Microphone Placement Techniques
In this video, Producer/Engineer Ross Hogarth demonstrates his dual microphone positioning techniques using a Royer ribbon mic and an SM57 on a guitar cabinet. He uses an open speaker to clearly show where to put mics and how to avoid phasing issues. He also explains why he likes these positions.
B-3 – R-122
Piano – SF-12
Electric Guitar – R-121
Engineers: Terry Howard, Al Schmitt (mix)
This extraordinary session was held in Ray Charles’ Los Angeles studio in November 2003. I was privileged to attend and was given permission to take photographs with a small pocket camera. The musicianship was incredible, with most parts of the song being done in one or two takes.
-John Jennings, Royer Labs
B-3: Billy Preston’s Leslie cabinet was miked with two R-122’s, one positioned on the top horn and one on the bottom.
Piano: An SF-12 was positioned inside Ray’s piano alongside a couple of condenser mics. The SF-12 was the main mic used in the final mix.
Electric Guitar: The electric guitar amp was miked with an SM-57 up close and an R-122 further back, blended in the mix.
Grammy winning Engineer/Producer Ross Hogarth and session guitarist extraordinare Tim Pierce joined us to create an 8-part video series featuring an in-depth look at Hogarth’s electric guitar miking techniques. These videos are an excellent opportunity for recording engineers at all levels to learn new methods or brush up on some great guitar miking techniques.
Recording Electric Guitar, with Ross Hogarth and Tim Pierce. Session 1 of 8.
Divided by 13 amplifier into a Marshall 4-12 cabinet.
Introduction to blending a Royer Labs R-121 ribbon microphone with a Shure SM57 dynamic mic on electric guitar.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth & Tim Pierce. Session 2.
Marshall JCM 800 amplifier into a Marshall 4-12 cabinet.
R-121 and SM57 blend vs R-101 & SM57 blend
Two microphone blends are compared; a Royer Labs R-101 ribbon microphone and Shure SM57 dynamic mic, and a Royer R-121 ribbon microphone and Shure SM57 dynamic mic.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth & Tim Pierce. Session 3.
65 Blackface Fender Deluxe
Blending a Royer Labs R-121 ribbon microphone with a Shure SM57 dynamic mic on a combo amp.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth. Session 4.
Microphone Placement Techniques
In this video, Ross demonstrates his dual microphone positioning techniques on a guitar cabinet, then uses an open speaker to clearly show where to put mics and why he likes these positions.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth & Tim Pierce. Session 5.
Supro combo with 15-inch speaker.
Another example of blending a Royer Labs R-121 ribbon microphone and a Shure SM57 dynamic mic, this time on a beautiful Supro combo amp with a 15-inch speaker. Very nice, warm vibrato on this amp.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth & Tim Pierce. Session 6.
Diezel head into a Marshall 4-12 cabinet.
In this video with Tim playing drop-tuned guitar, we compare an R-121 & 57 blend and an R-101 & 57 blend on a cranked up Diezel head through a 4-12 Marshall cabinet.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth & Tim Pierce. Session 7.
Magnatone Stereo Combo Amp
Ross uses the R-121 & 57 blend on a great old Magnatone stereo combo amp, with an SF-24 stereo ribbon microphone centered 1-ft back from the amp to capture excellent stereo guitar tones.
Recording Electric Guitar with Ross Hogarth & Tim Pierce. Session 8.
Supro combo with 6-inch speaker.
This video of an R-121 ribbon microphone on a Supro combo amp shows the amazing tone and size you can get from properly miking a small amplifier.
Electric Guitar, Jazz – R-121
Recorded and mixed by Al Schmitt. Producer, Tommy LiPuma.
Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, NY.
From the GRP Records Inc. “Verve” release “Diana Krall – When I Look In Your Eyes”.
Note: Al Schmitt won a Best Engineered Album Grammy for this record.
R-121 on jazz electric guitar.
a) “Popsicle Toes” (Michael Franks)
b) “Let’s Fall In Love” (Ted Koehler)