Music & Audio Advice Music & Audio Advice Microphone Selection and Placement Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is the recommended distance for placing a large-diaphragm condenser microphone when recording a solo acoustic guitar?

Accepted Answer

6 to 12 inches from the 12th fret

Answer

Directly inside the sound hole

Answer

3 feet away aimed at the bridge

Answer

Touching the guitar body near the neck joint

Question 2

Which microphone polar pattern is best suited for rejecting sound from the sides while capturing audio from the front and rear?

Accepted Answer

Figure-8 (bidirectional)

Answer

Cardioid

Answer

Supercardioid

Answer

Omnidirectional

Question 3

When using the mid-side stereo technique, what polar pattern should the side microphone have?

Accepted Answer

Figure-8

Answer

Cardioid

Answer

Omnidirectional

Answer

Hypercardioid

Question 4

What is the primary reason for using a high-pass filter on a microphone when recording vocals in a home studio?

Accepted Answer

To reduce low-frequency rumble from HVAC, footsteps, and room resonance

Answer

To boost the singer's upper harmonics for presence

Answer

To eliminate sibilance in the 5-8 kHz range

Answer

To increase the overall recording level

Question 5

Which type of microphone is generally preferred for miking a snare drum in a live concert setting?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic cardioid microphone

Answer

Large-diaphragm tube condenser

Answer

Ribbon microphone

Answer

Lavalier microphone

Question 6

What happens to a condenser microphone's frequency response when you position it at an extreme off-axis angle to the sound source?

Accepted Answer

High frequencies roll off more than low frequencies, causing a duller tone

Answer

The microphone produces a flat response identical to on-axis

Answer

Low frequencies are attenuated while highs remain unchanged

Answer

The microphone switches to omnidirectional behavior