Deck 8: Microphone Techniques

Question 1

Before you mike an instrument, ___________________.

A) use the technique that worked last time on a similar instrument.
B) listen to it live in the studio.
C) use the mic that most engineers are using.
D) ask the performer if they want to be miked.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

When would you want to record an electric guitar from its guitar amp?

A) When you want to avoid leakage.
B) When you don't have a direct box.
C) When you're recording quiet jazz or R&B.
D) When you want to record the amp's distortion.
E) All of the above.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

If a guitar amp sounds too bright when miked in the center of the speaker cone, what should you do?

A) Mix it with other instruments - it might sound fine when heard in the complete mix.
B) Turn down high-frequency EQ on your mixer.
C) Turn down the treble on the guitar amp.
D) Move the mic closer to the edge of the speaker cone.
E) Any of the above.

Answer 3

E

Question 4

If you want a spacious lead-guitar sound, ____________________.

A) overdub the same part and pan both parts left and right.
B) turn up the low-frequency EQ.
C) use a compressor.
D) turn up the "air" EQ knob.

Question 5

What are some ways to clarify the electric bass sound?

A) Add a touch of reverb.
B) Turn up the bass amp in the studio.
C) Use only the bass pickup.
D) Record direct and boost 700 Hz - 2 kHz.

Question 6

If you hear hum when plugging a keyboard into your mixer, how can you fix the problem?

A) Power your mixer and the instrument from separate circuit breakers.
B) Enable a compressor on the keyboard channel.
C) Power your mixer and the instrument from the same outlet strip.
D) Turn the keyboard way down in the mix.
E) All of the above.

Question 7

What is the first step in getting a good drum sound?

A) Tune and damp the drums.
B) Don't mike the cymbals.
C) Turn up low-frequency EQ for a strong, thumpy sound.
D) Mike every drum and the cymbals.

Question 8

How can you prevent a buzzing snare drum when the bass player plays?

A) Gate the snare drum.
B) Wedge a cotton ball between the snares and the snare drum stand.
C) Don't use a bass amp in the studio; record the bass direct.
D) Tune the snare drum to a different pitch.
E) All of the above.

Question 9

To achieve a "tight" kick drum sound, _____________________.

A) Put a pillow against the beater head.
B) Gate the kick.
C) Cut EQ around 400-600 Hz.
D) Use a hard beater.
E) All of the above.

Question 10

If you are getting a lot of drum leakage into the cymbals mics, how can you reduce it?

A) Use a 500 Hz lowpass filter.
B) Use a 500 Hz highpass filter.
C) Raise the cymbal mics.
D) Put a piece of foam between all the toms and the cymbals.

Question 11

You solo the tom mics and hear a rumbling sound. How can you reduce it?

A) Gate the toms.
B) Mute the tom-tom tracks.
C) Switch in a lowpass filter.
D) Turn down the kick drum.

Question 12

In general, a natural-sounding mic position for the acoustic guitar is _______________.

A) Next to the sound hole.
B) About 1 foot from the 12th fret.
C) About 1 foot from the bridge.
D) Close to the strumming or plucking fingers.

Question 13

How do you minimize phase cancellations with a singing guitarist?

A) Mike close.
B) Aim the vocal mic upward and the guitar mic downward.
C) Slide the guitar track in time to sync with the vocal track.
D) Record the guitar alone, then overdub the vocal.
E) All of the above.

Question 14

What is a natural-sounding mic position for a grand piano?

A) Aiming at the sound board from underneath.
B) At the outer edge.
C) Two mics about a foot over the bass and treble strings.
D) Aiming into a sound hole.

Question 15

What is a natural-sounding mic position for an acoustic bass?

A) One mic a few inches under the bridge, and another near the plucking fingers.
B) Near an f-hole.
C) There is none; use a pickup instead.
D) Near the player's ear.

Question 16

When would you mike a violin 6 to 12 inches away?

A) For classical music.
B) For old-time or bluegrass music.
C) For pizzicato passages.
D) When you need to keep the mic volume low.

Question 17

A popular mic choice for horns is a _____________ mic.

A) condenser
B) dynamic
C) ribbon
D) boundary

Question 18

A natural-sounding mic position for a sax is _______________.

A) 18 inches away and above the bell.
B) aiming into the bell.
C) near the player's ear.
D) just below the bell.

Question 19

A natural-sound mic position for a clarinet is _________________.

A) near the player's ear.
B) a foot away from the side.
C) aiming into the bell.
D) 3 inches from the mouthpiece.

Question 20

A popular studio technique for miking the lead vocal is _________________.

A) Use a handheld mic to simulate a live performance.
B) Use a lavalier mic so the singer can move around
C) Use an SDC 4 inches away with a foam windscreen.
D) use an LCD 8 inches away with a pop filter.

Question 21

To reduce excessive sibilance, use a ____________________.

A) compressor.
B) condenser mic.
C) gate.
D) de-esser.

Question 22

How do you find the correct miking position for each instrument?

A) There is no correct miking position.
B) Follow the suggestions in this book.
C) Watch what the pro's do and emulate them.
D) Ask the musician where they like to place their microphone.
E) All of the above.