Music & Audio Advice Microphone Selection and Placement Questions and Answers

Question 1

A recording engineer wants to capture the detailed nuances and high-frequency content of a fingerpicked acoustic guitar in a studio setting.
Which type of microphone is generally the most suitable choice for this application?

Accepted Answer

Small-diaphragm condenser microphone

Answer

Dynamic microphone

Answer

Ribbon microphone

Answer

PZM (Pressure Zone Microphone)

Question 2

When recording a vocalist, moving a directional microphone (like a cardioid) very close to the sound source results in an increase in low-frequency response. What is this phenomenon called?

Accepted Answer

Proximity effect

Answer

Phantom power effect

Answer

Doppler effect

Answer

Comb filtering

Question 3

An audio engineer is tasked with recording a large symphony orchestra and wants to achieve a wide, spacious, and natural stereo image. Which of the following stereo microphone techniques is specifically designed for this purpose, typically utilizing three omnidirectional microphones on a T-shaped bar?

Accepted Answer

Decca Tree

Answer

X-Y (Coincident Pair)

Answer

ORTF (Near-Coincident Pair)

Answer

Blumlein Pair

Question 4

In a live performance setting with high stage volume from monitors and other instruments, a vocalist needs a microphone that provides maximum rejection of sound from the sides and rear. Which polar pattern would be the most effective choice?

Accepted Answer

Supercardioid

Answer

Omnidirectional

Answer

Cardioid

Answer

Figure-8

Question 5

A recording engineer wants to capture both the low-end 'thump' and the high-end 'click' of a kick drum. A common two-mic technique involves placing one microphone inside the drum focused on the beater and another microphone just outside the resonant head's port hole. What is the primary purpose of the microphone placed inside, aimed at the beater?

Accepted Answer

To primarily capture the attack and high-frequency 'click' of the beater.

Answer

To capture the fundamental low-frequency resonance of the drum shell.

Answer

To pick up the sympathetic vibrations from the snare drum.

Answer

To capture the overall ambient sound of the drum kit.

Question 6

Which of the following stereo miking techniques relies on differences in both timing (phase) and intensity (level) to create its stereo image, by spacing two cardioid microphones 17cm apart at a 110-degree angle?

Accepted Answer

ORTF Technique

Answer

X-Y Technique

Answer

Spaced Pair (A/B)

Answer

Mid-Side (M-S)

A recording engineer wants to capture the detailed nuances and high-frequency content of a fingerpicked acoustic guitar in a studio setting.Which type of microphone is generally the most suitable choice for this application?

A recording engineer wants to capture the detailed nuances and high-frequency content of a fingerpicked acoustic guitar in a studio setting.
Which type of microphone is generally the most suitable choice for this application?