We talk so much about IR's and different speakers but sound is sometimes a bit too hard to explain by words. So this time let's look at some SM57 graphs of some of the best representations of different speakers I've had the pleasure of miking up. `
The classic Chinese V30:
I call this the perfect template. Just look at how neutral and flat a V30 can be at its best. Very even frequency roll offs at 150hz and 6khz. This is an SM57 IR from Cab Pack 9 which is based on a Bogner 4x12 with Chinese V30 speakers in it. Also Cab Pack 19 features the ML Angle which is based on an Engl 4x12 Pro and also has these speakers but front loaded while the Bogner cab is rear loaded. Overall it's a very even and characterless tone giving you total control to what ever you please. In comparison this speaker will feel more direct than most speakers.
The 70w Mesa V30:
This is an IR from Cab Pack 7 which was my first official Cab Pack. It's got many similarities to the regular Chinese V30 but the frequencies kind of shift lower. Frequency roll off at around 100hz and 5khz which make it darker and therefore more pleasant sounding for most people. Actually it's a bit uncanny if you compare this graph to the Greenback Pre-Rola 75hz graph and how similar they actually are. It's no surprise that the Mesa V30s and the Greeback Pre-Rola 75hz speakers are my top 2 favorite speakers.
(Disclaimer: As this is an IR from my first official shoot you'll see information all the way down to 30hz that's not audible in any way for our use case but other packs will not have this information. Other than that my shoot method has always remained the same and Cab Pack 7 still includes some of my best work.)
English made 90s Greenback:
This speaker has by far the most pleasant high end roll off and is brighter than a V30. This particular IR can be found in both Cab Pack 8 and Cab Pack 20 as it's the SM57 D1 from ML Brit TV. You can't go wrong with this IR. It will not sound agressive but it will sound sweet and will give you a lot of cut through but never in a harsh way.
Van Halen's signature speaker G12EVH:
This is an IR from Cab Pack 12. The sound is actually very close to the English Greenback but the high end is closer to a Mesa V30 to be honest. The biggest difference to other speakers however is the huge low end around 125hz kind of like the 55hz Pre-Rola. It's perfect for a tight low end as you can turn down the bass on your amp and use these IR's to compensate for it. Also it's a bit scooped kind of like the GEQ on a Mesa Mark IV in a V shape so it will make most vintage amps sound more modern. I've used it as a tool so make some bands sound more modern.
The 55hz Pre-Rola Greenback:
This cabinet and speakers are almost priceless at this point and an essential part of rock'n'roll history. I call this cab the Jimi cab as it makes my strat instantly sound just like him. Frequency-wise it was actually really hard to mic up. The 4khz-5khz area can easily sound too harsh so I spent a lot of time dialing that out but as I was capable of making it sound nice and even Cliff himself said that it's the best job I've done so far so I couldn't be happier. This is my go-to cabinet for vintage tones. I use it for a band that's kind of an Arctic Monkeys type of vibe. These IR's can only be found in Cab Pack 20.
The 75hz Pre-Rola Greenback:
This is the best cabinet for my own use from Cab Pack 20. I just love looking at that curve. It's so even and no sharp spikes anywhere meaning that it's capable of sounding very pleasant throughout its full spectrum. Amazing balance with a slight middle scoop and therefore surprisingly modern sounding as this is what was used on most records that started rock'n'roll after all. I wish I could afford to own a cabinet like this but I don't think it will ever happen. Similarities to Mesa V30 speakers kind of make a happy guy as I am originally a Mesa guy.
I'll add more speakers when I get a chance but I think this should be a good read already. Please discuss!
The classic Chinese V30:
I call this the perfect template. Just look at how neutral and flat a V30 can be at its best. Very even frequency roll offs at 150hz and 6khz. This is an SM57 IR from Cab Pack 9 which is based on a Bogner 4x12 with Chinese V30 speakers in it. Also Cab Pack 19 features the ML Angle which is based on an Engl 4x12 Pro and also has these speakers but front loaded while the Bogner cab is rear loaded. Overall it's a very even and characterless tone giving you total control to what ever you please. In comparison this speaker will feel more direct than most speakers.
The 70w Mesa V30:
This is an IR from Cab Pack 7 which was my first official Cab Pack. It's got many similarities to the regular Chinese V30 but the frequencies kind of shift lower. Frequency roll off at around 100hz and 5khz which make it darker and therefore more pleasant sounding for most people. Actually it's a bit uncanny if you compare this graph to the Greenback Pre-Rola 75hz graph and how similar they actually are. It's no surprise that the Mesa V30s and the Greeback Pre-Rola 75hz speakers are my top 2 favorite speakers.
(Disclaimer: As this is an IR from my first official shoot you'll see information all the way down to 30hz that's not audible in any way for our use case but other packs will not have this information. Other than that my shoot method has always remained the same and Cab Pack 7 still includes some of my best work.)
English made 90s Greenback:
This speaker has by far the most pleasant high end roll off and is brighter than a V30. This particular IR can be found in both Cab Pack 8 and Cab Pack 20 as it's the SM57 D1 from ML Brit TV. You can't go wrong with this IR. It will not sound agressive but it will sound sweet and will give you a lot of cut through but never in a harsh way.
Van Halen's signature speaker G12EVH:
This is an IR from Cab Pack 12. The sound is actually very close to the English Greenback but the high end is closer to a Mesa V30 to be honest. The biggest difference to other speakers however is the huge low end around 125hz kind of like the 55hz Pre-Rola. It's perfect for a tight low end as you can turn down the bass on your amp and use these IR's to compensate for it. Also it's a bit scooped kind of like the GEQ on a Mesa Mark IV in a V shape so it will make most vintage amps sound more modern. I've used it as a tool so make some bands sound more modern.
The 55hz Pre-Rola Greenback:
This cabinet and speakers are almost priceless at this point and an essential part of rock'n'roll history. I call this cab the Jimi cab as it makes my strat instantly sound just like him. Frequency-wise it was actually really hard to mic up. The 4khz-5khz area can easily sound too harsh so I spent a lot of time dialing that out but as I was capable of making it sound nice and even Cliff himself said that it's the best job I've done so far so I couldn't be happier. This is my go-to cabinet for vintage tones. I use it for a band that's kind of an Arctic Monkeys type of vibe. These IR's can only be found in Cab Pack 20.
The 75hz Pre-Rola Greenback:
This is the best cabinet for my own use from Cab Pack 20. I just love looking at that curve. It's so even and no sharp spikes anywhere meaning that it's capable of sounding very pleasant throughout its full spectrum. Amazing balance with a slight middle scoop and therefore surprisingly modern sounding as this is what was used on most records that started rock'n'roll after all. I wish I could afford to own a cabinet like this but I don't think it will ever happen. Similarities to Mesa V30 speakers kind of make a happy guy as I am originally a Mesa guy.
I'll add more speakers when I get a chance but I think this should be a good read already. Please discuss!