Positioning Monitors Behind Studio Mics: A Guide

Microphone and monitor placement is a critical aspect of studio recording, and getting it right can be the difference between crystal clear audio and a tinny, muddy, or distorted sound. The proximity of the microphone to the mouth is key: too close and the sound will be boomy and muddy; too far away and it will be thin and tinny. The ideal distance for a dynamic mic is 5-15cm from the mouth, while a condenser microphone can be placed further away, typically 10-20cm. The direction of the microphone is also important, with most mics designed to capture sound from the direction they are aimed at, so pointing the mic away from the sound source can help reduce unwanted noise. Additionally, using a microphone with a vocal range opposite to that of the vocalist can add life and realism to the recording.

Use a microphone to add life and realism to your recording

When it comes to recording, whether it's music or speech, using a microphone can add life and realism to your final product. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Firstly, consider the placement of your microphone. If you're looking to add a sense of realism, try using a microphone or two for a stereo image. Place the microphones in front of your monitors and back them off a bit to capture the room acoustics. This will give your recording a sense of air and realistic imperfection, along with the coloration of your mic and preamp. Play around with the distance and positioning of the microphones to find the sweet spot that captures the sound you're after.

Another technique to add life to your recording is to blend the microphone input with the original track. You can do this by moving the recorded track by a few milliseconds or samples to ensure a good phase relationship between the two tracks. This can create an interesting dynamic and make your recording sound more three-dimensional.

Additionally, experiment with different types of microphones to find complementary tones that match the characteristics of the sound source. For example, if you're recording a vocalist with a very mid-range, nasal, or bass-heavy voice, try using a microphone that is the opposite of that. This same principle can be applied to instruments or pre-recorded tracks. Use a dynamic mic like an SM7 or a ribbon mic for harsh-sounding parts, or opt for a brighter-sounding mic if the part is dull.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your microphone choices. Using a very colored or nonlinear microphone can drastically change the frequency spectrum of a track, giving it a unique character. Vintage dynamics microphones, for instance, can add a touch of old-school charm to your recordings.

Lastly, play around with the recording environment. Try placing your monitor speaker in a reverberant space like a bathroom, a large living room, or a stairwell. Alternatively, you can keep your monitors in place and put your microphone outside the mixing room, leaving the door open to capture a different acoustic perspective.

By following these tips and experimenting with microphone placement, selection, and techniques, you can add life and realism to your recordings, taking them to the next level.

Use a mixer to plug in your mic and monitors

To plug in your mic and monitors using a mixer, follow these steps:

First, turn down the master volume and channel faders on your mixer. The master volume control is usually labelled "Main Mix" and is found on the bottom right side of the mixer. The faders control the volumes of individual inputs and are typically knobs or sliders. Turning these down prevents loud feedback and protects the mixer and speakers from damage.

Next, plug your microphone into a channel on the mixer using an XLR cable. XLR cables have 3 pins inside a metal cylinder and are used to connect microphones. The mixer will have XLR ports along the top edge or on the back. Plug one end of the cable into your microphone, and the other into one of the mixer's ports, which will have 3 small holes inside a circle. The number above the port indicates the input channel, which is a column on the mixer with knobs controlling that input.

Now, connect your monitors by locating the master output ports on the mixer, usually near the top or on the side. Use TRS cables to connect the mixer output to an audio interface. TRS cables are balanced audio sources, reducing feedback and noise from inputs. Plug one cable into the "L" port and another into the "R" port, then run the cables to your audio interface and plug them into the matching input ports.

At this point, you can also plug headphones into the "Phones" port on the mixer for clearer audio level monitoring. Most mixers use 6.35 mm headphone jacks, so you may need an adapter if your headphones use a different connection.

Finally, turn on your mixer using the power switch, usually located on the back or top right of the mixer. Ensure all volume and fader controls are still turned down before powering on.

Once your mixer is set up, you can adjust the sound levels, change the treble, mid, and bass levels, and use the gain knobs to fine-tune the volume of specific channels.

Optimal microphone placement for streaming

Microphone placement is critical to achieving rich and clear sound without unwanted background noise. The ideal placement will depend on the type of microphone and the acoustics of the room. Here are some general guidelines for optimal microphone placement when streaming:

The Proximity Effect

The proximity effect refers to the increase in bass frequency response as the microphone gets closer to the sound source. In the context of streaming, this usually means the distance between the microphone and the streamer's mouth. If the mic is too far away, your voice will sound thin and tinny, while placing it too close can result in a boomy and muddy sound. The ideal distance for most microphones is between 5-15 cm (2-6 inches) from the mouth, with more sensitive condenser microphones placed slightly further away, typically 10-20 cm (4-8 inches). However, this distance can vary depending on factors such as the streamer's natural voice and expressiveness during the stream. It's recommended to experiment with different distances to find the optimal placement for your setup.

Gain and Background Noise

The distance between the microphone and the sound source also affects the volume of the recorded audio. Placing the microphone closer to the mouth will result in a louder recording. If the microphone is too far away, you may need to increase the gain, which can amplify unwanted background noise such as air conditioners or reflections from hard surfaces. To minimise background noise, ensure that the microphone is positioned correctly and that the gain is set appropriately.

Plosives and Bumps

Plosives are sharp puffs of air produced by certain sounds (like the 'p' in 'plosive') that can cause a brief burst of loud sound when they hit the microphone capsule. To reduce the impact of plosives, consider using a pop shield or a pop filter, which dissipates the energy of these puffs of air before they reach the microphone. Additionally, angling the microphone slightly to the side can help reduce the direct impact of plosive sounds.

Another consideration is the isolation of the microphone from bumps and vibrations, such as those caused by keyboard typing or desk movements. Using a professional studio arm or a tripod can help reduce the transmission of these vibrations to the microphone, improving the audio quality.

Visual Aesthetic

The placement of the microphone should also consider the visual composition of the stream. While it's important to have the microphone close enough to capture clear audio, you may not want it to obstruct your face or be too prominent in the frame. A studio arm can be useful in this regard, allowing you to position the microphone just outside or at the edge of the shot while still maintaining optimal audio quality.

By following these guidelines and experimenting with your setup, you can achieve crystal-clear audio with a rich, broadcast-quality tone for your streams.

Use a pop shield to reduce the impact of plosives

Using a pop shield is an effective way to reduce plosives, which are caused by a pressure wave coming from the mouth when pronouncing certain letters, such as 'p' and 'b'. This pressure wave is essentially a low-frequency signal, but its quick impact translates it into a high-frequency component as well. When the air blast from pronouncing these letters hits the microphone diaphragm, it produces a very large asymmetrical output signal, resulting in loud popping and banging noises.

A pop shield, also known as a pop screen or pop filter, is placed a couple of inches in front of the microphone to break up the air blast. The puff of air hits the mesh of the pop shield, causing it to become turbulent and lose its coherence. This randomises the direction in which the air molecules are pushing, significantly reducing the impact of plosives. Some pop shield designs feature two layers of mesh to tame even the worst plosives.

While pop shields are essential for most studio productions, they are less commonly used in live performances. This is because many vocal microphones used for live performances have built-in pop filters, which are hidden inside the grille. For example, the Shure SM58, a popular choice for live vocals, features an effective built-in spherical wind and pop filter.

It is worth noting that pop shields can cause a slight dulling of the sound at high frequencies, particularly those made from nylon mesh. As an alternative, a slightly more widely spaced mesh made from woven or perforated metal can be used, as the larger holes have less impact on high frequencies while still converting blasts of air into harmless turbulence.

Use a dynamic microphone to reduce feedback

Microphone feedback is a type of audio feedback that occurs when a microphone and a speaker recirculate sound multiple times, boosting a specific range of frequencies. This happens because no microphone or speaker is completely flat in actual operation. Microphone feedback results in a high-pitched ringing sound that can be painful and damaging to equipment.

Dynamic microphones have coloured frequency responses and do not cover the full range of audible frequencies. This makes them less prone to microphone feedback. Here are some ways to reduce microphone feedback when using a dynamic microphone:

• Do not position the microphone in front of a loudspeaker.
• Point directional microphones away from monitors.
• Turn down the microphone gain and volume.
• Do not cup the microphone.
• Ring out the mic/room with an equalizer.
• High-pass filter the microphone signal.
• Position microphones close to their intended sound sources.
• Isolate the microphone from the floor.
• Find the maximum gain-before-feedback and stay shy of it.
• Use in-ear monitors instead of loudspeaker/foldback monitors.
• Reduce the number of open microphones.
• Acoustically treat the room.

Additionally, you can try blending the original track with the recorded track. Try moving the recorded track around in milliseconds or samples to ensure a good phase relationship between the tracks.

Frequently asked questions