Speaker as a Microphone

[mp_me]

Has anyone tried the "Speaker as a Microphone" technique for bass guitar recording?
I have heard the technique was used on lots of Beatles songs to achieve the booming deep bass sound.
(In conjunction with a good compressor of course.)
If anyone has advice on how to get good results with this method that would be too cool.

What size speaker is best to use as a mic?
Should the "Speaker as a Microphone" be mounted in a cabinet?
Can you use headphones for this method?
How far from the bass sound source should one place a "Speaker as a Microphone"?
How loud should one crank the bass amp?
Is a good mic-pre really the most important piece of gear in the equation?
Is a short scale bass with less harmonics and more fundamental a better choice than a long scale bass?

Thanks!

[jdogric12]

I remember doing something similar in high school or maybe junior high with a cassette tape recorder and pair of cheap earphones. It worked, though muddy and dim.

[johnallg]

First I'd learned that is with old intercoms - they used the speaker as a mic. I hooked the intercom up to the tv speaker once when my parents had company and got to listen in.

I would think you'd want a larger cone speaker to couple to the bass waves better - less distortion than a small driver. I also think a cabinet would lose coupling and make it much less efficient. If you have a 6" or bigger driver and a computer interface that accepts instrument level, patch a guitar cable to the speaker and try it - what have you got to lose?

[VRICKY63]

Calling Geoff Emerick................Mr Emerick.................hello ? Geoff Emerick mentions this technique in his "Here,There and Everywhere" book but not how to do it.

[jps]

Get your desired microphone here.

[mp_me]

thanks.....
that yamaha mic. looks like a good place to start.
6" or 8" driver wired to a patch cable and used as a mic. will be my starting point.

[atomic_punk]

Saw a band the other night with the drummer using a speaker in front of his bass drum as the mic. Sounded good.
Also have a pic of Neil Peart recording drums for the last album with one in front of his bass drum, just can't find it right this second.

[pflash4001]

Does anyone actally have any experiences with that Yamaha Sub Kick? I have been interested in trying one out with our drummer, but I haven't gotten my hands on one and don't want to sink that much money into one without hearing more about it. Thanks, guys you all are always a treasure trove of information.

[atomic_punk]

Finally found that picture of Neil Peart recording with one..