Sound Engineer how-to
How to Set Up Microphones for a Vocal Recording
Good capture makes mixing easier.
Quick answer
Good capture makes mixing easier. In short: choose; position; set, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Choose the right microphone.
Position it at the right distance with a pop filter.
Set gain without clipping.
Treat the room for reflections.
Do a test recording.
Adjust and record.
Safety reminders for sound engineers
- Protect your hearing with limits and earplugs
- Use cable management to prevent trips
- Lift speakers safely
- Follow electrical safety
Key terms
DAW · Signal flow · Gain staging · EQ · Compression · Reverb: see the full sound engineer glossary.