Studio Engineering, “Come out to play“
This week we setup a recording up a recording session for 1 of our(me, Dan, Rob) song "Come out to Play". The recording technique which I helped setup was top and bottom xy setup for the piano, The top is actually in a photograph.
The microphone type used in the piano setup were condenser with pattern cardioid. This capture pattern was to capture more of the air vibrating about half a meter above the piano strings, they also received reflections from the wood above
Below was 2 dynamic mics in xy, this was to capture more of the base sound of music. The below piano mics were recorded form the mixer with inverted polarization. This was to insure that the additive synthesis of top and bottom waves would not have a negative effect, in which +dB is added with -dB reducing the amplitude, but increasing the amplitude. The microphone setup was also one which needed the polarization inverted given that. The microphone setup was double cardioid, with top and bottom.
The guitar recording setup entailed 2 mics. These were spaced apart, one recording below the brigde of the guitar and the other recording the neck to capture most dynamic range, and also when the strings hit the fretboard.
The target max db level for recording was around 6db, this was to ensure enough volume and also limits the probability of clipping (after tracks being recorded the volume can obviously be balanced in a DAW). Each of the performers had headphone monitors, which was helpful in hearing other band memeber, our singer Dan was in a vocal booth, and hearing the live settings for the track.