The Weirdest Guitar Cab Mic? Radio Shack PZM

[@ErikZmusic]

The key with a PZM is that it uses the flat surface to couple itself with whatever it's sitting on. So for example when you set it down on a board room table, it's using the entire table surface as a sort of an extended diaphragm or antenna almost. I remember as a kid playing guitar and you'd put the headstock against the wall, and the whole wall would ring. Its sort of the same thing. The PZM is tiny sounding by itself, it needs a surface to help collect the sound. So if you had a board, chalkboard, aluminum baking sheet, wooden side of a bogo, table tipped on it's side, etc... Tape the PZM to the surface using gaffers tape and the whole area turns into a gigantic mic. In the case of guitar it's still only probably good a room mic, but it would be interesting to test different surfaces.

[@Orrico84Harp]

Great explanations! I got a nice sound from brass and saxophone with this mic hooked at a rose wood panel wall

[@NinjaGodfather]

What you're saying about how to use it is correct however it's not transferring vibrations like the guitar headstock analogy you used It's more accurate to think of it as a sound collector like a satellite dish or something. A larger surface will collect more base but the base is still coming through the air not vibrations being transferred, I've heard that it correlates to the size of the sound wave in the air.

[@NinjaGodfather]

The correct way to mic a guitar cap with a PZM is to put it on a hard flat boundry surface (hard floor or plywood on carpet etc) directly in front of the cabinet, it will actually sound great if you do this.

[@StephenCameron]

I have a couple of those. They're good for piano, for a budget mic. You're supposed to put them on a flat surface. (Caveat: I mostly don't know what I'm talking about.)

[@sheatanner9935]

I was actually going to mention the piano thing myself. I can't remember if we mic'ed a grand or an upright (I believe it was the grand), but we taped two of them inside the piano and recorded them and mixed them with a room mic and it was awesome. We used Crown PZMs though not realistic.

[@pcbullets8726]

Def a unique sound, maybe not for everyone. It's got a boxy sound, but sounds great with the 57 running at the same time.

[@swaffy101]

“He’s got legs...he knows how to use them.” Hahaha

[@Donald.W.Rissler-ARTS]

Placing the PZM on the wall in front or behind an open back cab is similar to turning the wall surface into to a speaker cone( like using a speaker to capture signals in reverse). You can also use double sided tape to get a more defined transfer of signal from the surface to the PZM.

[@dan_perry]

It's another spice for the tone shelf.

[@hipmetalworx]

I owned a pair of these back in the day, I found a big difference between the AA battery & the suggested upgrade...like a 1/2 size AA, but more juice coming out of them...worked awesome. These are great on piano, bass drum, acoustic guitar and all kinds of stuff. If you record live gigs, as I did, mount them on the largest flat surface you can, helps immensely. They also have excellent soundstage placement....you can tell exactly where & how far things are away from the mic......wish I still had them..!! Cheers from Vancouver Island Michael :)

[@MarshallGTV]

I was in a studio where the engineer used one for the hi hat. Sounded great! When me and my friends used to do 4 track recording we used one on the floor in front of a little practice amp, sounded really good from what I remember.. we used what we could get our hands on. I miss committing to a sound, and making stupid recordings.. times were simple back then 😊

[@firemanmick]

I remember these over 30 years ago. They were considered the best kept secret for getting really good results from a very modestly priced mic.

[@marmaladecream2233]

The PZM pops up in funny places. I was watching an interview with Rob Schnapf who recorded Beck's Mellow Gold. Apparently Beck did the vocals for Loser with a Crown PZM! I dig the tone at 5:!4... could use it as a filtered sound for a guitar break.

[@wolfsdenmusic9404]

I haven't seen one of those in years! And yes, Radio Shack was the start of my home recording voyage. :)

[@aristocaster]

In conferences couple of them were scattered around big tables so they captured everybodys voice, so try again placing it just on the floor, maybe closer to the cabinet

[@nobodynoone2500]

Used to use that exact same mic for room ambiance when i recorded my punk bands in the 90s. Great mics, but very situational.

[@KnockAndAskToday]

That was really cool Mike. Thanks for thinking of something random and taking the time to produce this. I can imagine this would be very useful for someone trying to record at home with a cab hidden away in a wardrobe. Unique professional tones.

[@DelReiRock]

Seriously.... why would anyone dislike it...?

[@wakjob961]

I had one of those... don't know where it ended up. I used to LOVE Radio Shack back in their hayday. Pretty sure that mic is just a piezo on a plate like a drum trigger.

[@batpigguitar]

I like it, adds a nice woody timbre

[@hollywoodjakespeed8354]

Used 3 of those Radio Shack PZMs to record my drummer back in the 90s. Worked Great! We mounted them on a plywood wall we built around the drum kit.

[@itsjohnnymillion]

I loved it. The blends were probably the best and I really liked it on top of the cab. I also really enjoyed watching you work through it on camera.

[@ThemFuzzyMonsters]

I liked it on the cab the most, yet there seems to be a bit of phase misalignment. Once resolved, it could be really cool.

[@kazkylheku1221]

The idea behind the PZM, if I remember, is to put the microphone really close to a surface. That place is the "pressure zone" because only the air pressure can vary; the air cannot move back and forth next to a solid surface. The important thing though is that because the mic is right at the surface, it cannot pick up reflections from that surface, like if it were an inch away, a foot away, or three feet away. Reflections will cancel against the main signal, causing comb filtering effects. To hear that, stand with your face close to a wall and make a loud SSS sound, while moving your head back and forth.

[@freaksarise]

When I hear the heavier sample with the pzm dangling in front of cab it had such a cool mid fwd vibe and seemed like it would fit in perfectly with the 57 direct on cab. Dying to hear them two together. Must go grab my old radio shack mics...

[@JimSlimjimCassi]

Would be something to use if your trying to get that Boston tone, could work with a little EQ tweaks, and some chorus added.

[@jasonwooler801]

What about placing the PZM right in front of the cab with the sm57?

[@JeffIndigo]

On the floor in the room it sounds cool for solos to my ears

[@leftymike5625]

On the cab it was sounding like early AC DC, thinking ride on.🤘

[@markinthemix6055]

Oh shit. It’s the secret ACDC. Microphone

[@exmass]

Ha! I remember that, we had one in the 80's we used to record our drums with. Taped it in the centre of a 3' x 3' chunk of plastic and pointed it towards the hi-hat I think a couple feet back and into the 244 portastudio I had. Hmm, I should dig it out and see how it sounds for guitars. Thanks for the reminder!

[@sendep7]

I started my recording career using PZMs lol, back in highschool in 95 that was the only mic's we were allowed to use.

[@cpfs936]

Used to use those for stage mics in high school theater years ago. Probably better as a room mic for guitar.

[@RichSaculus]

The opamp/preamp in those things can run on voltages up to 15 volts so you can put two 6v camera batteries in there to get more headroom.

[@SlimeyGuitarStrings]

It doesn't sound but definitely has an effect. The honky tele sounded usable to me. I wonder if you just got a couple 2x4s and then made a stand to mount it on (like an upside down) would work in front of the cab?

[@Folk661]

Could be cool on the cab if you could get them phase aligned somehow. Has a great low mid thump to it

[@andywild9183]

I have one of those in a box somewhere, need to dig it out. They were designed to be used on a large flat surface to enable a full frequency response. Thanks again for another trip down memory lane 👍

[@MoreMeRecording]

A buddy of mine who runs a studio where a lot of people go to record their drums and guitars because of the HUGE , awesome play room has been using PZMs (Crown) for years and years. Designed as a secondary mic and not the primary and can add some cool vibe. You really got an AC/DC thing there at one point with the dangle and I wouldn't be surprised if Fraze didn't use one at Warehouse on AC/DC- which also has one of the best play rooms out here.

[@pupstop1]

The PZM always sounded boxy and AM radio ish. I thought the best sound it gave was the first set up hanging in front of cab. Maybe if you put it in front of the cab about a foot away veristically on a music stand or something and then mixed it with the 57. But definitely a cool video. I also remember going to radio shack back in the day,

[@NinjaGodfather]

When used correctly PZM's are extremely clear and not at all boxy.

[@AndGuitar]

So weird, was cleaning out a spare room this morning and found two of those RS PZM mics we used to use for room mics that we hung on the wall. I forgot how decent they sounded at the time.

[@davidjacobsen1903]

It was designed as a wall mount mic....many great room drums have been recorded on these by laying them down in front of the kit, or placing them on a nice timber wall...all mics have a sound and can be useful

[@cta.k.a.barrychan2460]

MORE MIC DEMOS PLS! LOVE THIS!

[@josephshelleyphotographer]

Thanks for the vid. Might try putting it on the floor, directly in front of the speaker. I’m not sure what the specs are on this mic (omni, cardioid, super cardioid…) but since it’s the realistic model that Crown rebranded, I’m guessing it’s one of their lower end pzm mics. I’d love to hear other old Crown pzm’s. Apparently some of them are quite good (depending on the source and placement)

[@judgegroovyman]

That seems like the perfect size of mic to mount inside the grill cloth somewhere and run out the back and leave inside your cabinet so that your cabinet is always mic’d. Finding the right spot is the trick ofc (as usual)

[@mydayis5]

I bought one of those on the late 80s. Amazing mics. Wish I still had it.

[@wrongfuture]

I really like it as a room mic, adds a nice depth. On the cab it sounds pretty ballsy but also phasey, maybe try to align the two tracks in your daw. Another cool thing to try is using it on the back of the cab and blending it in with the SM57 (after flipping the phase). That's something Dave Jerden (Alice In Chains, The Offspring) used to do with two SM57s.

[@luca4352]

only works fine on open back cabs, so 1x12 and 2x12.

[@gmac8852]

Maybe you on to something.

[@gavint6981]

Try it in front of cab on floor right where the sound conical projection reflects off the floor. It should bring out massive chug such as putting it inside a kick drum.

[@danielspangler8358]

Ok, I accidentally submitted the comment before I was finished writing damn it. As I was saying, I used to hang it from the ceiling and use for an overhead Mic for drums, room sounds and rehearsal recording. I love that mic. And I miss Radio Shack too.😌

[@AHGrayLensman]

I've been in some conference rooms and classrooms set up for videoconferencing/distance learning that used PZMs as the mics for the individual audience members. They work okay for that. The SM57/PZM blend at the end would be great for thick Black Album style rhythm guitar tracks.

[@danielspangler8358]

I have one just like it. I cut off the 1/4 inch plug and wired a xlr plug to it. I got the idea back in the early 90's from a magazine called Recording. I us

[@azzazelo]

Messing with weird mics is so much fun

[@aipsong]

I am not sure of this, but I heard that Radio Shack built this with permission of Crown, the original builder. I was also told that Radio Shack built a Moog style synthesizer (with their permission). In both cases, the product was good, and cheaper than the originals. I regret not having bought them. Thanks for the video.

[@socalbassman62]

The 57 sounded best in each test. I would have liked to hear the PZM face up on the floor, closer to the cab with the mic tip facing the amp.

[@AlanW]

I think it was hanging backward there, the bump should be toward the sound source. They are also known as Boundary Layer Microphones if you want to look that up. The idea for these is that they sit on a flat surface, so really it should have been on the floor with the cable away from the cab.

[@z1g]

I was hoping for those 80's football coach shorts.

[@inmusica]

I used to use these. It was facing the wrong direction when hanging from the amp. We used either hang them in the middle of the room or put it on a piece of plexiglass and hang it towards whatever we were trying to record

[@z1g]

@@inmusica Man, you are replying to my comment and it puts things in a very strange and different context. Seriously LMAO

[@malhaven1]

WOW!!! I just picked one of these up at a YARDSALE near my house. It was only $.50!!!

[@ericoreilly8368]

Absolutely love it

[@hotroderdk]

6 or so months later and I’m still kinda digging this PZM microphone of yours! Can we have some more demos done with this mic in combination with other mics again in the future? Maybe with that AMAZING Vai 412 you recently acquired...🤤

[@amplifiedemotions]

Personally I thought it sounded really cool when you put it on top of the cabinet and then blended it with the 57! However the true test would be to hear it in a mix I guess. Very cool video by the way, I remember seeing an ad for these mics at RadioShack and one of their flyers and I had somehow got the impression that that was the type of mic that you wanted to use for a kick drum.

[@GuitarJawn]

Spring reverb makes everything better

[@DonaldHolben]

I have one :) Great mic! Used it in a kick drum , no issues.

[@gregboboski9904]

It's facing away from the speaker when it's dangling in front of the cab, It's half of an omni directional pattern Hemishperiacal it'll still get something off of the floor, but different, mike .......

[@brettvincient]

Shorts and Tele, must be a weird one! Haha. Kidding Had the same look too when hearing the mic "Not terrible"

[@keistutmarger7437]

thank you very much! You'd helped me very well!

[@diggerd6489]

I have one exactly the same, used to record bass on it, hung it in front of the speaker and it was actually ok

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

I like it. I think it's way useable. I remember these never bought one like x- glasses.

[@stevemyers2092]

interesting basement recording sound aux. al la Humble Pie - would have been good for 30 days in the Hole.

[@davidjacobsen1903]

Blue tac is the typical best way to mount them

[@ianfurqueron5850]

The PZM! I remember those. I had one, I think... or used one in theater. Edit... Definitely interesting... I'm sure it might be useful for adding color to a recorded sound.

[@6120orange]

Q: How did it not end up down the back of those shorts? Michael answers: because it’s a room mic and there’s no room down my shorts. I was talking about down the back of your shorts. Michael: So was I. I shouldn’t think and type. Seems the PZM would be a nice blending mic option. I liked the low end when on the cab. Might cut off that 1/4in and hardwire an XLR - adapters suck freqs.

[@johnroesch689]

Crown knock off. I love it

[@BoarderEthan]

The mic was facing away from the cab in the dangle position. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@BigHairyGuitars]

oh crap balls. You're right. I think I assumed it was picking up vibrations through the bottom of the plate.

[@BoarderEthan]

@@BigHairyGuitars I’d be curious to hear it “close” mic’d on the floor right in front of one of the bottom speakers with the lettering on the mic closest to cabinet.

[@WalkerMasuda]

@@BigHairyGuitars I thought it sounded just like a camera/room mic... That explains it (;

[@PromykZamojski]

Don't know of anyone using them on Guitar Cabs. I definitely heard of a few people who used them on Bass cabs as a "Blend Mic".

[@BlugubriousMusic]

2 Things... That mic sounds like it would take a Fultone OCD sound and make it less woofy... it is tough to get something that is not so mid-rangey like a Tube Screamer without going all the way dark... that thing sound like it could put some mids in without full blown mid hump... also, Forrest Williams (original Big Wreck drummer) loves that mic and has done videos on it - he hoards them!... check out his channel... I will not mention we did a tune together and it is on both of our channels... ha ha... here is his channel: kzbin.info/door/xKLbIRWt9PuldOatBgrzTw

[@ryanadams1483]

Can we get a fractal IR with this? Why not

[@JRP3music]

I used those before in a galaxy far far away.

[@Orrico84Harp]

i have one! And ya re giving me a lot of cab miking... Even for brass and harmonica blend or blumlein with ribbons and cardioid microphone s ... Sound amazing... And guess what? Drums and tap dancing or even cinema applies... Big explosions too... Its a super cheap but rich gear... Which doesn't exist in this era anymore... Early 80s this thing was saling like hell... I i guess it is US Japan cooperation

[@BadCat1990]

For some reason the word tin can comes to mind when I hear it next to the 57.

[@thirdageamplifiers]

SM57 and PSM in the first position, and play with the phasing between the two ... I hear Soundgarden BadMotorFinger tones.

[@johnroesch689]

Yes.i have one. i wired the balance transformer to it

[@L.Scott_Music]

Radio Shack is back... on-line anyway. Facing up and slide under the cab?

[@Brannington]

ah shit this is actually kinda eye-opening. might have to thrift around for one of these if not something similar. love that janky midrange 🤔🤔

[@nightw4tchman]

4:20 sounded pretty sweet, kind of ironic.

[@Yupppi]

Hey gum is okay. Dentists recommend two pieces of pure jenkki xylitol gum from finland after every meal to stop the bacteria attack and protect your enamel :) Also I'm so sorry for you california people, we just got the first +20C days and it kills a man. You have like 10C more, or even more all year around. Wear shorts all you want, I'd love to take them off altogether. Cool sound in that mic, not bad. Not best for middly marshall tones in my opinion though, emphasizes too much the same frequencies. Maybe great for some dark but sparkly smooth fender amp tones? Gives nice body to sm57 though in those weird places.

[@michaelmarshall55]

you were playing with your fingers because they sounded a hell of a lot more interesting than your pick on the semi distort stuff

[@danthrax7407]

Interesting and funny like always (cannot get out of my mind your nice legs!!). I remember experimenting with an old car speaker using it as a mic...nice results with my 412 Randall Cab, Jaguar speakers. I´m sure you could record a guitar using a funnel and get nice tones man!!

[@normjones6916]

It was a great vocal mic goin to tape

[@miked9000]

At 5:14 The sound was dead on "Mama Kin". kzbin.info/www/bejne/epDPdoSlg7JqZqM

[@DuroSamples]

2:56 Maybe if you turn it to face the cone....? That would have been epic... But too late.

[@giraffewaggoner8119]

Ur supposed to tape it to your hat bill...so we can hear wgat you hear...duh...thats why its called " realistic"...got to run it through a tandy 1000 super computer to get the early tones.

[@stefanozurich]

Nah