Recording Techniques

Question 1

How do you record a electric guitar/bass guitar

Answer 1

• close mic
• use a dynamic microphone (for its high SPL)
• cardioid polar pattern placed
• 15cm from the front of the amplifier

Question 2

Why are acoustic guitars usually recorded with a condenser mic

Answer 2

Their wide frequency response and accurate reproduction of high frequency content

Question 3

How would you record a trumpet or a trombone

Answer 3

• Use a dynamic microphone or a condenser mic with a PAD
• place in front of the bell, or slightly to the side for a more mellow sound

Question 4

How would you record a saxophone

Answer 4

Use a dynamic or condenser mic, be careful to avoid the sound of the player pressing the keys

Question 5

How do you record a flute or a clarinet

Answer 5

• use a condenser mic
• the sound emanates from the key holes and mouthpiece, so place the mic above the instrument for the best sounds

Question 6

How do you record a grand piano

Answer 6

• open piano lid, and use condenser mics to capture the brightness of the top strings
• 30cm away is a good distance
• use shock mounts
• pointed towards the hammers in a XY position

Question 7

How to record vocals

Answer 7

• Use a large diaphragm condenser microphone
• performer should be 30 cm from pop shield which should be 8-12 cm away from mic its self
• use shock mounts to isolate the mic from vibrations through stand
• use pop shield to avoid capturing to much plosives

Question 8

What are the three stereo mic techniques names

Answer 8

• XY pair
• AB pair
• MS pair

Question 9

Describe the XY stereo mic technique

Answer 9

• two cardioid mics placed so that the capsules are right next to each other - make a 90º angle
• this combines the polar pattern of the two capsules to create a stereo image
• because the mics are basically touching, a good mono compatibility is maintained

Question 10

Describe the AB stereo mic technique

Answer 10

• two omnidirectional mics placed around 30-50 cm apart
• useful for the recording of large ensembles and performances that require a sense of ambience

Question 11

Describe the MS stereo mic technique

Answer 11

• mid-sized pair
• a cardioid and a figure of eight mic
• set up 90º from each other
• the cardioid mic should point straight at the sound source, and the the figure of 8 mic should pic up sounds from the side

Question 12

Describe the XY stereo mic technique

Answer 12

• two cardioid mics placed so that the capsules are right next to each other - make a 90º angle
• this combines the polar pattern of the two capsules to create a stereo image
• because the mics are basically touching, a good mono compatibility is maintained

Question 13

How should you process a MS recording and why

Answer 13

• at the mixer or DAW, the signal captured on the figure of eight should be duplicated and one of the versions should have its phase inverted
• they should then be hard panned in opposite directions
• if not they will completely cancel out