Ultimate noob question: What exactly is proximity effect? In a nutshell...

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danielheeger

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So yeah, as the title says, could you please kindly explain to me what this is? I keep seeing people talk about it, but when I try to do web research on it, well...it's a little bit over my head...haha. I mean, as far as what it does to sound quality and all that. I apologize about the stupidity of this question. Thanks in advance.
 
With a vocal track you can hear it very easily when one moves from about a foot from the microphone to right up on it ... the bass of the track will be really pronounced.

Hope that helps.
 
moresound said:
With a vocal track you can hear it very easily when one moves from about a foot from the microphone to right up on it ... the bass of the track will be really pronounced.

Hope that helps.
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It does actually. So, I was thinking it was something else. hahaha. So, sometimes with vocals, it may actually be a desired effect?

Also, that would have nothing to do with the fact that sometimes with my distorted guitar tracks, that they can sound kind of a couple feet away, even though I am close mic'ing? Thanks for the reply, btw.
 
Yes a desired vocal effect indeed. Called working the microphone. It's an instrument as well and can take some practice to get it right, at the right time.
 
Agree with what moresound said. Also, I'm not sure how close to the guitar cab your mic is but anything more than 6" or so is going to pick up some room noise especially in a small room i.e. reflections. That may be what you're hearing.
 
also - a cardiod pattern will have more proximity effect (more bass the closer you get). Omni pattern will not have the same bass boost - so if you're wanting to mic something very close (like a upright bass for example) and have too much bass you might want to go w/ an omni capsule.
 
danielheeger said:
Also, that would have nothing to do with the fact that sometimes with my distorted guitar tracks, that they can sound kind of a couple feet away, even though I am close mic'ing?
Click to expand...
It might. There's probably something else going on, and likely moving the mic around will help whatever the issue is, but...

...If proximity effect increases bass response, it basically reduces higher frequencies by comparison, which is one of the things that happens with distance. It is at least conceivable that the added low frequency content is using up all of your headroom making it difficult to get the higher frequencies to be as loud and "up front" as you would like. More likely, you have other issues.
 
A couple of things:

First, proximity effect only occurs with directional microphones (cardioid, hypercardioid and so on). It's not just that omni mics are less susceptible--they're not affected at all. This is a function of the way directional mics are built to give less pickup to the rear--if you do some Googling, there are some good sites with diagrams that explain it better than I could do with words only.

Second, yes, proximity effect is often used for a specific sound. I've worked with some voice over artists (those known for their deep "just when you thought it was safe to..." voices and some of them insist on using short shot gun mics close up in the studio. This can result in 16dB or more boost to the low bass part of their voices.
 
Bobbsy said:
A couple of things:

First, proximity effect only occurs with directional microphones (cardioid, hypercardioid and so on). It's not just that omni mics are less susceptible--they're not affected at all. This is a function of the way directional mics are built to give less pickup to the rear--if you do some Googling, there are some good sites with diagrams that explain it better than I could do with words only.

Second, yes, proximity effect is often used for a specific sound. I've worked with some voice over artists (those known for their deep "just when you thought it was safe to..." voices and some of them insist on using short shot gun mics close up in the studio. This can result in 16dB or more boost to the low bass part of their voices.
Click to expand...

Yup and it is also because as the mic gets closer to the source the wavefront changes from planar to spherical and directional mics are sensitive to the velocity component. Don't mind me, got a new book on sound science for Crimble!

Dave.
 
:p Google - Never mind.

Crimble or Krimble is a slang term for Christmas coined by The Beatles as part of their 1964 Christmas record issued via the Beatles Fan Club. It is believed to have been coined by John Lennon given his penchant for wordplay. The term has come into general use among Liverpudlians, though use has spread to the wider world.
 
Merry Crimbo Crombo Crislo Modo !

I went to school with a guy from Liverpool and he used to refer to it as "Crimbo".
 
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