Music & Audio Advice Microphone Placement Techniques 2

Question 1

When close-miking an acoustic guitar, where does aiming the mic at the 12th fret instead of the sound hole typically help?

Accepted Answer

It reduces boomy low-end buildup

Answer

It increases bass response

Answer

It eliminates string noise entirely

Answer

It captures only the pick attack

Question 2

What is the main reason for using the 3:1 rule when placing multiple microphones?

Accepted Answer

To minimize comb-filtering from phase interference

Answer

To boost overall gain

Answer

To widen the stereo image

Answer

To reduce background hiss

Question 3

For a kick drum, placing the mic inside the shell close to the beater head tends to emphasize what?

Accepted Answer

The click and attack of the beater

Answer

The room ambience

Answer

The low sub rumble only

Answer

The snare bleed

Question 4

When recording a grand piano for a pop track, placing mics over the hammers rather than far back produces what?

Accepted Answer

A brighter, more articulate attack

Answer

A darker, distant tone

Answer

More pedal noise only

Answer

Reduced note definition

Question 5

Why might an engineer place a microphone off-axis to a guitar amp speaker cone?

Accepted Answer

To roll off harsh high frequencies

Answer

To increase treble harshness

Answer

To eliminate all midrange

Answer

To capture more room reverb

Question 6

What does the proximity effect cause when a directional mic is placed very close to a vocalist?

Accepted Answer

A boost in low frequencies

Answer

A cut in low frequencies

Answer

Increased high-frequency hiss

Answer

A loss of all bass

Question 7

For overhead drum mics in a spaced-pair configuration, what is the primary goal of careful equal-distance measurement?

Accepted Answer

Keeping the snare centered and in phase

Answer

Maximizing cymbal volume

Answer

Removing the kick entirely

Answer

Adding artificial delay