What is the ideal microphone position for vocal coaching?

1 Why microphone position matters

Microphone position is crucial for vocal coaching because it affects how your voice and your client's voice are recorded and transmitted. The microphone position can influence the volume, tone, balance, and quality of the sound. If the microphone is too close, too far, too high, or too low, it can cause problems such as distortion, feedback, noise, sibilance, plosives, or phase issues. These problems can make it harder for you and your client to hear each other clearly, communicate effectively, and assess the vocal performance.

2 How to choose the right microphone

Before you decide on the microphone position, you need to choose the right microphone for your vocal coaching needs. There are different types of microphones, such as dynamic, condenser, ribbon, or USB, and each one has its own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. For vocal coaching, you want a microphone that can capture the full range and nuances of the human voice, without adding too much coloration or distortion. You also want a microphone that can reject unwanted sounds from the environment, such as background noise, room reflections, or other sources. A cardioid or hypercardioid polar pattern is usually preferred for vocal coaching, as it picks up sound from the front and sides of the microphone, while rejecting sound from the rear.

3 How to set up the audio interface

The audio interface is the device that connects your microphone to your computer or sound system. It converts the analog signal from the microphone into a digital signal that can be processed and transmitted. The audio interface also provides power to the microphone, if it requires phantom power, and allows you to adjust the gain, volume, and other settings. For vocal coaching, you want an audio interface that can deliver a clean, clear, and low-latency signal, without introducing noise, clipping, or distortion. You also want an audio interface that has enough inputs and outputs for your microphone and your headphones or speakers.

4 How to position the microphone horizontally

The horizontal position of the microphone refers to how far or close it is to your mouth or your client's mouth. The horizontal position affects the volume and the tone of the voice, as well as the amount of ambient noise and room reflections that are picked up by the microphone. Generally, you want to position the microphone about 6 to 12 inches away from the mouth, depending on the type and sensitivity of the microphone, and the loudness and dynamics of the voice. If the microphone is too close, it can cause distortion, feedback, or proximity effect, which is a boost in the low frequencies that can make the voice sound boomy or muddy. If the microphone is too far, it can cause a loss of volume, clarity, or presence, and pick up more unwanted sounds from the surroundings.

5 How to position the microphone vertically

The vertical position of the microphone refers to how high or low it is in relation to your mouth or your client's mouth. The vertical position affects the balance and the quality of the voice, as well as the amount of sibilance and plosives that are produced by the microphone. Sibilance is the hissing sound that occurs when pronouncing consonants such as S, Z, or SH, and plosives are the popping sound that occurs when pronouncing consonants such as P, B, or T. Generally, you want to position the microphone slightly above or below the mouth, and slightly off-axis, meaning not pointing directly at the mouth. This way, you can avoid the direct blast of air that can cause sibilance and plosives, and capture a more natural and balanced sound of the voice.

6 How to test and adjust the microphone position

The best way to find the ideal microphone position for vocal coaching is to test and adjust it until you are satisfied with the sound. You can use a simple method such as recording yourself or your client speaking or singing, and listening back to the recording. You can also use a more advanced method such as using a software or an app that can analyze the frequency spectrum, the waveform, or the level of the sound. You can then compare the sound with your expectations, preferences, or standards, and make any necessary changes to the microphone position. You can also ask for feedback from your client, or from another vocal coach, to get a different perspective on the sound.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?