4 Ways To Get More Out Of Your Microphones - TheRecordingRevolution.com

[@ToxicxEternity]

Just wanted to come out of lurking and say your videos are SO helpful. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@lukekent9687]

I don't know why people click dislike on videos like this. Pure facts of mic technique. No personal views on what one should do with the mics.

[@drum877]

I have been engineering for 18 years and I am still learning. Very interesting topic. You have a great channel!

[@MonacoMonet]

I just happened across this video and I must say,... It's really nice to find that there is somebody out there that not only knows what the hell they're talkin' about but also that you really are aware of the fine art of recording sound that no-one else seems to even care about,... placement and proximity of the mic,... room ambience and all the other fine nuances of recording sound!! Thank you for a FINE video loaded with important and often overlooked strategies,.... I'm odd to check out your other vids,... and look for that e-book you mention,... Thanks again! You got a new fan!

[@the80386]

Hey Graham, buddy just wanna thank you again. You have been such a big inspiration and teacher over the past few years. There is a request for you: Sometime in this recording month do give us a tour of your current setup and maybe your current go-to workflow if possible because I know it changes all the time as we gain more experience. Maybe that will give us some new ideas, things to learn and above all, a new breathe of inspiration. I see you have got a whole bunch of changes and hardware upgrades. (I am a sucker for setup tours btw :P)

[@StephenTack]

Good tips! A little expansion on Tip#3 (aiming the back of the cardioid microphone to avoid unwanted sounds): With cheap ribbon mics, and multipattern condensers becoming more available, it is useful to note that you can use the sides of a Bidirectional/Figure-8 pattern microphone to even greater effect than the back of a cardioid mic. The side "nulls" of figure-8 will reject a shocking amount of unwanted sound/bleed. I have even used this property for recording acoustic guitar and vocal simultaneously. Vocal figure-8 mic, front pointed toward the singer's mouth, and edge pointed at guitar. Listen with headphones while the guitar is strummed, turing mic until you hear the least guitar, repeat the process for figure-8 mic on guitar, so it's getting a good guitar sound, and rejecting as much vocal as possible. I've gotten 30+dB of separation; enough to EQ/compress the vocal and guitar separately with no ill effect.

[@Hovinell]

Put the back of your microphone facing your girlfriend

[@Hexspa]

+Hovinell ha - or toward her?

[@vincentvandenbos5328]

Hovinell hahahaa

[@thevews92]

good idea

[@takethroughthtop13]

100th like!

[@officialWWM]

OneFortune first like of your comment.

[@chesterjetton1077]

Boys and girls, mic placement is the single most important aspect of studio engineering. As Graham states, mics, with proper placement, are self EQing. Living on a budget? Take your trusty SM57 and move it around. Try corner loading. Your Squire and Mustang amp can sound like a million bucks. Spend an evening just listening. Find those yummy spots. Moving the mic around and changing the recorded frequencies will give the impression of a second guitarist with different equipment when adding more parts to your recording.. Cool, huh? Your band mates will be impressed. It's just a natural side effect of being cool and knowledgeable.

[@randiestrouse2967]

I just started college last month for digital media (with a focus on audio). Due to credits I got while in high school I was able to skip the first audio class and go right to the intermediate level... and flipping through the curriculum I've found that I already know pretty much everything that is going to be taught in the class. Thank you Graham for making my audio class into a boring couple hours of review! :)

[@101AOK]

I have found that you can impress upon a greenhorn (newbie) how to think like a mic regardless of the pattern is, by plugging ONE EAR when you listen to an amp or instrument and you will for the first time understand WHY a mic doesn't produce what you hear is because YOU are listening in stereo. Get in the habbit of one ear listening whilst setting up your session and you will save a ton of time, for you will be hearing a much less clear sound! It will be distant sounding AND you will hear the room sound much clearer.You will experience room coefficients like you never heard before. Try it. You (your student) will have a much kinder understanding of a MICs limits and challenges. Just sayin...

[@jaketaz2848]

very interesting idea, I will try it

[@tasweet28]

This is actually very interesting. Everything did sound much different, and I found it DID sound similar to what my mic heard. I moved my head different angles like he mentioned in the video (while plugging one ear) and heard things differently than I had before, as if I was hearing what a cardioid would pick up.

[@jaketaz2848]

ok so does this mean that I should try to make it sound as good as possible with just one ear? then when I mix to stereo later will everything be better?

[@tasweet28]

It means find the best position by moving your head in all directions to just see what you hear and what you want to microphone to pick up depending on the situation, instrument, and sound reflections of the room. Then put the microphone in that position and do a test to see if you like it. When you are happy, you are ready to record.

[@101AOK]

tasweet28 Exactly

[@audiotaxiproductions8087]

Im a student at SAE in Bangkok on Audio Engineering,I found your video usefull as well,cause its always good to look around on the net,so to you people out there,this guy know what he is talking about.Thanks for your tutorials ;-----) Greetings from Jram (Norway)

[@MrAlFuture]

Thanks, Graham. It's so refreshing to go back to basics to remind us what's actually important. I often feel like your videos are akin to a walk through the forest or through the mountains - they dial down the noise of life (e.g. gear lust in audioland) and cut to what's important. Thanks!

[@dangraphic]

Very insightful, especially the part about using the cardioid's natural sound rejection in the back, as noise cancellation.

[@fonqstarr3636]

very good info .worth thousands at a recording class

[@rockyrichards2]

Awesome, keep listening. Almost turned it off because of his non stop rambling, sometimes seemingly insulting style. This guy is really bright, funny(dark), has a deep understanding of "recording" and is able to relay it simply so you can actually use it. I think that he's the kind of guy that would tell his wife she's fat and not understand why she's mad.

[@themalt-toneschannel]

"It's called turn the microphone" That's friggin awesome dude!

[@Zarinah]

Thanks for all the great tips Graham! Especially the one about the back of the microphone, I'm definitely gonna start facing it towards my door. Much thanks!

[@SeanDavidOfficial]

Thanks Graham! Massively helpful as usual. Will keep tuning in to this series and good luck with the album. You can sign me up for a copy!

[@otherthings7571]

The mic placement tip at around 6:00 was great. most people don't have silent pc fans so this helps a bunch.

[@zachbowden1993]

Love the Blue Spark. pick it over a Neumann U87 almost every time when i'm recording

[@FigureInDots]

I know what you mean - Iam driving my Ford everyday to work. While my Porche and Ferrari stays in the garage.

[@DanielJerrehian]

FigureInDots HAHAHAHAH

[@realitycheck1092]

Wtf

[@ChuckLarish]

This was like listen to a recording of me teaching my Intro to Audio classes about polar patterns and mics being "stupid." Seriously, like holding up a mirror! Thanks for the morning weird out! ;)

[@MrSteppp]

Oh gosh! Man, thank you so much for your book! It really saves years of time, when you already giving ideas that you thought through carefully through your experience. With no bs about expensive gear "that will make you a pro musician". You are very smart, and when I make thousands dollars on my music I will donate some to ur music fund for releasing the musician out of me by saving so much time. I just wish I got this book years ago when I just started. Good luck on ur way, bro! Ur best,

[@simenandreas]

A thing I have learned is that if your source is pretty quite, making you to gain your preamp up, the sound gets so much closer and intimate. Trying to set a guitaramp pretty low instead if puching it very hard is something to really try out! Gives a much fuller in your face sound! :)

[@hansndjaba8005]

Dude, i don't normal subscribe to channels, but you honestly deserve it. I admire your consistency 👍

[@iamclarity]

Graham, the funny thing about these techniques is, although I've known most of them, I find it quite challenging to keep the mic placements in tact without the recording artists moving around to the front of the mic. It's weird because it almost never fails; if I do mic placements, the artists simply (and seemingly unknowingly) find a way to void out my placement. What I usually do is use the plosive/pop shield (or "spit guard") to try designating a roundabout, desired distance, and to almost hide the mic placement from the performer. Somehow, though, they usually start acting squirmy as if they don't know what to do if they can't see the mic. lol, it's both hilarious and sometimes troubling.

[@dkutuber7595]

that whistle at 10:06 though, :)

[@rootvalue]

Graham, may I suggest moving your spot lights a bit further from your face or using a bounce card? The hard light, to me, seems a little unflattering and makes your face look a little washed. Just my two sense. :)

[@MarkRobinsonDrums]

Great stuff. Finding the best drum kit sound is so hard - going to try this stuff ASAP!

[@hunbun101]

Wow. That back of the microphone tip is great. Never thought of that

[@friedjellybeans8820]

You just earned yourself a sub, son. Seriously though this is helping so much with my recording. I'm able to eliminate so much hiss that I couldn't before.

[@alexanderewing3779]

Graham Cochrane! Generous, helpful, insightful. All round good guy! Cheers Alex

[@jerryk3280]

Nice video, and by the way blue mics totally rock!

[@cerilkingsly6936]

Your videos are so helpful 💯❤ All the tips are lit🔥 Especially that "back of the microphone tip" is wow💯🔥 which made me to comment (Mostly I won't comment in KZbin) Thank you pal :) Keep doing many valuable stuffs 🤞🏻

[@BernieLandrystick]

Thanks for the Monday brain buffer... You do a great job with the video tips and your consistent output. Haven't really played around using the back of the mic... (Since the plugins save some time.when perfection must be set aside when you need THAT moment recorded). This video has been good inspiration for me at THIS moment in time... Keep your videos coming Graham, very much enjoyed ... B-)

[@nanu1980]

You're great and what you're doing is great! It also gives me confidence to go forward wit my recording and mixing because watchung your tips I realized that I already knew most of the stuff or figured it out myself. Can I ask you what band you are in and what you sing or play?

[@jcarden7319]

Good shit Graham, I've been producing and recording for a long time and always wondered how to take advantage of the full scope of my mics, but somehow the back never occurred to me.. learn something new everyday 🌠

[@michaelgastineau7605]

this was actually incredibly helpful! In your opinion what is your favorite vocal mic for recording?

[@Myth8Anthropology]

Good tips, great articulation & sentence structure. Thanks Graham. I love that thousands of people who previously would never have been able to record their music now can thanks to technology and people like you laying out the principles of how to use the technology. Like most things its not rocket science, just a lot of details that affect your sound one way or another.

[@rawstarmusic]

Must agree on the "Thanks for the effort you put into this." The back of the mic tip seems to cause response here. I use off axis on close vocals to avoid airflow's. It will be interesting when it comes to EQ cause many people are chocked how bad they think it sounds the first time they sing into a large diaphragm mic without EQ that pick up all the low end

[@Glenuig]

I know its maybe not your area of expertise, but any chance you could do a video recommending some video equipment and video editing software? All these tips for setting up home recording equipment are great , but I am struggling to find guides for mixing audio I record of me singing and playing guitar with a video I make at the same time. I have a basic HD webcam that I have used so far (£90 dollar webcam) but need some advice what equipment I could use/upgrade to for recording me playing in the studio. Thanks again.

[@usherthestudent]

Thanks Graham, you are so practical. Keep up the good work.

[@louh9211]

As always, thanks for the great tips. Especially the back of the mic. That's a new thought for me.

[@overwatchzach]

We're rocking the same studio monitors! Very good video, lots of good points. Subscribed.

[@glenben92]

+Zach MacLachlan Me too, Presonus kicks ass. Love Studio One as well.

[@m1ndsetstudio]

Seriously your a legend All your videos are so helpful !

[@roanmccormick6115]

Thanks for these valuable tips bro

[@SpookyLuvCookie]

I've just found your channel. Thanks so much for this stuff - very watchable and informative.

[@FeidlimidAthol]

Good advice. I've been experimenting and it really does add subtle frequency changes. Thank you Corey haim!

[@vanessaromell7288]

Love your tutorials man! Helps me a lot with my music :)

[@MusafirMusicIndia]

tommorow going for the recording session... need all urs blessings....\m/

[@sframalho]

I'm having a ball watching your videos! Thank you very much!

[@terran236]

awesome video and tips. Very helpful. Never thought about facing the back of the mic towards noise. Genius! lol. My parents walk in closet is super quiet thanks to all the clothing. lol perfect place to record. Liked and subbed!

[@nasanction]

Great explanation of microphone usage. ;)

[@ericv.giroux5691]

You are a wonderful teacher

[@defonotmario]

Great video for people just starting out

[@jahnharald]

Thank you for good tips! In this video: NT1-A Studio Secrets you can hear the effect of different angles and distances from your source.

[@JamieClark]

I wish I got the blue spark when it was $99 back in the holidays :-(

[@DanMarcelino]

was that light hurting your eyes??? =/ great vid tho!! =]

[@Hemerash]

Too much computer screen watching...

[@DanMarcelino]

hahah totally!! i get that a lot…..!! =P

[@kernjames]

They used to just say a Mic was Uni-directional or Omni-directional. Whatever happened to that? And I guess Graham's videos are several years old. I wonder whatever happened to him. He is really great at doing these videos.

[@Chasingmusiclife]

Thanks Graham... great tips!

[@stoofystoof]

great vid. You should illustrate your speach by recording few samples, what do u think ? Anyway, thanks for all your tips.

[@4thmetricmusic]

Very helpful video. So simple and SO important. Thank you for sharing

[@michael55j]

Great video Graham, very helpful

[@bentyreman5769]

I like off axis with an sm57 on a guitar amp, at about 45 degrees, never straight on, it never fails me

[@kgmatari]

Thank you so much for all these tips! They really help me learn how to record. You're seriously so helpful with all of this. I look forward to your new EP :)

[@koDiacc]

graham what do you think about a mic absorber? for home recording it would be better than a self-made booth right?

[@Hemerash]

Hey Graham, drop the striped jumper it's making weird visual effects. Great vid anyway, maybe a bit too long, but in the end we sure remember the main tips...

Great tips man, can't wait and looking FW for upcoming month.

[@garyshirinian]

How do you like the mic you were hiding. Comparison to rode nt1 . Akg C214 .

[@ceejay9934]

Wow, great thngs 2 thnk abt. Thnks, i'm looking 4ward 2 my nxt recording...when ur music coming out?

[@EmilyAsen]

Refreshing tips, man... thank you!

[@RetroTechnoid]

I have a question; do you absolutely need a pop filter or could you work without it?

[@jdc2126]

You have great tutorials! Keep it up!

[@ap0th1k4ry]

Thank you for the awesome work that you do and the effort you put into your videos!

[@CYDIGGIT]

Hey Graham, Love the channel. Now, don't laugh when I say this but, I own an Electro Voice RE20 and RE27 N/D. Now let me turn you on to a little mic that you should look at. Ready? Remember don't laugh. NADY SP-4C $15.00 including shipping on Ebay. I recorded the same poem on Adobe Audition using the RE20 and the SP-4C and looked at the noise of both mics and they are almost identical. I then played them side by side and it was hard to hear a difference. I then conditioned the recording through noise reduction, voice normalization and then mastering. Still no difference. I started asking myself why I havehundreds in mics when I could have spent $100.00 on a dozen of the nady mics. PS~ the room I was recording in was NOT treated, has tile floors, my computer is less than a foot away, and the room has metal file cabinets and a metal work out station. No bouncing sound. I have another mic that pics up my refrigerator fan from 40 feet away and two rooms away. Check out the Nady.

[@neoray10]

i would be using the tips u shared with my dynamic mic, i hope it ll sound good. Thanks

[@JoeJoulsJuliano]

Hey Graham, Whats up? What mic do you use for your recording most?

[@TheNeighboursSon]

hey Graham. what angle do you use for recording lead vocals?

[@alexanderpressler5364]

du thank you for your videos - helped me a lot with my own production

[@larrytate1657]

If I have two overheads, am I better off using them both as overheads or is it ok to use one for my hi hats cause I like the sound of the hats mic'd. I'm going to get another mic just for the hihat in a few months but until then which way should I go?

[@drrobotnikmeanbeanma]

would cotton inside of egg crates make the mic more clearer, and i want to know how to mount a mic on my handle bars of my bike like a booth ?

[@AVPROJECT1]

Are you using F&v r300 ring light? Anyway great tips ;)

[@WillFabingMuzik]

These are some great tips, thanks for sharing!

[@flamindigo]

nicely done; but, nothing new ( to me ). I still appreciate your insights on almost all topics, and I have learned a LOT from your tutorials.

[@mrfu294]

you look blasted!!!

[@emetamuna]

Bro but do you realise your the best on YT?

[@rileyreid1030]

2:50 haha love it

[@mkreple]

Hahahaha Nice! ... "it's called, tuuuurn the microohone..."

[@FarFromHome11813]

gram you always have amazing tips!!! thanx bro keep it up!!!

[@kennethevstrand]

Great :) Looking forward to upcoming tips!

[@JunkSoap]

Hi Graham ! May I ask you how you "choose" your microphones ? I mean, as a singer, I've always been told "go and try some"... My question may be dumb, but how can you try a microphone on your own... It's impossible to sing and listen in details at the same time. Sax players play facing a wall, really close, nearly touching the wall to try instruments... Do you have any good tips for anyone who has to try microphones alone in a shop ?

[@numanuma20]

Pick Four mics, record a 1min part and listen back.

[@JunkSoap]

Well you know here in France I don't see any shop setting up a recording session for you to choose a mic... They would just have it plugged into a mixer&PA and give you half an hour to make your decision... :(

[@rasmusCow]

Buy a few mics ex. online, try them out and send every mic back except for the best one.

[@vincentvandenbos5328]

I love these tips man!

[@erickdelgadillo3101]

God bless you! your tips and advices have been really helpful! Thank You!

[@MickaelSalmonMusic]

Thanks you so much! Your videos are very helpful, I subscribed!

[@medianare]

ENGINEERS/RECORDING ARTIST: is it better to upgrade the audio Interface or Mic Pre Amp for better Vocal Sound Quality.. Any thoughts? .. Thanks.

[@MattReillyProductions]

There are benefits for both. Upgrading your interface will bring better D/A Converters, better preamps and possibly DSP processing. Purchasing a standalone preamp will ensure an incredibly high end unit, much higher than the quality on any interface. When getting a better vocal sound quality, it also comes down to the microphone, and most importantly, the vocalist!

[@felony077]

I have that same mic, i was wondering if recording on mono or stereo made a big difference when doing rap vocals, which one is best ?

[@dazedconfuzed6]

For vocals no matter the genre, mono always while recording.

[@TitiJackys]

thats call: "turn your microphone" xD thank you very much ! But it will be more easy with French Subtitle for the French (so, me). But we can understand the essential i think. I LOVE YOUR CHANEL

[@aparkrecording4106]

Hey Graham, thanks a lot! Great Video!

[@tonybrother5394]

From italy grazie mille per gli ottimi consigli! Continua ad aiutarci cosi che è perfetto!

[@rdru2ner82]

Thanks this was very helpful, love your post!

[@coreymelanson2906]

Is I even moved a drumkit (7 pc,with like 12 cymbals) after setting it up,n mic'ed...I noticed it wasnt parallel to the back wall,ran off about a foot every 3 feet,so ride cymbal ,and bells were loud and defined,being 3 ft off back wall,but the hats,and splashes and other bells n whistles werent,I switched O.H.mics,patterns,all wondering whats going on.errr. The hats (stage right O.H.) were almost twice the distance to back wall. Once parallel to wall,it all sounded like I was behind the kit,even snare sounded fuller. Just drummer wanted more room on the right to add floor tom next to hats,but thought of it in middle of setting up,so continued a sharp angle out from back wall. Eh,didnt blame him,and frankly the enormous kit kinda"masked" how crooked it was. Small room drum tracking definitely aint easy (yup,I said aint) but the real thing is,its just amazing how many lil things can react to micing, this vidio tells alot,and THANK YOU GRAHAM FOR ALL UR EFFORT,all is vital knowledge!! It takes years n years to learn ins n outs of this awesomeness,just hope ppl give it the time,and be pateint. Sorry so long...overcaffinated as usual.

[@ActuallyGoose]

Hey, I've got a Rode nt usb mic that i'm using to try and record acoustic guitar and vocals, yet i'm not getting the quality from it that i've seen from many demo's of the same mic, I'm pretty sure my settings and distance from the mic is right, but i just can't help but feel like it should be better. Are there any tips for the actual recording part of it, such as what is best to record on, or what levels i should have etc. Or maybe it's my area i'm recording in...