Ten Tips for Better Mic Sound

We've compiled these helpful tips from Sweetwater's Tech Tip of the Day database. your Sales Engineer has the training and experience to help you make the best microphone choices. Call 1-800-222-4700 with your questions.

Use Proximity Effect to Fatten Bass and Kick Tracks

Singers often use the proximity effect - the bass build-up that develops close to a cardioid mic - to enhance their sound. Use the same technique with a cardioid mic like the Sennheiser MD 421 to bolster a bass or kick drum track. Use caution with acoustic or electric guitars, though - the low end can turn to mud.

Ribbon Mics Capture Massive Drums, Tame Cymbals

Ribbon mics are often thought of as fragile, but they can withstand extreme SPLs and are great for drums. Take advantage of the figure-8 polar pattern of a mic like the Royer R-121 by placing two as overheads, keeping the cymbals in the null-point of the figure-8 pattern. You'll get massive drum sounds without overpowering cymbals.

Sometimes You Just Need A Great Dynamic Mic

With all the choices available in modern audio, sometimes a solid dynamic mic is still your best choice for audio capture. They're tough and can handle lots of sound, and higher-end dynamics like the Audio-Technica ATM650 or Electro-Voice RE-20 deliver results closer to that of ribbon and condenser mics.

Don't Sabotage a Huge Electric Guitar Sound

Using two mics on a guitar cabinet (such as a Shure SM57 and a Groove Tubes GT50) can produce mind-blowing tone, but if not spaced properly, phase cancellation can ruin your effort. Avoid this by following the 3:1 rule - if the first mic is one foot from the source, the second should be three feet away from the first.

Stop the Bleeding! Maximizing Sound Source Isolation

One key to a clean drum sound is being able to isolate sound sources from each other. This is often difficult to achieve, and bleed can rob your tracks of their clarity and punch. Using hypercardioid or cardioid mics can help, but for additional isolation, add Auralex Aural-Xpanders as gobos on critical mics.

Variable Polar Patterns = Versatile Mic

If you can afford only one good mic, choose one with variable polar patterns such as RODE's NT2-A. That gives you a full arsenal of sound capture tools at your disposal. Capture ambient room sounds with the omni pattern, get a tighter pickup pattern with the cardioid setting, or select figure-8 for mid-side applications. A great value!

Recording Acoustic Guitars: the Two-microphone Solution

To capture both the body and sparkle of an acoustic guitar, use two mics. Place a large-diaphragm condenser microphone (such as an AKG Perception 200) one foot to 18 inches in front of the guitar, pointing at the 12th fret. Position a small-diaphragm (the Shure SM81 works great) over the frets.

Using a Condenser Mic Live: Get Studio-quality Sound Onstage

"Live vocals" used to mean "dynamic mic," but more and more performing artists are turning to handheld condenser mics. They capture every nuance of a vocal performance. Newer condensers (the Neumann KMS 105 and Shure KSM9, to name a couple) provide durability and feedback rejection, along with crystal-clear sound.

Bring it Down a Notch: Attenuators Can Save Your Session

Mics such as the Shure KSM44, with a built-in 15dB pad, tame signal level enough to avoid distortion and get great sounds. But what if your mic doesn't have a pad? An in-line attenuator like the Pro Co Max10, Max20, or Max30, can bring things under control. They're essential items for your toolbox.

USB Mics: Not Just for Podcasting

Even if you have a solid mic collection, the beauty of a USB microphone like the Blue Snowball lies in the convenience of its direct connection to your computer. Since there's no interface to deal with, this laptop-friendly setup is great for on-the-go musicians, engineers working up quick takes and demos, and, of course, podcasters.