Placement and Techniques
Below are general tips for microphone placement; the recording environment plays a significant role in the success of any
technique. We suggest experimenting extensively.
Lead/Solo Vocals
Distance from source: 4 to 12 inches. Pattern: Cardioid, use pop screen or foam windscreen.
Dual Vocals
Distance from source: 4 to 12 inches. Pattern: Figure-8. Rotate microphone in shock mount so that the front and
back are facing to the left and right of microphone stand. One vocalist should sing into back and other into front.
Always use a pop screen for each vocalist.
Choirs
Two mics in stereo and one spot mic for each soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections, or one set of spaced mics in
stereo.
Backing Vocals
Individual micing: Distance from source should be 4 to 12 inches. Pattern: cardioid, use pop screen. Group micing:
use cardioid or omni and place vocalists in semi-circle in front of microphone.
Violin & Viola
Position the microphone to the “f” holes from a height of 4 to 24 inches depending on the musician’s stance. Use
cardioid or omni polar pattern.
Cello, Upright Bass
Position microphone about 10 to 18 inches from and facing one of the “f” holes. Use cardioid or omni polar
pattern.
Acoustic Guitar
Single micing: Place mic 4 to 12 inches from the guitar between the sound hole and where the neck meets the
body. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Stereo micing: Place one mic 4 to 12 inches between the end of the body and sound hole aiming at the sound
hole with the second mic 1 to 3 feet from the bridge. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Flute
Single micing: Place mic to one side of flutist and align mic with flutist’s mouth. Use cardioid or omni polar pattern.
Stereo micing: Place mic to one side of flutist and align mic with flutist’s mouth. Place a second mic aiming at the
side of the instrument. Use cardioid or omni polar pattern.
Clarinet
Place one microphone 4 to 10 inches from lowest key and slightly to the side to reduce key noise. Use cardioid
polar pattern.
Saxophones
Place the microphone 10 to 30 inches away aiming at the middle of the instrument. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Trumpet
Place mic 8 to 15 inches in front of the instrument. Rotate microphone slightly off axis. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Grand Piano
Technique 1: Place an XY, MS, or ORTF pair at the middle of the strings from a height of 3 to 8 feet.
Technique 2: Place two mics 6 to 18 inches above the strings. One mic should be placed above treble strings and
another above the bass strings.
Upright Piano
Open lid and place two mics 4 to 18 inches above the strings. One mic should be placed above treble strings and
another above the bass strings. For increased or decreased hammer character place mics closer or further away.
Electric Guitar or Bass
Position mic 1 to 8 inches from center of speaker cone. Rotate mic slightly off-axis. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Drum Overheads
Place two mics in AB or XY configuration 1.5 to 6 feet above drummers head. Use cardioid or omni polar patterns.
Tom Toms
In cardioid polar pattern, use one mic for each tom or two toms. Align mic 1 to 3 inches away from the top rim and
angle mic slightly toward drum head.
Floor Tom
In cardioid polar pattern, place mic 1 to 3 inches away from the top rim and angle mic slightly toward drum head.
Bass Drum
In cardioid polar pattern, place mic 12 to 36 inches from front of bass drum aiming directly at it or the cut-out hole
if it has one. Remove front head if you feel necessary.
Snare Drum
In cardioid polar pattern, place mic 1 to 3 inches away from the top rim and angle mic slightly toward drum head.
Use cardioid polar pattern.
