9
Typical relationship of microphone distance
to frequency response for ribbon-velocity bi-
directional microphone.
Another area where proximity effect can
be turned to an advantage is in making
things sound “more real than real.” For
example, many voices and certain musical instruments produce fundamental frequencies
within the bass range (below 150HZ or so) but the fundamentals are weak. In a worst
case, if a microphone which has no proximity effect and a rising high frequency response
is used on an upright piano, or on a person with a thin, weak voice, the recorded sound is
likely to sound even thinner than it was in real life. In contrast, using a microphone with
strong proximity effect on such sound sources can result in a “better than real” sound
since the boosted bass response will compensate for the weak fundamentals in the sound
source. Since the fundamentals are present, but weak, boosting them by several dB will
sound “natural,” even though the sound has been “sweetened.”
Radio and television announcers have long relied on proximity effect to produce a full,
rich, authoritative quality to their voices. By knowing how to work with the proximity
effect, the engineer can get several useful effects without resorting to electronic
manipulation.
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General Tips for Using Ribbon Microphones
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and ribbon microphones go together very well. Mic the instrument
from a distance of a couple of feet, and increase the working distance a little if several
instruments are being used.
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sound full and never edgy when captured with a ribbon microphone.
Normal working distances are about a foot or two from the instrument.
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sound very sweet and clean with ribbon microphones. Place the microphone
several feet from the instrument. For larger string sections, place the microphone slightly
above the instrumentalists and angled down; a distance of three or four feet will do the
trick nicely.
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sound excellent with ribbon microphones and are free of phase-related comb
filtering. The bass is full and rich while the top remains clean with no clatter. Mic the
