Room mic

Just wondering if anyone else does this too.

When tracking I usually setup the mic the best I can, and then put a room mic off in the distance about 4 ft or so. I keep the room mic where it is.

I do this for all tracks and use the room mic for realistic ambience instead of reverb because I can't seem to get a good, realistic room sound out of reverb. I usually use it to "polish" the sound instead.

Anyway, I notice this helps to get a more realistic "sound stage" and makes things easier because I can just adjust the level of the "dry" track compared to the "wet" (room) track to bring things back or forward in the mix as opposed to just left and right.

This probably wouldn't work in some recording situations but it's just me most of the time so it works out pretty well. I had a few phase issues when first doing this but if I keep the room mic where it is and record everything else at about the same spot it works pretty good.

I also find it helps to keep the room mic in a dead area pointed at the source otherwise it will just pick up room reflections and sound like shit.

Anyone else do this?

[punkin]

Not a bad place to start.

A big part of the deal is to know your recording room, then the gear you plan to use. You're off to a good start and if you like the sound then you're one up on it.

Placement is everything. Try moving the subject, the subject mic and the room mic around and note the changes.

You're working the equipment now...good job.

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by danny.guitar

I also find it helps to keep the room mic in a dead area pointed at the source otherwise it will just pick up room reflections and sound like shit.

You had me - I was going to say "If the room sounds good, this can be handy" - until the above paragraph. To which I can only reply: .

G.

Originally Posted by SouthSIDE Glen

You had me - I was going to say "If the room sounds good, this can be handy" - until the above paragraph. To which I can only reply: .

G.

The problem is my room doesn't sound good. So I have to put the room mic in the closet infront of a bunch of clothes. Otherwise I just get a shitty sound.

In a deadened area (isolated from all the bad-room reflections) it can give a good sense of proximity without all the shitty reflections.

Maybe in a good room this wouldn't be necessary, but I'm in a small untreated bedroom.