User Manual

sound is too bright, the tonality can be adjusted by rotating the

microphone a few degrees to the side so that the vocalist is

singing slightly o axis. The further o-axis, the more the high

end will be softened.

When using cardioid or gure-of-eight patterns, the proximity

eect will cause the sound to become more bass-heavy the

closer the microphone is to the mouth. A skilled vocalist can

sometimes exploit the proximity eect to control the voice

timbre while recording but less-experienced vocalists are safest

keeping a xed distance from the mic.

Acoustic Guitar

When setting up to record acoustic guitars, the textbook miking

positions should only be used as a guide. A good starting point

is to aim the mic at where the neck joins the body and then

adjust until you nd the sweet spot that gives the best tonal

balance. As the mic is moved closer to the sound hole, the level

of the low end will increase; move it further along the neck and

the low end will decrease.

Acoustic guitar can be recorded using either large diaphragm

microphones or small diaphragm models depending on what

you have to hand. As with vocals you can try dierent polar

patterns though many users stick with cardioid so as to mini-

mise spill. If you do use gure-of-eight or omni patterns, you’ll

pick up more room ambience so use screens if the sound of the

room isn’t sympathetic to the instrument. A Halo behind the mic

is is ideal for reducing the contribution of room ambience.

Every guitar is dierent and its interaction with the room will

also aect the sound. A hard oor helps maintain a lively tone

so if you have carpet in your recording area, try placing a sheet

of hardboard, ply-wood or MDF on the oor between the instru-

ment and the microphone.

Start with the microphone about 200 to 300mm from the body

of your guitar (aimed at the point where the guitar neck joins

the main body), and listen on good isolating headphones while

moving the body of the guitar in relation to the mic until you

get a sound you like. You’ll probably nd that at some point the

sound just seems to come into focus. Isolating headphones are

crucial so that you hear only what the recording system will hear.

While it is possible to mic the acoustic guitar in stereo or even

Microphones

200-300mm

Spirit

-10dB

0dB

-20 0 -10

Laser Voice Cut dB

Starlight