KindaScratchy
New member
Hi folks:
I use a Zoom H4n for in-home and field recording. At home, I use an external condenser mic set-up, but in the field, I generally use the built-in mics. Some of the field recording is done at bluegrass jams where the musicians sit in a circle. I'm trying to find the best placement for the Zoom in that situation.
I've figured out that, ideally, the mics should be pointed at the sound source, but in a bluegrass jam, the sound is coming from 360 degrees. My question is what is the best place to position the recorder to capture the lead vocals (which are stationary for each song but change direction as people take turns leading during the jam), breaks/solos (which come from different directions during each song, and the group as a whole.
I've tried placing the recorder on the floor pointing straight up and on a mic stand, also pointing straight up, with varying results. I think that when it's pointed straight up, placing it low is better. But in either case sometimes the sound is muddy or vocals or instruments are too soft.
I'm wondering if it would be better to place the recorder higher and angled up or even horizontal, and keep turning it with each song to point at the lead singer. The latter option obviously wouldn't help capture instruments taking breaks (solos)...I'm a participant in the jam so I can't keep turning it during a song.
What would you do? Any and all advice is appreciated.
I use a Zoom H4n for in-home and field recording. At home, I use an external condenser mic set-up, but in the field, I generally use the built-in mics. Some of the field recording is done at bluegrass jams where the musicians sit in a circle. I'm trying to find the best placement for the Zoom in that situation.
I've figured out that, ideally, the mics should be pointed at the sound source, but in a bluegrass jam, the sound is coming from 360 degrees. My question is what is the best place to position the recorder to capture the lead vocals (which are stationary for each song but change direction as people take turns leading during the jam), breaks/solos (which come from different directions during each song, and the group as a whole.
I've tried placing the recorder on the floor pointing straight up and on a mic stand, also pointing straight up, with varying results. I think that when it's pointed straight up, placing it low is better. But in either case sometimes the sound is muddy or vocals or instruments are too soft.
I'm wondering if it would be better to place the recorder higher and angled up or even horizontal, and keep turning it with each song to point at the lead singer. The latter option obviously wouldn't help capture instruments taking breaks (solos)...I'm a participant in the jam so I can't keep turning it during a song.
What would you do? Any and all advice is appreciated.