From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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The secret to mic placement

The secret to mic placement

From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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The secret to mic placement

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When you begin to add multiple mics, compression, and EQ during recording in an effort to find the perfect sound, it's really easy to get frustrated. If you are doing that you're probably overlooking some of the basics of mic placement that can get you where you want to go pretty easily. Go out into the room, stand in front of the instrument, and listen to the musician play the part from the song that you are about to record. Playing the song is important because you might be deceived if it's another song or just random playing. Listen for the tonal balance from the vocal and/or instrument as well as the way the room responds to it. Listening to the instrument in the room will give you a reference point to the way it really sounds so you can compare it to what you hear in the speakers in the control room. There are several ways to find the sweet spot, place an omni-directional mic, cover one ear, and listen with the other. Move around the player until you find a spot that sounds best,…

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