Recording live performances requires both experience and a keen ear. Engineers spend years perfecting microphone techniques to capture the best possible sound. The key to a successful live recording lies in proper mic placement and selection. Below, we’ll explore best practices to help you achieve high-quality recordings.
Mic Placement: The Foundation of Great Live Recording
Mic placement is the most critical factor in determining the quality of a live recording—aside from the performance itself. Because every acoustical space is different, experimenting with placement is crucial. Always record test tracks before committing to a final setup.
Positioning for Large Ensembles
For capturing an ensemble, place microphones where they can pick up the entire group without being too close. A commonly used setup involves a stereo pair positioned 5 feet above and 5 feet behind the conductor’s location.
Using a tall microphone stand (15+ feet) helps isolate the mic from floor-level noise while better capturing the natural projection of acoustic instruments. If stands aren’t practical, hanging microphones is an alternative, though it requires careful planning to manage cables efficiently.
Choosing the Right Mic Technique
For the master stereo pair, engineers often use:
- Mid/Side Pairing (cardioid + bi-directional)
- Coincident Cardioids
- Near-Coincident Cardioids
These configurations prioritize direct sound over reverberation, ensuring a clear stereo image. If additional ambience is needed, spaced omnidirectional microphones can be placed throughout the performance space, such as high in the balconies. This setup allows for blending natural reverberation with the main stereo pair.
In situations where the acoustic space lacks desirable reverberation, artificial reverb in post-production can be a workaround, though it is a compromise.
Close Mic Placement for Individual Instruments
When recording solo instruments, closer mic placement results in a more direct, intimate sound. However, mics that are too close can create frequency imbalances or “hot spots.” For example, an acoustic guitar mic’d too close to the body may sound overly “tubby” because the instrument radiates sound from its entire length, not just the body.
Mic Selection: Finding the Right Tool for the Job
Today’s market offers an extensive selection of microphones suited for both live and studio recording. Each mic has unique characteristics, much like musical instruments, and choosing the right one is a matter of personal preference and experimentation.
Condenser Microphones: High Sensitivity and Detail
Most live recordings rely on condenser microphones due to their high sensitivity and detailed sound capture. These mics require phantom power (typically 48V), which is supplied by mixers or preamplifiers. Sound Devices mixers and recorders, for example, provide high-performance low-distortion, high-bandwidth mic preamps that support nearly all professional condenser microphones.
Condenser microphones come in various physical designs, including:
- Probe-style and side-address mics (common for instrument and vocal recording)
- Shotgun mics (ideal for isolating sound sources)
- Lavalier and headworn mics (often used in stage productions)
For 24-bit recording, low self-noise condensers are recommended. Self-noise can become noticeable when capturing quiet passages or highly dynamic performances. However, ultra-quiet microphones tend to be more expensive.
Dynamic Microphones: Rugged and Reliable
Dynamic microphones are a cost-effective and durable choice, often used for live sound reinforcement. Since they lack built-in amplifier circuitry, they have lower sensitivity than condenser mics and do not require phantom power. Older dynamic mics, while still excellent, may require higher preamplifier gain due to their lower output levels.
Ribbon Microphones: A Subset of Dynamics
Ribbon microphones are known for their warm, natural sound but typically have even lower sensitivity than standard dynamics. They may require additional amplification if used for distant sources.
Final Takeaway: Placement Matters More Than Price
Even a modest microphone, when well-placed, will yield better recordings than an expensive microphone used improperly. Experimentation and thoughtful mic positioning are far more important than cost when capturing a live performance.
source: https://www.sounddevices.com/live-recording-microphone-tips/