How to Use Microphones on a Guitar Cab
Capture the tone you hear in the room — and make it translate in the mix.
Miking a guitar cabinet isn’t just about sticking a mic in front of a speaker. It’s an art form that can dramatically shape the sound of your recordings. Whether you're chasing tight modern rock tones or warm vintage vibes, mic placement and selection can make or break your tone.
Let’s break down the essentials of how to mic a guitar cabinet — and how to get pro-level results from any setup.
1. Choose the Right Microphone
Different mics produce very different tones. Here are the most common types used on guitar cabs:
Dynamic Microphones (e.g. Shure SM57, Sennheiser e906)
Durable, affordable, and widely used.
Bright midrange-forward tone with punch.
Great for close-miking.
Condenser Microphones (e.g. AKG C414, Neumann U87)
More detailed and sensitive.
Capture a wider frequency range.
Great as a room mic or in combination with a dynamic mic.
Ribbon Microphones (e.g. Royer R-121, Beyerdynamic M160)
Warm, smooth, and natural-sounding.
Excellent for taming harsh highs.
Fragile – use caution with high SPLs and phantom power.
2. Understand Speaker Positioning
Most guitar cabinets have multiple speakers — and no two sound exactly the same. Try different speakers in the same cab if you're not loving what you're hearing.
3. Placement Basics: Where to Point the Mic
Where you aim the mic dramatically affects tone. Here’s a cheat sheet:
Center of the cone (on-axis): Bright, aggressive, more high-end.
Edge of the cone (off-axis): Warmer, darker, less harsh.
Angle the mic: Reduces brightness and adds natural roll-off.
Start Here:
Place a dynamic mic (like an SM57) about 1–2 inches from the grille, pointing straight at the edge of the dust cap (where the cone meets the center).
From there, adjust inward for more brightness, or outward for more warmth.
4. Distance: Close vs Room
Close Miking
1–3 inches from the speaker.
Tight, direct sound with little room tone.
Ideal for modern rock, metal, and punchy tones.
Room Miking
3–10 feet back from the cab.
Adds depth, natural reverb, and ambiance.
Blend with the close mic for a 3D sound.
Pro tip: Use a large-diaphragm condenser or ribbon mic as your room mic, and experiment with mono vs stereo.
5. Blending Multiple Mics
Combining mics can give you the best of both worlds:
Dynamic + Ribbon: Punchy with smooth highs.
Dynamic + Condenser (room): Direct + ambient blend.
Two dynamics, different positions: Multiple tonal layers.
⚠️ Watch for phase issues — if your mics are out of phase, they’ll cancel each other out and thin the sound. Flip the polarity on one mic and listen for improvement.
6. Experiment — and Trust Your Ears
The mic position that worked on your last track might not work today. Every guitar, amp, speaker, and room changes the game.
Try this process:
Set the amp to your desired tone.
Place your mic in the “standard” position.
Record a short take.
Move the mic slightly and repeat.
Compare.
Tiny adjustments (even ½ inch) can make a big difference.
Bonus Tips
Use headphones while adjusting mic position so you can hear changes in real time.
Use a reamp box to dial in mic positions with a consistent signal.
Don’t over-EQ at the source — aim to capture the tone you want without heavy processing.
Final Thoughts
Mic’ing a guitar cabinet is about capturing feel and tone as much as frequency response. Don’t rush the process. Experiment with placement, mic choice, and distance to discover what best represents the voice of your guitar.
With practice, your recordings will sound fuller, richer, and more professional — right at the source.
