Live Music Production
- Adem Kerimofski
Introduction
As an audio operator, you will be likely required to set up microphones for a panel or interview using radio microphones which is a relatively straightforward process. A more complex aspect of your role may be to ‘mic up’ and record a live music performance. This may involve a guitar/ vocalist, a group of singers or even a full band. The aim is to ensure all instruments are covered aurally, allowing for a clear professional mix. This includes individual drums of a drum kit, amplifiers, electric and acoustic guitars and vocals (singing). Electric-Acoustic guitars, keyboards and bass guitar which are generally recorded with a DI or Direct-Injection box which feeds a line directly to the mixer in the Control Room.
The microphone kit for live music production is available from the MCASI Store. It includes all the microphones you will need as well as 2 of the aforementioned DI boxes, cables and clips. Microphone stands of different sizes are also available.
Ask the producer of your project for technical specifications which will assist in determining exactly what equipment is required for the production. The MCASI Store can then assist you in accessing this equipment.
This guide will illustrate a full band production but you may only need to reference specific sections depending on the nature of the performance.
Drums
It is general practice to mic up all the drums on the drum kit and provide two overhead or room microphones to capture the sound of cymbals and an overall sound of the drums. The microphones on the drums are set up close to the drum (without risk of being hit!) to create a clear focused sound, brought into the mix as required. Below is a standard drum set up with microphones numbered and explained.
Part of the drum kit | Suggested microphone | Technique | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Bass Drum | Shure Beta 52A
| Using a short or desk microphone stand, position the grill part of the microphone just inside the hole of the bass drum. If the drum has no hole, place it about 3 centimetres from the front drum head (or skin) just off the centre axis. |
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2. Snare Drum | Shure Beta 56A
| Using a shorter stand, position the microphone at the edge of the drum, a few centimetres off the metal ring and ensure it is pointed directly at the drum head at a 45 degree angle. |
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3. Tom 1 | Shure SM57
| Position the microphone at the edge of the drum, a few centimetres off the metal ring and ensure it is pointed directly at the drum head at a 45 degree angle. |
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4. Tom 2 | Shure SM57 Same as Tom 1 | Same as Tom 1 |
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5. Floor Tom | Shure SM58
| Position the microphone at the edge of the drum, about 10 centimetres off the metal ring and ensure it is pointed directly down, towards the drum head. |
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6. and 7. Overhead Left and Overhead Right | Shure PG81
| This technique reinforces the impact of the snare but also captures the sizzle of the cymbals and hi-hat. The left microphone should be positioned 1m-1.5m directly above the rim of the Floor Tom and pointed toward the centre of the head. The right microphone should be positioned 1m-1.5m directly above the rim of the Snare and pointed toward the centre of the head. Ensure 48V phantom power is activated on the mixer when using these microphones. |
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Electric, Acoustic Bass Guitars and Keyboards
In a full band production, guitars will generally be either electric or acoustic-electric. Electric guitars are usually played through an amplifier while acoustic-electric guitars are plugged into the DI box and fed directly to the mixer. Solo performances may feature an acoustic guitar without electronic capabilities (commonly called a pick-up). In this situation, a microphone is used.
Bass Guitars, whilst utilising an amplifier, are still usually plugged into a DI. If you are setting up a large band and all the DI boxes are being used, you may mic up the bass amplifier or check to see if the bass amplifier has it’s own DI output.
Keyboards and synthesizers are generally plugged into a DI or the player may have an amplifier that requires miking or has a DI output. The MCASI Store has a powered speaker available that is very useful in the latter case.
Instrument | Suggested microphone or Direct Injection (DI Box) | Technique | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
Electric Guitar | Shure SM57 | Locate the speaker behind the amplifier’s front grille or mesh. Using a short or desk microphone stand, position the microphone a few centimetres off the mesh slightly off the speaker’s centre axis. If the amplifier has more than one speaker, you still only need to mic up one of them. |
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Acoustic - Electric Guitar | DI Box
| Plug the guitar into the INPUT socket on the DI. Connect an XLR Cable to the OUTPUT. Do not adjust any other setting unless instructed to do so by academic or technical staff. Ensure 48V phantom power is activated on the mixer when using these DI units. |
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Bass Guitar | Either of the above | Either of the above methods | Either of the above |
Keyboards/ Synthesizer | Either of the above | Either of the above methods | Either of the above |
Acoustic Guitar | Shure PG81 | Position the microphone about 20 centimetres from the guitar and point it directly at the 14th fret (where the neck and body of the guitar meet).
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Vocals
It is general practice to give each vocalist their own microphone. In the case of a large group or Choir, vocalists can be grouped or miked from overhead, similar to a drum kit.
Instrument | Suggested microphone | Technique | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
Solo Vocalist | Shure SM58
| Microphone technique is very much personal preference though it is recommended that the vocalist is in relatively close proximity to the microphone grille. You may need to fit a foam wind shield to the microphone if plosives (Bs and Ps) or sibilants (Ss and Ts) are prominent. Ask the MCASI Store if you require assistance with this. |
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Group or Choir | Shure PG81 (for small and large groups) and Shure SM58 (for sound reinforcement with large groups and choirs)
| Refer to the diagrams (right) when setting up for small and large groups. | Small Group
Large Group or Choir
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Further information and links
If you require further information on the above or your production differs to what has been covered, please contact the MCASI Store.
See the following links for connections, routing and basic mixing operations.
Setup of Audio Mixer on TV Studio floor for 'Live' audio.