Experienced vocalists instinctively locate the proper working distances
for the microphones they are using. From as early as the 1930s,
Frank Sinatra always kept one hand on the microphone stand while
singing. Some joked that he simply was steadying himself, but more
knowledgeable people noticed that he would bring the mic closer for
more intimate moments, and then move it farther away when he belted
out a line. This technique became known as “working the mic.” A
simple technique for maintaining the proper working distance from the
microphone is to place a pop-screen between the performer and the
microphone. By doing this, nothing need be said to the performers, as
they naturally will work at the distance you have established.
Your N22 was designed to exhibit significantly less proximity bass boost
than other figure-of-8 ribbon microphones, so that it has a balanced
sound at relatively small distances to the sound source. You will find
that the N22 works particularly well at similar distances as you would
choose for condenser microphones rather than at distances that would
be appropriate for traditional ribbon microphones.
Application Examples
Your ears are obviously the best judge of microphone choice and
placement, but AEA has garnered a great deal of experience testing
the N22 in a variety of recording settings and by talking to experienced
musicians and engineers. As a result we suggest the following
guidelines to help you achieve optimal results when using the N22.
Watch the videos on our website (www.ribbonmics.com, www.
aeasessions.com) and on our YouTube channel
(www.youtube.com/AEAribbonmics) for more tips and tricks for our
microphones and preamps.
Vocals
Thanks to the improved pop-protection of the N22 you can use
the microphone at close distances just like you would choose for a
condenser microphone. If you should encounter problems with plosives,
it is advised to use a pop-filter.
The microphone has a vertical sweet spot that sits in the middle
between the top and bottom edges of the black cloth covered grill
basket. When positioning the microphone, choose an appropriate
stand or boom setup to accommodate for the height of the vocal talent
in order to achieve the best sound. Every singer will move a bit while
performing, but since the sweet spot is located in both the horizontal
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