1) Second microphone for recording guitar cab? 2) 'Virtual' pre-amp or not?

 
1) Here's my personal opinion; do yourself a favor, save up a little more and buy a clean, used AKG 414.
 
2) No opinion.
 
 
all the best,
mike

On 2).... Isn't the Toneport an interface and preamp?
 
From the Line 6 site:
TonePort UX2 Ins and Outs:
Inputs:

• 2x XLR mic preamp inputs with +48V phantom power and trim knobs
• 2x 1/4-inch instrument inputs, including a -10 dB pad input for instruments with high gain output

 

Do you think Sweetwater would take a firstborn as a trade on a 414? I'd throw in some cash...
 
J

Steve it's been a long time since I mic'd an amp so....
 
I think you're thinking right to use two mic's. To get the full
character of the amp it's not unusual to mic the back.
 
I'd probably go with the Sennheiser e609 (which I think you meant).
 
Before I'd do that I'd split going to amp and direct. Even two mic's I'd still
want a direct track (dry) to play with.
 
 

spacey
 
I'd probably go with the Sennheiser e609 (which I think you meant).

I'm not sure to be honest Mike.
 
This is the mic I was looking at: http://en-uk.sennheiser.com/instrument-microphone-guitar-percussion-brass-e-906
 
It does seem very similar to the e609, but according to the blurb, it has "three adjustable sound characteristics (bright, normal, smooth)".

 
Hi Steve,
 I think the 414s are a good all around performer. They don't do the bad things a lot of affordable condensers do and they do some things really, really well. They are great on guitar cabs and really shine when it comes to capturing rich details in the lower frequencies.
 
 I have a 609 and a 906, if you have the sm57 then buying either of those mics will feel like you just got another mic.
 
 If you get a 414 you'll start moving towards a what you hear is what you get experience with the preamp gear you own. The reason I zero'd in on this particular mic is that it has great smooth yet bold character and avoids the various and common mid frequency problems you can learn about with almost all the other mics in that price range. It's not a stepping stone mic, it is a pro grade utility mic.
 
 The next step up in mic budget is hard to justify until you are trying to chase down a perfect match for a singer or some particular acoustic instrument... and if that's the case you will, by definition, end up wanting a few mics to cover those special needs.
 
 As you imply... that's a different type of shopping.
 
 
 best regards,
mike
 
 
 

 
Cheers for the suggestion Alex
 
And thanks for the explanation Mike.