Publicité
TIPS AND INSTRUCTIONS
GENERAL USES IN CARDIOID MODE
The classic '47-style microphone is known first and foremost as a lead and backing v
ocal microphone. It has been used to capture powerful vocal performances in rock, country,
hip-hop, gospel, blues, metal, voiceover/spoken word, and just about every other genre out
there. Two '47-style microphones for drum overhead recording, either in an X-Y configuration,
or as a spaced pair, is a classic choice.
Likewise, a pair of '47-style microphones in an
X-Y configuration is a great way to achieve a big acoustic guitar sound. A single '47-style
microphone is a good choice for capturing many guitar amps, either alone or in
conjunction with additional dynamic or ribbon microphones. Since the pioneering days of
Joe Meek, 'close mic'ing' a sound source has become the norm in most genres outside of
classical music. This has made near cardioid pattern-only recording a fairly common practice. The
downside to this technique is an exaggerated proximity effect and lack of perceived space to an
instrument, the advantage is much greater isolation and control of individual instruments in a mix. Close
cardioid mic'ing' also tends to capture less reflections and other unwanted information.
USES IN OMNIDIRECTIONAL MODE
Omnidirectional pattern is most often associated with room mic recording, be it a room mic on a
drum kit or an ambience mic placed farther out from a guitar or bass cabinet, or other instrument.
Omnidirectional stereo recording is also sometimes associated with 'live' recording techniques and
classical recording. Additionally, an omnidirectional mic can be one ingredient, along with a figure-of-eight
microphone, in creating a Mid/Side stereo recording array.
It is also worth noting that most
condenser microphone capsules are, by nature, designed to be omnidirectional devices. For this reason,
omnidirectional patterns tends to yield the most linear frequency response and suffer the least from
proximity effect.
USES IN FIGURE-OF-EIGHT MODE
Figure of eight pattern recording is often used with pairs of the same microphone for advanced
recording techniques such as the Blumlein Pair array; but has several more common practical
applications as well, some of which only require a single microphone. One figure-of-eight application is
to record a 'duet' or group vocal with a single microphone. Two or even four vocalists can stand on either
side of the microphone, each getting the full attention of one side of the mic capsule. A variant of the duet
application is when someone plays an instrument, such as acoustic guitar, into one side of the
microphone while a partner sings into the other side.
7
Publicité
