Music & Audio Advice Microphone Placement Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an XY coincident stereo setup, the two cardioid capsules are positioned how?
- At the same point, angled roughly 90 degrees apart (Correct answer)
- Several feet apart facing forward
- Back to back
- Stacked vertically facing up
Correct answer: At the same point, angled roughly 90 degrees apart
XY places capsules as close together as possible at an angle, giving strong mono compatibility.
Question 2: An ORTF stereo configuration uses two cardioid mics spaced 17 cm apart at what angle?
- 110 degrees (Correct answer)
- 45 degrees
- 180 degrees
- 90 degrees
Correct answer: 110 degrees
ORTF spaces capsules 17 cm apart at 110 degrees to mimic human ear spacing for a natural image.
Question 3: When miking a brass section, why is some distance from the bell often preferred?
- To let the sound develop and avoid harshness (Correct answer)
- To capture valve clicks
- To increase distortion
- To reduce all volume
Correct answer: To let the sound develop and avoid harshness
Brass instruments project a focused, harsh beam at the bell, so backing off yields a fuller blend.
Question 4: For a Decca Tree orchestral setup, the three mics are arranged in what shape?
- A triangle with a center mic forward of two outer mics (Correct answer)
- A straight line
- A vertical stack
- A circle around the conductor
Correct answer: A triangle with a center mic forward of two outer mics
The Decca Tree uses a center mic ahead of two spaced outer mics for a wide, stable orchestral image.
Question 5: Placing a microphone near a wall or floor (boundary placement) primarily helps with what?
- Reducing phase cancellation from reflections (Correct answer)
- Adding more reverb
- Boosting only treble
- Eliminating the direct sound
Correct answer: Reducing phase cancellation from reflections
Boundary mics sit at the reflective surface, so the reflected and direct sounds arrive together without cancellation.
Question 6: When recording a singer-songwriter playing guitar and singing simultaneously, what placement challenge is most common?
- Bleed between the vocal and guitar mics (Correct answer)
- Too little gain
- Excessive sub-bass
- Loss of stereo width
Correct answer: Bleed between the vocal and guitar mics
With two close sources, each mic picks up the other instrument, causing bleed and possible phase issues.
Question 7: Why do engineers often use a pop filter a few inches in front of a vocal mic?
- To reduce plosive bursts from P and B sounds (Correct answer)
- To boost high frequencies
- To add reverb
- To increase proximity effect
Correct answer: To reduce plosive bursts from P and B sounds
A pop filter disperses the blast of air from plosives before it hits the diaphragm.
Music & Audio Advice Microphone Placement Techniques 3
In an XY coincident stereo setup, the two cardioid capsules are positioned how?