Microphones for Ambient Recording Techniques & Sound Reinforcement
Ambient microphone techniques involve recording the performance within the performance space. In this way you get a sense of the acoustic characteristics of the performance space in the recording. Ambient microphone techniques are commonly used when recording orchestral performances due the large number of musicians involved and the desirable acoustic character of the concert venue.
A simple and effective technique for using ambient microphone recording is to place a pair of microphones spaced a short distance apart at a position in which a person might choose to listen to best hear the performance. Think of it as making a stereo recording from ‘the best seat in the house’ and you’ll get the idea.
Each microphone in the pair is panned to give the stereo recording in the recording device. Generally, sensitive condenser microphones with cardioid [frontal pick up] are used for this sort of recording although you can get good results by experimenting with different types of microphones. Sometimes boundary microphones are used to make ambient recordings because they reduce the phase problems that can occur by placing microphones at a distance from the sound source.
Ambient mic techniques can also be used for sound reinforcement. You could for instance hang some overhead microphones above a stage or performance area and then amplify the signal received through a mixer and PA system. This sort of use is often a good alternative to wireless microphone systems when performers need amplification on stage.
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