MIC POSITIONING, FILTERS, HEADPHONES ------ BITS AND BOBS------

 
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MIC POSITIONING, FILTERS, HEADPHONES 

------ BITS AND BOBS------

Microphone Positioning

The mounting, positioning, distance from the singer, and even the angle of the mic all weigh heavily on the finished vocal sound. I prefer to use a good shock mount microphone holder and hang it the mic’s capsule end level it around eye level and aimed at the singer’s mouth. 

Check with your singer(s), who will have a definite preference as to the way they like to project sound towards a studio mic. It is better to angle the mic down rather than allow the singer to sing straight into the mic’s capsule.

Different mic positions

Microphone angled down toward the singer

,and directed straight at the singer. 

Windscreens — Pop Filters 

With the mic angled and above the source, you may not need to use a pop filter, but your singer must keep from pointing upwards at the mic. So if the singer can sing straight ahead just below the bottom of the mic without tilting up, then no windscreen is needed.

If the singer cannot keep straight ahead or wants to sing directly into the mic, you’ll have to use a screen. There are several great models on market everything depends on your budget.

Pop filters change the sound slightly. There is a greater or lesser loss of super high frequencies depending on the particular filter. But there is another method to reduce plosives.Although not as effective for big pops, this trick will kill most small pops.Simply strap the pencil vertically in line with the mic body’s length (assuming you are hanging the mic vertically) using rubber bands (don’t use tape) so that the pencil bisects the face of the capsule.The pencil will disturb the puff of air from a P pop and divert the impact from the capsule.

simple pencil trick 

 

Headphones

Best choice is to get closed-back close case earphones that attenuate ambient noise and keep the cue mix from leaking out.Personally in my studio use AKG K271 phones  they are simply brilliant, however every thing is depending on your budget.Try to get your singer to keep both ears covered with the phone cushions to prevent spill. The phones should fit well and make sure a powerful amp drives them.It is good to have headphone amp installed in your booth to give your singer control on output volume.