Where To Put The Microphone

[BruceAMiller]

If you are dealing with specific instruments there are variables you have to consider. For example, if you are recording an acoustic piano are you going for a warm jazz sound or a cutting pop sound (mic the box or the hammers)?

But no matter what instrument you are recording, there is one basic thing to do:

Have the musician play. Move your head around the instrument and person...also up and down. Where it sounds good, PUT THE MIC!

This is very basic but beginners tend to mic by eye rather than ear. I have often been told that I have been the first person to capture the sound of certain unusual instruments (such as the Sanshin).

While this is difficult for close mics for loud instruments, this technique will work for most of what you record.

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[Marik]

Bruce,

This is a very good and valid point, and would be 100% true if you use omni mics, which behave more or less like our ears. However, cardioids (or fig8, hyper) behave and 'hear' music differently--proximity effect, different polar pattern, etc. It would be a very good starting point to place where YOU hear it best, but exact positioning will need to be adjuasted while monitoring.

[BruceAMiller]

I agree!