How loud when micing a cab?

[Jevil]

Hi gays, how loud do you set your amp when recording?

Is there any math formula or rule to set the distance of the mic according to the loudness of the amp?

 

[Brandon E.]

You don't change the mic position when you turn up the amp? You just adjust the gain on your mic preamp. Usually keep it around 1 inch from the grill. Adjust the volume where it sounds best. I know the 5150 sounds drastically different with different post-gain settings.

 

[BLUElightCory]

Set the amp to where you think it sounds the best. Then put the mic where you think it sounds the best. Done!

 

[Harry Hughes]

Once you turn the power amp level too high, amps generally start to crap out and will give you a looser, less defined bottom and lower mid range, and there's sometimes a gross mid spike that will make it harder to seat it in the mix.
Turn the amp up just before it reaches that point of becoming loose and mid-spikey and generally that's where modern high gain amp sounds best.