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9 votes

Why do microphones underperform at distances?

It's not the ear that can differentiate a voice from background, it's the brain. It can use the minute differences in timing that a sound arrives at each ear (known as the Haas or Precedence Effect) ...
Tetsujin's user avatar
  • 8,735
5 votes

Why do microphones underperform at distances?

Let me start by addressing the lack of microphones that can do this. There isn't one. We have specialized highly directional microphones that can pick up very specific points at fairly long ...
AJ Henderson's user avatar
  • 8,202
3 votes
Accepted

Why are studio condenser microphones typically oriented pointing upwards rather than towards the subject's mouth?

In almost all microphone designs, it's quite simply because that's the way the diaphragm faces. A hand-held mic has the diaphragm set at 90° to the body, so you point it at the sound. pic: https://...
Tetsujin's user avatar
  • 8,735
2 votes
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Inexpensive, easily-removable ways of reducing echo in a room (see 360° image)

First of all reverb in an empty room is very long , this changes when some stuff gets it. What u'll need is a standing library with books , a cozy soft couch and some shelves here & there with ...
frcake's user avatar
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2 votes
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Microphone catching only my voice in a noisy room

This pretty much comes down to microphone polar patterns, you can read more about it here: Polar Patterns. Also, condenser microphones are more sensitive than dynamic microphones. You can read more ...
Johannes's user avatar
  • 475
2 votes

Mic'ing character inside full animal costume?

As it will not be seen, you have the freedom to attach it to the actor's head or face, rather than any clothing/costume. You could use a boom version, over the ear & just to the side of the mouth,...
Tetsujin's user avatar
  • 8,735
2 votes
Accepted

Recording acoustic guitar with Dynamic and condeser at same time

Record the two mics as two channels. Then you can decide what you want to do when mixing. As this seems to be very uncommon, there probably is a reason. Only way to know for sure is to test it (takes ...
ghellquist's user avatar
  • 1,839
2 votes

Recording ambient sound while minimizing phase issues

Phasing issues only occur if you are putting two sound waves together and the waves cancel each other out (e.g. summing a stereo recording to mono.) If you are recording stereo then there won’t be any ...
TimK's user avatar
  • 1,090
2 votes

Recording student questions in small class 20-30 people

I think you'll be surprised how ambient that space is if you try to mic it for speech from 6m away. A pair of shotguns facing the audience will be fine for 'reaction' but I doubt it will be good for ...
Tetsujin's user avatar
  • 8,735
2 votes

Are Drop Mics a good option for capturing audience questions in a theater style meeting room?

I think you'll struggle. With only two fixed mics your best speaker will be 8ft from either side of the room, on the front row. Mic maybe 6ft above them so no-one accidentally catches one on the way ...
Tetsujin's user avatar
  • 8,735
1 vote

What are the microphones that they use the Oscars and Grammys?

All or most of the big name awards shows use Schoeps microphones on custom presenter stands. Typically there are two capsules, a cardioid and a hypercardioid. The preamps are remotely mounted at the ...
Juan's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
Accepted

Recording ambient sound while minimizing phase issues

It was only a phase... I remember phase issues after summing to mono was quite a big problem in the past. It's not such a big problem now, as there aren't many mono playback devices left in use. ...
n00dles's user avatar
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1 vote
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Recording tracks on double bass

Mic positioning is part skill, part art.. & also part guesswork. I could tell you that you need the mic approximately 6" above the bow, 2ft in front of the strings & pointing at an ƒ-hole... ...
Tetsujin's user avatar
  • 8,735
1 vote

How Are The Mic Placement Standard Techniques Desided On

This is a bit subjective but I would say that mic placement is a mix of physical laws (how a given instrument or source acoustically radiates, what is it's environment, what is your mic directivity) ...
audionuma's user avatar
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1 vote
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Mics in a field recording array -techie acoustics question

As someone who has recorded a lot of ambience I prefer to adhere to the KISS principle, which I am sure I don't need to explain. Off the bat, I anticipate issues using a directional cardioid in an ...
Mark's user avatar
  • 8,928
1 vote
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Microphone for two presenters while screencasting?

Let's take the elements of your question in order: Background noise - as @tetsujin said, move all noisy equipment out of your recording studio. Ideally, run your noisy PC in another room and just use ...
Rory Alsop's user avatar
  • 6,070
1 vote

rhythm guitar sound on 'only tomorrow' (my bloody valentine) (pedals?amps?guitars?mic placement? etc.)

You have actually chosen an incredibly difficult question to answer as Kevin from mbv has a lot of pedals in use. This is his main board: And he also uses a couple of other boards on stage as well, ...
Rory Alsop's user avatar
  • 6,070
1 vote

Zoom Q2HD for podcast-quality recordings?

I think you could get great quality with your zoom device, and it will all come down to the room. So I think the living room is probably out of the question, but you can try it. To get a professional ...
Scorb's user avatar
  • 674
1 vote

How to record two people side by side?

Shotgun microphones, by definition, are very narrow directional microphones. Placing them on the side will give you a hard time because of that. Microphones should be placed in front of you, since I ...
BadgerBadger's user avatar
1 vote

Inexpensive, easily-removable ways of reducing echo in a room (see 360° image)

OK so the quickest way to achieve a result in this room will be to buy an inexpensive deep pile rug and put it on the floor over the wood. Your most immediate source of first reflections will be the ...
Mark's user avatar
  • 8,928
1 vote

Do you have any suggestions on recording vocals/guitar using 2 mics?

I would buy another MXL V67G so you can have a balanced stereo recording of the guitar (one mic pointing to the bridge and the other one somewhere between the soundhole and the 12th fret). That mic ...
jimijazz's user avatar
  • 223
1 vote

Do you have any suggestions on recording vocals/guitar using 2 mics?

As aeroNotAuto mentions in his comment more information on how you are planning on experimenting (mic placement, recording techniques & equipment, etc) would be helpful. Mic choice boils down to ...
Scott Russell's user avatar
1 vote

How are NBA games miked up?

From what I've seen a large variety of microphones / kinds of gear are at play, especially depending on who is responsible for the event's sound, however specifically for the sounds of the court (not ...
Conner's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote

how to get rid of a loud buzzing noise when I try to record?

I would have such a problem sometimes when my laptop is charging and the charger is connected to a wall outlet without ground. It is not common, but some older houses/power strips/ extension cords do ...
Daniel de Vries's user avatar

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