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: 6 to 12 inches. Pattern: Cardioid, use pop screen or foam
windscreen.
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 6 to 12 inches. Pattern:
Cardioid, use pop screen or foam windscreen. 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 6 to 10 inches
depending on the musician’s stance. Use cardioid or omni polar pattern. For
increased presence use +10dB gain.
Cello, Upright Bass
Position microphone about 12 to 18 inches from and facing one of the “f” holes.
Use cardioid or omni polar pattern. For increased presence use +10dB gain.
Acoustic Guitar
Single micing: Place mic 6 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 6 to 12 inches between the end of the body and
sound hole aiming at the sound hole with the second mic 1 to 2 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 5 to 10 inches from lowest key and slightly to the side to
reduce key noise. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Saxophones
Place the microphone 12 to 30 inches away aiming at the middle of the
instrument. Use cardioid polar pattern.
Trumpet
Place mic 10 to 15 inches in front of the instrument. Rotate microphone slightly
off axis. Use -10dB pad and foam windscreen to increase SPL handling and
reduce blowing noise. 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 4 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 6 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 2 to 8 inches from center of speaker cone. Rotate mic slightly off-
axis. Use -10dB pad and cardioid polar pattern.
Drum Overheads
Place two mics in AB or XY configuration 2 to 6 feet above drummers head.
Use cardioid or omni polar patterns.
Tom Toms
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. Use -10dB pad.
Floor Tom
Place mic 1 to 3 inches away from the top rim and angle mic slightly toward
drum head. Use -10dB pad.
Bass Drum
Place mic 6 to 24 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. Use -10dB pad.
Snare Drum
Place mic 1 to 3 inches away from the top rim and angle mic slightly toward
drum head. Use -10dB pad and cardioid polar pattern.