Best Practices For Positioning a Cardioid Micro for Different Types of Recording

  Mic positioning is one of the most critical techniques of recording. From an acoustic guitar in an echoy cellar to drum kit recordings in a studio environment, getting microphone placement just right is essential to producing great mixes. Mics typically feature a cardioid polar pattern, meaning that they are most sensitive to sounds entering through their front (logo side). They ignore sounds entering from behind - known as proximity effect. 1. Position the mic in front of the source. Mic placement has an enormous effect on audio quality. Podcasters (and anyone speaking into a mic) usually opt for traditional cardioid pattern mics; these tend to pick up sounds from all directions but are most sensitive to sounds coming directly in front of it. You should position a cardioid mic so it focuses on one specific source while attenuating ambient noise as much as possible during recording. At minimum, it's ideal to keep your microphone within 6-12 inches of its source; this is known as close miking. Close miking helps minimize ambient noises and bleed that might otherwise enter through too far a distance; yet too close may cause audio quality problems; finding that Goldilocks zone of 6-12 inches usually results in clear and crisp audio output. Cardioid mics offer many advantages over their rivals when it comes to rejecting unwanted sounds from behind them, thanks to their rear null point. This makes this type of mic ideal for live sound reinforcement applications where feedback control can be difficult; simply positioning it away from any monitors or loudspeakers will help stop feedback loops from being triggered by the microphone. Cardioid microphones also boast an impressive amount of gain-before-feedback when used close to live speakers, thanks to their rear null points and simple positioning away from any speakers. This technique works great when stereo miking choirs, orchestras or drum kits as it creates an even and natural stereo image. You could also try employing the 3:1 microphone rule when stereo miking as this will significantly lower amplitude pickup by each mic while eliminating phase issues that might arise with stereo imaging. 2. Position the mic behind the source. When using a cardioid mic for vocals or other acoustic instruments, it's essential to be wary of the proximity effect. This phenomenon causes microphones to pick up more low end when placed closer to sources; this can make sounds thin or boomy depending on their source material. To best achieve results and avoid proximity effects while creating recordings with more open and airy quality. Aim for keeping microphone about 6 inches from source material for optimal results and recording! When setting up a cardioid mic for vocals, another thing to be wary of when positioning is vocal plosives. Plosives are hard consonants that may overload a mic - to reduce this possibility it is recommended to position it further from its source and off-axis (see tip 13). This will allow any energy generated from vocal plosives to dissipate into air before hitting its diaphragm, making less likely its overloading the microphone diaphragm and thus less likely overloading it! Stereo miking with two cardioid mics placed at right angles to each other is one of the most commonly employed techniques, producing an excellent stereo image without phase issues that arise with AB miking. Cardioid microphones offer another unique use - close-miking. This technique is often employed during live performances or crowded studio spaces to reduce noise from other sound sources and bleed. Close miking may also be beneficial when recording solo instruments or panel discussions. One of the greatest features of cardioid microphones is their rear null point, making them ideal for live sound reinforcement situations to gain maximum gain-before-feedback. Simply positioning the mic away from monitors or loudspeakers will produce amazing results. 3. Position the mic above the source. For optimal vocal mic sound quality, placing it close to the mouth will reduce plosives and sibilance - especially important when recording aggressive rock vocals. But you must be mindful not to get too close and risk proximity effect - generally keeping 6-12 inches should suffice. Your mic placement depends on both the vocals you are recording and the room in which they will be recorded in. Close-miking tends to produce clearer and more focused sound while distant-miking can capture richer, ambient sounds more effectively; both types offer distinct advantages; it is essential to experiment with various setups until finding one suitable to your situation. Rotating the microphone is another effective way to enhance vocal clarity, as this can reduce plosives and sibilance by off-axis cancelling effects from vocalist's breath on mic capsule. Furthermore, this technique may reduce bass response while increasing treble on cardioid mics - try rotating 20 degrees and observe its effects on tone! An effective method for creating natural-sounding stereo recordings is using two coincident and near-coincident cardioid microphones in stereo, either omnidirectional or bidirectional mics; just be sure that both microphones' capsules point toward your sound source in an identical fashion (perpendicular to your palm). Utilizing this technique will produce a stereo signal with a blend of intensity and time delay, commonly used when recording piano and small ensembles; but can also be utilized when recording vocals. Setting up your mic may involve many variables, but by following some basic guidelines and best practices you should be able to achieve an excellent vocal recording within minutes. No matter if it's being recorded in studio or outdoors; using these tips will give your recordings the best sound possible. 4. Position the mic below the source. When using a cardioid mic for voice recording, it's crucial that the microphone remains several inches away from your mouth. Too close will produce the proximity effect and cause your voice to sound muffled; too far can lead to thin and flat results. An ideal distance is 6-12 inches from your mouth which will ensure you achieve rich and full sound while helping prevent plosives from being recorded onto the microphone, which would otherwise compromise audio quality and make understanding what you're saying difficult. Another approach for microphone placement is using an XY stereo setup, which requires two mics but works effectively at capturing ambient sounds and creating an illusion of space. To accomplish this task, position a cardioid mic in front of its source while placing another bidirectional mic below or above it pointing in an arc between 70 degrees and 110 degrees with both capsules pointing toward its source for best results. This will generate stereo signal that provides an even balance of both direct and room sound sources. Recording drums using this technique is a popular choice because it enables you to capture both sides of a snare drum's sound source, giving a more balanced sound while avoiding potential phasing issues. Use a snare drum mic to reduce external sounds such as your feet hitting the floor and other external noise. When working with drummers, try and pay close attention to how they move with their instrument - this way, your mic should be set in its ideal spot to capture what you're searching for. As you may have observed in many studios, tube mics are typically placed with their tubes facing upward. This is because their tubes produce heat which, by turning the mic upside-down, reduces its exposure. By positioning it this way, this protects diaphragms and capsules from damage while protecting diaphragms and capsules from being exposed directly. While not necessary for all mics, positioning tube microphones this way might prove helpful when recording vocals.