Microphone Placement Techniques Flashcards

When recording a string quartet, why might a single stereo pair placed slightly above and in front be preferred over close-miking each player?

Answer: It preserves natural blend and balance between instruments

A well-placed stereo pair captures the ensemble's acoustic blend the way a listener would hear it.

For a vocalist with strong sibilance, slightly placing the mic off-axis can help by doing what?

Answer: Reducing harsh 's' frequencies hitting the diaphragm directly

Sibilant energy is most intense on-axis, so an off-axis angle softens the harsh 's' sounds.

What problem does placing a directional mic too far from a quiet source typically introduce?

Answer: A poor signal-to-noise ratio with audible hiss

Distant placement on quiet sources requires more gain, raising the noise floor.

When recording a horn section live, gobos (acoustic baffles) are often used between sections to achieve what?

Answer: Reduced bleed between microphones

Gobos provide physical isolation that limits how much each mic picks up of other instruments.

For a tom-tom, angling the mic down toward the center of the head while keeping it close mainly does what?

Answer: Captures attack and tone while rejecting cymbal bleed

A close, downward angle focuses on the tom and uses the mic's rejection to limit cymbal bleed.

Why is an omnidirectional mic sometimes chosen for close acoustic work despite picking up more room?

Answer: It has no proximity effect and a more natural low end

Omni mics don't exhibit proximity bass boost, giving an even, natural response up close.

When micing a guitar amp with two mics (e.g., a dynamic and a ribbon), keeping their capsules aligned at the same distance helps avoid what?

Answer: Phase cancellation between the two signals

Matching the distance keeps the two captures time-aligned, preventing comb-filtering when blended.