Lesson 1Lead and support voices: picking between large-membrane fixed (NT1-A, TLM 102) and moving (SM7B, SM58) and exact distances, pop screen use, and angle to cut plosivesCompare large-membrane fixed and moving mics for lead and support voices. Learn best working distances, angles, and pop screen use to cut plosives and sharp s's while handling room tone, near effect, and singer moves.
Picking fixed versus moving micsSetting voice distance and mic heightUsing pop screens and wind guardsAngling the mic to cut plosivesHandling near effect and movementLesson 2Solid mic pick reasoning: matching mic pickup shape and sound response to instrument traits and room limitsBuild a step-by-step way to choose mics by linking pickup shape, sound response, and quick action to each source and room. Learn to explain picks tech and musically for repeatable, sure results.
Checking source quicks and sound spreadMatching pickup shape to settingUsing sound curves to guess toneBalancing alone vs room soundNoting and explaining mic picksLesson 3Snare placing and top/bottom micing: distance, angle, and phase flip reason for balanced snare toneLook at snare top and bottom mic roles, best distances, and angles for hit and body. Learn how to handle hi-hat spill, set bottom mic phase, and blend both signals for a controlled, punchy snare in various music styles.
Top mic distance and angle for hitBottom mic place for snare wiresPhase flip and phase checksControlling hi-hat spill into snare micBlending top and bottom for final toneLesson 4Electric guitar amp mic ways: close-micing with SM57/e609, 3–6 inch places, slight side-axis position, and room mic use when possibleStudy electric guitar amp micing with close moving mics and optional room mics. Learn 3–6 inch places, straight-axis vs side-axis angles, cone sweet spots, phase with multi-mic setups, and fitting tone for thick blends.
Finding the speaker cone sweet spotStraight-axis versus side-axis positionSetting 3–6 inch mic distancesAdding and placing a room micPhase checks with multiple guitar micsLesson 5Drum kit close-micing: suggested mics per part (kick: AKG D112 or Shure Beta 52A; snare: SM57; toms: moving mics) and exact place distances/anglesDetail close-micing picks for each drum part, including kick, snare, and toms. Learn suggested mics, distances, and angles to catch hit and body while controlling spill, phase, and steadiness across the kit.
Kick in and kick out mic positionsSnare close mic angle and distanceTom mic pick and mounting optionsPhase checks between close micsBalancing close mics with overheadsLesson 6Pickup shape and sound response picks: how heart-shaped, super-heart, and figure-8 shapes affect spill and blockGrasp how heart-shaped, super-heart, and figure-8 shapes form pickup, spill, and room tone. Learn to read pickup plots and sound graphs, and match shape and response to source, stage loud, and alone needs.
Heart-shaped versus super-heart actionFigure-8 uses for block and toneReading mic pickup shape chartsInterpreting sound response curvesShape pick for live versus studio useLesson 7Overheads and stereo ways: XY, ORTF, spaced pair pros/cons, height above kit, and balancing cymbals vs kit clearnessLook into overhead roles in setting drum picture, comparing XY, ORTF, and spaced pairs. Learn how spacing, angle, and height affect stereo width, phase, cymbal control, and balance between cymbals and kit clearness.
XY vs ORTF vs spaced pair comparisonSetting overhead height above the kitManaging cymbal level versus drum bodyPhase match in stereo overheadsMatching overheads with the snare centreLesson 8Bass DI vs amp micing: using DI + mic (SM57 or ribbon) ways, blending DI and mic, and low-sound handlingCompare bass DI and amp micing, learning when to favour each. Look into combining DI clearness with mic character, handling phase, low-sound pile-up, and noise while shaping hit, hold, and blend shift on small speakers.
Clean DI catch and level setupPicking and placing amp micsPhase match between DI and micControlling low-end pile-up and rumbleBlending DI clearness with amp characterLesson 9Tom placing and damping thoughts: mic distance, angle, avoiding floor tom rattleLearn how tom mic distance and angle shape tone, hit, and spill. Check damping picks, head types, and tuning. Handle floor tom rattle, matching ring, and alone from kick, snare, and cymbals in thick drum setups.
Picking mic distance from tom headsAngling mics to control cymbal spillDamping options and tone give-and-takeReducing floor tom rattle and buzzHandling tom ring in the blendLesson 10Kick drum ways: inside vs outside mic place, beater vs shell position, phase match and use of port micCheck kick drum mic positions inside and outside the shell, focusing on beater click versus low-end weight. Learn port place, phase match between multiple mics, and how to fit ways to style and drum tuning.
Inside kick place for hitOutside kick place for low endPort hole micing plansMatching phase between kick micsFitting place to style needs
