Cardioid and hypercardioid microphones experience a low frequency build up the closer the mic is placed to the source. This is known as Proximity Effect. As a result, a mic that's placed within a couple of inches from the source, like on a guitar amp or a snare drum, and seem to have a lot more low-end, than if it were replaced a foot or more away. Sometimes the proximity effect can be useful for adding fullness to the source, but it can also make the frequency response seem out of balance if it's not taken into account. I'm going to show you some examples of proximity effect, so you know it when you hear it the next time you record. Here is how proximity effect works.
Take a listen to the sound and note the low-frequency response. (music playing) Now, take a listen when we move the mic in, so it's only about a foot way. (music playing) As you can hear, not only it did the sound get louder, but there is more low-end as well.
Now you can hear an extreme case of proximity effect. Placing a mic this close to the source is usually never a good idea, because you can't hear the proper balance of the instrument. (music playing) Now, let's hear what happens with an omni-directional mic.
(music playing) Take note of both the volume level, and the low frequency response.
(music playing) When we move the omni mic in close, there is no proximity effect. So, the sound stays even and balanced. (music playing) As you can hear the level got louder, but the low-end stayed relatively the same, because an omni-directional mic does not exhibit the proximity effect.
Remember that the proximity effect is the increase of low-end as a Directional mic is moved closer to the audio source. This can cause the sound to seem either fuller or out of frequency balance. If that occurs just move the mic back a little until the desired frequency response is achieved.
Author
Released
10/24/2012- Optimizing your listening environment
- Listening to how different microphone types affect recording
- Choosing the right microphone for the right recording application
- Positioning microphones for a wide variety of recording scenarios
- Utilizing proper gain staging, preamps, and direct boxes
- Avoiding phase cancellation
- Using a compressor, equalizer, and high-pass filter during recording
- Setting up a headphone mix
- Adding the right amount of compression or equalization
- Capturing great sounds from drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, pianos, strings, and vocals
- Creating a great drum set sound
- Getting the best out of any singer
- Dealing with microphone leakage
- Utilizing a variety of stereo miking techniques
- Setting up and producing a recording session
- Creating a rough mix in any digital audio workstation (DAW)
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
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Introduction
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Welcome2m 7s
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Using the exercise files1m 29s
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1. Monitoring
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Setting up your monitors4m 17s
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2. Microphone Basics
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Exploring direct boxes1m 9s
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3. Recording Basics
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Choosing a preamp1m 35s
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Setting up the mic preamp1m 39s
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Setting the record level2m 29s
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Using proper gain staging1m 46s
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Avoiding latency3m 51s
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4. Microphone Placement Basics
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Choosing the right mic2m 24s
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The secret to mic placement2m 12s
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Checking polarity3m 9s
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5. Recording the Drums
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Tuning the drums2m 19s
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Tuning tips and tricks2m 26s
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Using a subkick microphone1m 31s
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Adding a bottom snare mic1m 45s
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Miking the hi-hat2m 14s
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Miking the toms2m 24s
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Miking the cymbals3m 14s
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Miking the overall kit1m 25s
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Using room mics2m 2s
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Getting the drum sound2m 47s
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Checking the drum phase2m 18s
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Panning the drums2m 25s
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Tracking a solo drum part1m 10s
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6. Recording the Guitar
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Tracking the guitar part1m 11s
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7. Recording the Bass
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Miking the bass amplifier2m 13s
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Tracking the bass part1m 11s
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8. Recording Vocals
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Recording a scratch vocal1m 24s
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Doubling the vocal2m 52s
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9. Recording the Acoustic Piano
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Recording the piano part1m 13s
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10. Recording Horns
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11. Recording Acoustic String Instruments
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Recording a dobro1m 36s
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Recording the dobro part1m 13s
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Recording the string section1m 13s
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12. Recording Percussion
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Recording drum percussion1m 19s
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Recording hand percussion1m 17s
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13. Recording Electric Instruments
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Recording electric keyboards1m 58s
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Recording the synth part1m 14s
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14. Recording in Stereo
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Using the X/Y configuration3m 21s
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Using the ORTF configuration2m 27s
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Using a stereo mic1m 46s
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15. The Recording Session
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Setting up a talkback mic1m 27s
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Setting up the headphone mix2m 31s
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Setting up a click track2m 11s
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Setting up for overdubs2m 17s
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16. Setting Up a Rough Mix
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Setting up the effects3m 47s
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The rough mix of Simply Falling35m 35s
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Conclusion
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Goodbye1m 2s
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Video: Exploring how the proximity effect works