Dynamic Microphone

Dynamic microphones use a simple moving-coil design that makes them rugged, relatively inexpensive, and able to handle very high sound pressure levels without distorting — exactly the conditions found a few inches from a guitar amp's speaker cone. The Shure SM57 is the industry-standard example: a cardioid dynamic mic with a contoured frequency response that emphasizes presence, helping a close-miked guitar amp cut through a mix, while its cardioid pickup pattern rejects sound arriving from the sides and rear to isolate the amp from the rest of a room.

Types

• Cardioid dynamic mics — the most common type for amp miking, picking up sound mainly from the front and rejecting the sides/rear.
• Ribbon microphones — a related but more delicate class of mic sometimes used for guitar amps, offering a smoother, warmer high end but requiring more careful handling and placement.

How to use it

1. Position the mic close to the amp's speaker cabinet, aimed just off-center from the middle of the speaker cone rather than dead center, to balance brightness and warmth.
2. Connect the mic to an audio interface or mixer using an XLR cable.
3. Set input gain on the interface so the recorded signal is strong but not clipping.
4. Experiment with distance and angle — moving the mic slightly off-axis or farther back changes the tone significantly.

Care

Dynamic mics are durable and need little maintenance, but still store them in a padded case, keep the capsule free of dust, and avoid dropping them despite their reputation for toughness.