If you have pondered the idea of buying a smaller cab vs a larger cab, or just wondered what the big difference is, there are several to be honest but one thing you can trust and identify with immediately without any opinions are your own ears.
So to help you or anyone that ever wondered, I have set up a reasonably good test demo that was constructed with three speaker cabinets. All of them Mojave cabs but each offering a different sound. I used a super accurate and faithful microphone, the “Most High” Telefunken U47, the Microphone of the Gods! but for this test, we or I, a mere mortal have employed a good mic for good results. I hope this sound demo is helpful to you and keep in mind there are always more ways to compare the sounds but for this simple test we have basically put them around the microphone and blasted away. What you hear is genuine and not monkeyed with at the recording level. I took precautions with the levels jumping around and employed a compressor to put a lid of a few spikes and make sure it kept the levels so they won’t cause you any digital distortion on playback. Otherwise this is a “naked” live test.
I recorded myself into the computer and played the same track back in each cabinet so they were identical. I used a radial X amp to send the signal from the DAW into the amplifier which fed the cabinet. A virtual “Me” so to speak.
Let’s take a look at the test.
Here's a photo looking through the sound booth door. The Ribbon mic in front of the 4x12 was not in use, only the lower right speaker of the 4x12 was actually recorded.
3 cabs and a Coyote. Each cabinet was played independently, not all at the same time. Starting with the 1x12 then 2x12 and finally the 4x12.
The microphone, a cardiod pattern was selected and the microphone was pointed at the cab being tested. I rotated the microphone in the direction of each cabinet tested as they were being played.
Yes boys and girls this is the real deal. A true Telefunken U47 not an imitation and not an old microphone but a new microphone built in South Windsor, CT by the real microphone manufacturer Telefunken Elektroakustik. Originally designed in 1946. This is an iconic tube microphone that is incredibly accurate and clear. Capable of handling SPL levels of 139dbs, which our test was well below.
Great test – everyone wants to haul less gear. Huge difference between 1 x12 and 2x 12. Unless your going for a really “garage” sound, I wouldn’t ever think about a 1 x 12 again
Thanks, that was very informative, the difference between the 1×12 and the others is more striking than I’d expect. Where was the mic placed for each recording?