Lesson 1Preamp gain staging: target peak/average levels, headroom, pad use, and trim strategySet preamp gain for clean, controlled recordings. We discuss target levels, analogue versus digital headroom, pad and trim usage, and methods for dynamic performers and strong playing styles to achieve optimal sound.
Setting target peak and average levelsAnalogue versus digital headroom conceptsWhen and how to use input padsUsing trims and faders without clippingManaging gain for dynamic performersLesson 2Addressing bleed and isolation: gobo placement, cymbal control, bleed-minimising techniquesManage bleed and boost isolation in live tracking. Learn gobo strategies, cymbal control, mic pattern selections, and positioning tips that cut spill while keeping performances natural and lively in the studio.
Planning room layout for minimal bleedGobo placement around drums and ampsCymbal height, angle, and player controlUsing polar patterns to reject spillBalancing isolation with natural ambienceLesson 3Exact drum mic placement guidelines with angles and distances for punch and bleed controlPrecise drum mic placement guidelines for punch and bleed control. We cover angles, distances, height, and aiming methods that form tone, stereo image, and rejection of nearby kit parts for better drum sounds.
Kick mic depth and beater alignmentSnare mic angle for crack and rejectionTom mic height and tilt for clarityOverhead spacing and stereo techniquesPlacing room mics for depth and glueLesson 4Bass placement and blend: DI/preamp gain, amp mic positioning, phase between DI and micCapture bass using DI and amps, set preamp gain, and align phase. Blend sources for clarity, punch, and low-end control that works well on small speakers and big systems, ensuring solid bass in mixes.
Choosing DI boxes for bass tone and noiseSetting DI and amp levels at the sourceMic positions on bass cabinets and portsChecking phase between DI and amp micBlending DI clarity with amp characterLesson 5Guitar placement: distance, off-axis angling, phase alignment between micsPosition mics on guitar cabinets and align multiple mics. Learn distance, off-axis strategies, and phase checks that keep tone sharp and low end firm for excellent guitar recordings in your projects.
Setting starting distances from the grilleOff-axis angles to tame harshnessCombining close and room mics on guitarPhase checks between multiple micsReamping options when placement failsLesson 6Phase and polarity checks: how to test and correct phase across multi-mic setupsDetect and fix phase and polarity issues in multi-mic setups. We cover listening methods, correlation meters, time alignment, and polarity tools to keep punch, imaging, and low-end focus intact in recordings.
Audible signs of phase problemsSolo, flip, and sum-to-mono listening testsUsing phase correlation metersTime-aligning tracks by waveform viewPolarity inversion versus delay shiftsLesson 7Handling plosives, sibilance, and room reflections: pop filters, mic technique, room treatment basicsControl plosives, sibilance, and room reflections in vocal and spoken recordings. We discuss pop filters, mic technique, basic acoustic treatment, and monitoring to spot issues early and maintain clear audio.
Pop filter types and correct placementMic distance and angle for plosive controlManaging sibilance at the sourceIdentifying early reflections by clappingQuick portable treatment solutionsLesson 8Bass capture: DI vs amp mic choices and when to use each, low-frequency considerationsCompare bass DI and amp miking approaches and when to pick each. Learn low-frequency handling, room effects, cabinet choices, and how to record bass that fits well in the mix with strong presence.
When to favour DI for clarity and controlWhen amp miking adds needed characterCabinet selection and room interactionManaging sub-bass and low-mid buildupCombining DI, amp, and sub-mic sourcesLesson 9Drum kit miking overview: kick, snare, rack toms, floor toms, overheads, hi-hat, room micsStructured overview of drum kit miking. We cover roles for kick, snare, tom, overhead, hi-hat, and room mics, and how they combine to create a unified drum sound in your engineering work.
Kick mic roles: attack versus weightSnare top and bottom mic purposesRack and floor tom mic placement basicsOverheads as the kit’s main pictureHi-hat and ride spot mic decisionsRoom mics for size and depthLesson 10Electric guitar capture: mic choices (dynamic, condenser, ribbon), amp close-mic and room-mic techniquesDetails on electric guitar recording with various mic types. Learn close-mic and room-mic techniques, cabinet sweet spots, and blending mics for steady tone across songs in professional setups.
Choosing dynamic, condenser, or ribbon micsFinding speaker sweet spots by earOn-axis versus off-axis close-mikingAdding room mics for space and depthBlending multiple mics without phase issuesLesson 11Vocal capture: microphone choices (large-diaphragm condensers, dynamics, models) and rationaleExplore vocal mic choices and their importance. Compare large-diaphragm condensers, dynamics, and modelling mics, and see how voice type, genre, and room affect the best selection for quality.
Matching mic type to singer and genreLarge-diaphragm condenser traitsDynamic mics for loud or harsh voicesRibbon and modelling mic optionsTesting multiple mics during soundcheckLesson 12Vocal placement details: distance, angle, pop protection, booth vs live roomDetailed vocal placement techniques for steady tone and control. Cover distance, angle, pop protection, and selecting booth or live room to suit genre and performance requirements effectively.
Standard starting distance guidelinesAngling the mic to manage toneUsing pop filters and shields effectivelyBooth versus live room trade-offsMarking positions for repeatable setups
