May 2nd(6th Lesson) - Posted on 2015-05-05 by Joe Kepich

Todays lesson was on mic placement. I feel like this is the chapter that I learned the most from thus far. I say that because I didnt realize how many different techniques there were when it came to recording. From just a regular spaced pair(any two mics spaced apart), XY, and decca tree. So many ways you can capture the music. Its amazing.  Also, from last chapter to this chapter I now fully understand the difference between a dynamic and condenser mic and I'm confident I could pick the right mic now. To me it really seems like besides the basics( like not using a condenser on a kick drum even though my mentor showed me one that would work) and the ground rules so to speak, mic use and placement appear to be preference. Really shows me that there is very much so an artistic edge to being an engineer.  

After we went over the lesson, my mentor took me through the process on selecting microphones from the mic closet and what it would be like to use mic placement when setting up for a session with a band. We went through setting up the mic stands, plugging in the mics, and making sure the position is the best for capturing the sound. For example we went through each piece of the drum kit and he had me do most of it. Making sure the mics would be out of the drummers way while playing. I learned how to do that by looking on the drum head for the drummers sweet spot aka where the drummer hits the drum most consistently. Also where the best spot is to capture a guitars sound(through an amp). Which is where the mic is angled toward the side of the speaker with one side slightly catching the edge of the dust cap(?) on the speaker. Definitely plenty of basics and ground rules that need to be learned and embedded in my brain, but also a lot of an art form to be evolved when it comes to capturing the sound and making what I hear in my head come to life.