Knowing how to capture the sounds you want to record and the best way to go about it, is probably best learned by doing. But knowing the basic principles and where to start is invaluable. Here’s a basic overview of a sound engineer’s role in the studio:
When it comes to recording, microphone choice and placement is crucial. There are many useful guides out there, and it’s well worth learning the fundamentals, but don’t forget to experiment and find your own path too. Ultimately, aim to get the sound as close to how you want it when you’re recording and don’t rely on trying to fix things in the mix after.
Although rules are often there to be broken in the musical world, there are many factors it’s worth knowing and sticking to, especially when starting out. For example, the proximity to an amplifier’s speaker cone can drastically change the tone of an electric guitar. In terms of microphone usage, it’s all about choosing the right one for the job.
As well as different types of microphone, i.e. Dynamic, Condenser, Ribbon… there are also variations in the range of frequencies they capture, sensitivity and how they pick up the sounds around them (their polar pattern).
Different instruments and singers require different miking techniques. There are plenty of free resources online, so be sure to do your research and try out as many different options as you can.
For those looking into slightly more advanced aspects, a mic pre-amp can greatly improve sound quality and add a degree of character, warmth and saturation to your sound.
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