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🎙️ Microphone Techniques

Simplified mic placement and signal input suggestions.

🎸 Acoustic Guitar

  • Condenser mic → increased presence

  • Dynamic mic → fuller bottom end

  • Placement tips:

    • Point toward the middle of the sound hole → more bottom

    • Point toward the neck side of the hole → brighter highs

  • Live sound setup:

    • Dynamic mic ~10" from sound hole

    • Condenser mic ~12 ft away (quiet room only) → adds natural reverb

  • Studio Tip: Sound travels ~1 ft/ms. A mic 12 ft away introduces ~10–11 ms delay, which can affect timing but also add room feel.

  • Room considerations:

    • If HVAC noise is present → mic close or shut it down

    • If room is too “live” → move mics closer

    • Bedroom hack → open closet doors; clothes absorb reflections

🎸 Electric Guitar Amp

  • Use a dynamic mic (e.g., Shure SM57)

  • Position 6–8" from the center of the speaker cone

  • Experiment slightly off‑center for more natural tone

🎹 Electric Keyboards / Acoustic Piano

  • Electric keyboards: run outputs directly into mixer/audio interface

  • Acoustic piano:

    • Raise lid, place condenser mic near middle of soundboard

    • Upright/spinet pianos → poor results if even slightly out of tune (electrics are more reliable)

🥁 Drums

  • Bass drum:

    • If front head has a hole → place dynamic mic there

    • Add small pillow inside to reduce ringing

    • If no hole → mic close to head (without touching); EQ will be key

  • Snare / Hi‑Hat / Toms:

    • With limited mics → place dynamic mic between snare & hi‑hat

    • With extra mics:

      • Dynamic mic angled ~1" from snare head (avoid stick path)

      • Condenser mic over hi‑hat ~3–4" away

      • For toms → one mic above/between all toms; use EQ for separation

🎤 Vocals

  • Place mic stand in front of an open closet door → clothes absorb reflections

  • Condenser mics generally best for vocals

  • Background singers:

    • Semi‑circle around mic’s business side

    • Still use closet trick unless padded baffles are available

🎺 Horns

Mic placement suggestions for groups and solo horns.

🎷 Group Horns

  • Arrange players based on volume/power:

    • Loudest horns → farthest from mic (~3 ft)

    • Softer horns → closer to mic

  • Balance check: Record a short test and adjust distances until blend feels natural

🎷 Single Horns (e.g., Saxophone)

  • Saxophones have a biting tone that can easily overpower other instruments

  • To add life and depth:

    • Place one mic ~12 ft away from the main mic

    • Route to a separate channel for added dimension and mix control

🎛️ Studio Tip

  • Distance miking on horns can create natural room ambience and depth in the mix

  • A mic placed ~12 ft away introduces a slight delay (~10–11 ms), adding space and character without artificial reverb

  • Always test and adjust — room acoustics will strongly influence the result