Recording techniques

Question 1

Electric/Bass Guitar

Answer 1

Dynamic mic with a cardioid polar pattern placed about 15cm from in front of the amplifier

The placement on speaker gives brightness-centre of cone is bright, edge of cone is duller

if the mic is on-axis, the sound will be brighter than when it is off-axis

You could use a condenser with pad switched on

a DI box could be used

Question 2

Acoustic Guitar

Answer 2

Condenser microphones because they have a wider frequency response

They also capture the wide dynamic range of the guitar with good sensitivity

A small diaphragm condenser mic will give a fast transient response meaning it will be the best mic to capture the brightness of the instrument

A large diaphragm mic could be used for greater sensitivity

A cardioid condenser mic should be placed approximately 15-60cm in front of the 12th fret of the guitar

Question 3

Trumpet/Trombone

Answer 3

Dynamic or Condenser

place in front of the bell or slightly to the side to allow for a more mellow sound

use pad on condenser

Question 4

Saxophone

Answer 4

dynamic or condenser

Condenser for slight distance.

Dynamic for spot milking

Question 5

Flute/Clarinet

Answer 5

Condenser

sound comes from the key holes and mouthpiece so a condenser placed above is best for recording

Question 6

Grand Piano

Answer 6

open the lid of the piano and use condenser mics to capture the brightness of the strings

the mics should be far enough away so not to emphasize a few single notes.

30cm is a good distance

Question 7

Upright piano

Answer 7

remove the front panel of the piano and mic strings with a spaced or XY pair of condensers

You could also mic the soundboard of a piano if it is far a way from nearby walls.

the mic pics up less noise from the pedal thumps and piano noises but ht ecaptured sound will be duller.

Question 8

Vocals

Answer 8

Condenser mic to capture full frequency range

Performer could be up to 30cm away from pop shield which should itself be 8-12cm from the mic

Use shock mount to isolate the mic from vibrations through stand

Question 9

Drum kit

Answer 9

for the kick drum use a large diaphragm dynamic mic to pick up the low frequencies

Use dynamic mics for the toms: position them around 15cm away

a dynamic or condenser with pad can be used for the snare

A small diaphragm condenser is suitable for the hi hat it should be placed above the top cymbal between 10-15cm away, pointing down to avoid air blasting

Overhead condenser’s should be used for the main cymbal sound

Question 10

XY Pair

Answer 10

Two cardioid mics placed so that the capsules are right next to each other

this combines the polar patterns which creates a stereo image.

Question 11

Spaced

Answer 11

two omni mics placed around 30-50cm apart

Useful for recording large ensemble’s and performances which require a sense of ambiance

Question 12

Mid-side

Answer 12

a Cardioid and a figure of 8 mic

Set up at 90 degrees from one another.

The cardioid mic should point straight at the sound source and the fI8 picks up the sound ffrom the sides.