Microphones / Miking

In the second episode David Mellor focuses on gain staging during recording, by balancing mic input, preamps and gain within your DAW to achieve the optimal sound level.

To celebrate AKG’s 75th birthday, we’re shining a light on perhaps their most iconic microphone.

The C414 has...

Extreme close miking can be an aesthetic choice or an uncomfortable necessity. Either way, it’s important to know how to get it right.

The creator of the Blumlein‑Pfanzagl‑Triple mic array describes its development, as well as its use at a recent Salzburg Festival event.

We all know that close miking boosts the low end. But why? New research from DPA Microphones explains that some instruments are more affected by proximity effect than others.

Many classic electric guitar sounds have been captured using just one microphone. So when and why might you use more?

If you’re new to recording, it often pays to keep things simple, and when it comes to guitar cabs that means learning how to get the best sound with only one microphone.

Binaural recordings are an easy and effective way to capture immersive audio.

Choose a mic with the optimum polar pattern for the job, and you’re halfway to capturing a great recording.

Recording an instrument you’ve not encountered before can seem daunting. Here’s a rule of thumb that guarantees a decent result every time.

While experimenting with ‘minimal’ drum‑miking setups during a recent lockdown, the author found them really inspiring and captured some great drum sounds. So is it time you re-evaluated the decisions you make when recording a kit?

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We introduce a little‑known mic configuration that has some unique advantages over more familiar stereo arrays.

Cardioid mics are tremendously popular amongst recording musicians, but can also work against you. In this episode, Mike Senior explains some of the reasons why, and illustrates how omni and figure‑eight patterns can often give more useful results.

M‑S miking is easy to set up, offers plenty of options at mixdown, and has some unique advantages over other stereo arrays. So if you've not yet tried it, why not give it a go?

How do you record a piano and drum kit in a modest live room, at the same time? Our engineer explains his approach...

Take a listen to these audio examples created when recording a piano and drum kit in a modest live room, at the same time.

These audio examples accompany our Upright Piano miking workshop from SOS December 2019.

With a little TLC and the right miking technique, even the most neglected piano can produce great recordings.

Our engineer records a rock trio while trying also to offer sufficient options to create a drum sample library!

Top FOH engineers tell us which stage vocal mics they recommend — and why!