Learn about proper mic techniques in this Sonic Electronix video featuring Gary Boss from Audio Technica. He discusses some right and wrong ways to use microphones and how to get the best audio from them.

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Hi, I'm Gary Boss, the National Marketing Director for Audio Technica and im here at Sonic Electronix talking about the top 9 mic mistakes.

1.Too many mics for the job. Never use 2 when 1 will do.

Counter intuitive from a mic manufacturer but all kinds of phase problems can occur when you use too many mics. I know two mics should make it sound bigger, but it usually does the exact opposite. Now once you are familiar with mics, placement, phase etc it is alwas fun to play with multiple mics for tonal options, but this is a good rule of thumb.

2.Choosing the wrong mic or monitor placement in a live situation and blaming the mic.

Keep in mind the polar pattern of you mic and where the monitors should be placed. As hypercardioid mics become more popular in live sound many people set up monitors without even knowing the pattern of the mic they are using.

This is also a problem in drum micing where hi hat mics may be pointed down at the hat and inadvertently pointed right into the drummers monitor.

3.Looping the mic cable through the amp handle and hanging the mic infront of the speaker. You have just made the mic much less efficient (remember it is supposed to reject sounds from the sides) and compromised the frequency response. Different frequencies roll off differently off axis. Buy a short Mic Stand!

4.A personal peeve of mine as a drummer is having the sound guy use old stretched out or miss matched mic clips.

I cant tell you how many times I have had to try and jam a snare mic or hiHat mic back in a clip because it has slipped out of the clip and is currently bouncing around on my snare or buzzing on my hat. And while you are at it go and give every mic stand an extra check to make certain they are tight...

5.Improper mic storage.

Yes, mics are more durable than ever before, but please don't just throw them in a work box or milk crate. Thank You.

6. Not cleaning vocal mics

The headcases on all modern mics can be unscrewed and cleaned. I suggest a toothbrush and Listerine...make certain to dry. Don't use a mouthwash that has sugar or tastes sweet. If there is an inner foam windscreen in the ball, remove that wash with soap and warer and let dry. Thanks again.

7. Not knowing what the instrument is supposed to sound like.

Go on the stage or in the tracking room and have the artist play for a while to get a feel for the overall sound of the instrument unmiked. This will give you a headstart on mic placement and ultimately mixing.

8. Mic Placement --Use your ears.

Don't just guess and set mics up and then start mixing or recording get you head in close to the acoustic guitar and listen for the sweet spot...same on amps and drums...just have the player be conscientious and not play too loud.

Remember small mic placement movements can really change the sound dramatically. If it doesn't sound right move it before you reach for eq or processing.

9. Cupping the Mic ball

Uggg...Vocalists, really, I know it looks cool and everyone is doing it, but you are killing your sound and making it really tough on your sound guy!

By doing this you have just single handedly erased months and months of engineering. You are simultaneously changing the polar pattern on the mic by not allowing audio to reach the back of the diaphragm cause feedback, but degrading the fidelity of the mic which can make you unintelligible and difficult to hear!

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