. This trend towards using smaller guitar amps has done a lot to reduce the level of the guitar on stage, and improve spill on the vocal mics at the same time. In the last 10 years or more there has been a return to smaller, more flexible combos, some of which would not look out of place in your living room. Anyone who has ever had to transport one themselves knows how heavy they are, and how much room they take up in the hallway. This has led to smaller amps being used on stage, for several reasons.Īnyone who has owned a Marshall 4x12 cab will know what a great sound it makes a full stack, better still. These days, even the most modest club has a mixer capable of miking up quite large bands easily, and a microphone on the guitar amp is the norm. This was still at the turning point where mixers were really just amplifying the vocals and the drums using a minimum of microphones.

With this amplifier and its massive 200W output, your guitar could fill a whole large auditorium without help. In the early '80s, Mesa Boogie actually introduced a range of amps called the Coliseum, designed for the largest touring acts of the time - the Who, the Rolling Stones and Santana. Traditionally, guitar (and bass) amplifiers had a single, stand‑alone role: to make the guitar loud. However, as shows become more sophisticated and in‑ear monitoring more prevalent, the guitar has come under much greater scrutiny. In its simplest form, a guitar‑based show would involve throwing up some mics on the drums, a DI on the bass and a mic on the guitar. It is very much part of our 'bread and butter', as the electric guitar is synonymous with modern music - most engineers I know grew up working with guitar bands. Miking up guitars at live shows can simultaneously be both one of the simplest and most difficult jobs for a sound engineer.

#THE EDGE GUITAR SOUND EFFECT STACK PROFESSIONAL#

We round up some top tips from professional engineers. Electric guitars are one of the cornerstones of modern music, but miking them up can prove tricky.

The edge guitar sound effect stack