Applying Appropriate Microphone Placement and Techniques

Understanding Microphone Placement

Microphone placement is fundamental to the capturing of good quality audio. The position of the microphone can greatly impact the sound it records.
Different microphones have different directional characteristics. For instance, an omni-directional microphone picks up sound equally from all directions, while a uni-directional (or cardioid) microphone is more sensitive to sound coming from the front.
Certain microphones are designed for specific placements. Lavalier microphones (small mics that clip onto clothing) are used for capturing speech and are usually placed on the speaker’s chest.
Distance between the sound source and the microphone also matters. Too far away might lead to room noise, while too close might cause distortion or a boom-like effect known as the proximity effect.
For recording instruments, the mic should typically be placed at a sweet spot where the best sound is produced. This varies between different instruments.

Microphone Techniques

The studio technique involves placing the microphone close to the instrument or sound source. This technique helps reduce background noise.
The stereo technique involves using two microphones to record sound in a way that mimics human hearing. This gives the effect of “space” in the recording.
The X-Y technique and the A-B technique are two common stereo recording techniques. The X-Y technique uses two cardioid mics at an angle between 90 and 120 degrees, while the A-B technique uses two omni-directional mics spaced apart by about two feet.
Understanding these techniques lets you choose the one which best fits the recording environment and sound source.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Avoid microphone bleed by ensuring there is enough distance between microphones when recording multiple sources.
Make sure to use a pop filter when recording vocals to prevent plosive sounds from causing distortion.
Always check the microphone level on your mixer or DAW to ensure the signal it is not too weak or too strong, which could respectively lead to noise or distortion.
Practice good mic handling to prevent unwanted noise and interference.

Pay careful attention to microphone placement and technique to ensure that you capture the best possible sound in your recordings. Each scenario will require a different approach, so being familiar with a variety of techniques is beneficial.