Uploaded March 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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After my amp and 4x12 cab comparison I thought it was time to show you some different mics and how they could sound in a high gain scenario.
Obviously small movements in front of the speaker can change the sound drastically, it can get fizzier or darker etc.
I placed the mics where I thought they'd work for me, so there result is of course coloured by my own taste and the sound I like to go for in my mixes.
It should still give you a pretty good idea about the general characteristic of the mic.
Some of the mics would probably not work as the only mic for high gain guitars because they might sound too boomy or so, but they might work exceptionally well in combinatoin with another mic...
so this comparison can't really be about good/bad or about what mic you love and which one you hate, it's primarily supposed to be a handy resource to get a quick idea of the microphones general sound character.

Mics used in thos comparison:

Shure sm57
Shure sm7b
Audio Technica at250DE (both elements at equal volume)
AKG C414 XL-II
Neumann km184
Beyerdynamic m160
Beyerdynamic m201
Sennheiser md421
Oktava MK012
Heil Sound PR30
Royer r121

Amp: Driftwood Purple Nightmare
Cab: Mesa Stiletto 4x12
Mic Pre: API 3124+

check out my amp comparison here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgMVJZQaJHBdXEjVtzQXbyH7X1x5HhWWL

4x12 guitar cab shootout here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgMVJZQaJHBf-TtHvk9Q8ERXuBsQK7rnM

find me on facebook:
facebook.com/LasseLammertStudio

DI Credit: Marcus Hedwig

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