I want to get a Micro BR but...

[Wiseblood]

So, I'm looking at the Micro BR as an affordable recording solution. However, I want to record guitar parts, and I use a 50W 1x12 tube combo with a 2x12 ext cab. So I gues what I'm trying to ask is: is the internal mic good enough? I'd like to get a decent tone out of it without the microphone clipping and that. What would be my best option to getting the best sound out of the device?

(and I'd prefer not to use the line out)

[64Guitars]

The Micro BR's internal mic is excellent. However, it's a condenser mic, and you might find it too sensitive for recording a guitar amp at high volumes. In that case, you might be better off connecting a good quality dynamic mic such as a Shure SM57 to the Micro BR's external mic input using a suitable adapter cable.

[Wiseblood]

Would I need any sort of microphone preamp? I read something about the BR's needing powered mic's.

[64Guitars]

Some people like to use a mic preamp with their dynamic mics for recording vocals, acoustic guitars, etc. Dynamic mics are not as sensitive as condenser mics, so a preamp helps when recording these low-level signals. However, when recording a high-level signal like that from a guitar amp, you shouldn't need the preamp. For recording low-level signals like vocals or acoustic guitar, you'd be better off using the Micro BR's built-in condenser mic.

To use dynamic mics with a Micro BR, you'll need the right adapter cables. The Micro BR's external mic input has a stereo mini jack (dual unbalanced inputs) but the mic will probably have an XLR connector (balanced). So you'd need a stereo breakout adapter like this to split the two mic inputs:

(click to go to Sweetwater.com)

Then you'd need a line-matching transformer to adapt the mic's balanced XLR connector to a 1/4" unbalanced male plug which you'd plug into one of the 1/4" jacks on the stereo breakout cable.

(click to go to Sweetwater.com)

Alternatively, you could plug a dynamic mic directly into a small mixer like this:

(click to go to Musician's Friend)

... then connect the mixer to the Micro BR's stereo Line In connector using a cable like this:

(click to go to Sweetwater.com)

Of course, the stereo breakout adapter and line-matching transformer are much cheaper than a mixer. But a mixer may come in handy in your home studio for other purposes, so you might be able to justify the extra cost.

[Geir]

Don't think you'll need a preamp either if you go for a dynamic mic.

Also you shouldn't under-estimate the built-in amp-sims!! You might find that they are so good that you don't bother with micing up the amp.

[Glenn Mitchell]

I totally agree.
There are a ton of excellent amp simulations on board ..and they are all tweakable.
It's stunning how much flexibility is in this little package.
Now if it only had a little plug-in touch screen for all those layered options..

[Vanncad]

I totally agree with Geir and Glenn.

I have gone both ways (no pun intended)

Mic'd with a Shure SM 58 - What Am I Gonna Do (mic plugged straight into BR600)
Done with BR600 patches - One Eye (guitar plugged straight into BR600)

Different types of music, different guitars too, but I think you get the picture.

P.S - I *think* the mbr's guitar effects are the same as the BR600s?

[Wiseblood]

Thanks for the tips guys! I think I'll go with an SM57 and the Micro BR. Probaby won't use the amp models just because I've been wanting to capture my stompboxes I've built and my amp on some recordings for awhile. I may find something cool to use them with, might be useful also when my amp isn't available or when I'm just noodling and want to save something cool.

[Glenn Mitchell]

let us know how the Shure works out. I have not found an advantage over direct in or the on-board mic, but may not have set it up right.
I have a nice Apex 460 mic and an SM58 I've never been able to sound better than the onboard..

[64Guitars]

In case I gave the wrong impression, I just want to say that I agree with everyone that the BR's amp models are excellent and, for most of us, there's no need to go to the trouble of mic'ing an amp. My replies were based on the assumption that the original poster was already determined to mic his amp rather than use the BR's amp models. Based on his last message, it seems that my assumption was correct. Also, I assumed that he'd be cranking the amp up. There's not much to be gained by mic'ing an amp at low volume.

I've never mic'd my amp for recording - mostly because I can't use my amp where I live without the neighbours complaining and I don't want to cause any trouble. But there are a few advantages to mic'ing an amp if you've got a location where you can crank it up. The most obvious one is controlled feedback. That's something I've always loved but there's no way to do it with amp modeling. And there's a natural sustain and tone from a properly-recorded amp that can't quite be reproduced exactly with amp models, though they come quite close.

Still, I'm quite happy with the BR's amp models, especially after adjusting their parameters (as opposed to just using the preset patches).