Microphone Techniques, General Rules for Use

Microphone Techniques

APPLICATION	SUGGESTED MICROPHONE PLACEMENT	TONE QUALITY
Vocals	Lips less than 15 cm (6 in.) away or touching the	Robust sound, emphasized
	windscreen, on axis to microphone.	bass, maximum isolation from
		other sources.
	15 to 60 cm (6 in. to 2 ft.) away from mouth, just	Natural sound, reduced bass.
	above nose height.
	20 to 60 cm (8 in. to 2 ft.) away from mouth,	Natural sound, reduced bass
	slightly off to one side.	and minimal “s” sounds.
	90 cm to 1.8 m (3 to 6 ft.) away.	Thinner, distant sound; notice-
		able levels of ambient noise.
Guitar & Bass	2.5 cm (1 in.) from speaker, on-axis with center of	Sharp attack; emphasized
Amplifiers	speaker cone.	bass.
	2.5 cm (1 in.) from speaker, at edge of speaker	Sharp attack; higher frequency
	cone.	sound.
	15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in.) away from speaker and	Medium attack; full, balanced
	on-axis with speaker cone.	sound.
	60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft.) back from speaker, on-axis	Softer attack; reduced bass.
	with speaker cone.

•Aim the microphone toward the desired sound source (such as the talker, singer, or instrument) and away from unwanted sources.

•Place the microphone as close as practical to the desired sound source.

•Work close to the microphone for extra bass response.

•Use only one microphone to pick up a single sound source.

•Use the fewest number of microphones as practical.

•Keep the distance between microphones at least three times the distance from each microphone to its source.

•Place microphones as far as possible from reflective surfaces.

•Add a windscreen when using the microphone outdoors.

•Avoid excessive handling to minimize pickup of mechanical noise and vibration.

•Do not cover any part of the microphone grille with your hand, as this will adversely affect microphone performance.