We've all been there. You've got everything set up, you're ready to record, and something just doesn't sound right.
Maybe there's a strange hum in the background, your vocals sound muddy, or your microphone is picking up more of the room than you'd like.
Before blaming your equipment, here are three common recording problems and a few simple ways to fix them.
1. Unwanted Noise and Hum
Computer fans, electrical hum, traffic and vibrations travelling through your microphone stand can all find their way into a recording. These sounds might go unnoticed during a session but become much more obvious when listening back.
How to fix it:
Start by listening through headphones before recording. If you hear a hum or buzz, check that your cables are securely connected and use balanced XLR connections where possible. Avoid running microphone cables alongside power leads, and if they need to cross, try to keep them at a 90-degree angle to minimise interference.
If you're picking up low-frequency rumble from footsteps or vibrations through the microphone stand, try using a shockmount. For vocals, a pop filter can help control plosives, while positioning the microphone away from computer fans and other noisy equipment can reduce unwanted background sound.
Our tip: Record ten seconds of silence before starting. Listen back to check for any unwanted sounds before committing to a full take.
2. Too Much Room Sound
Your recording space has a big influence on what your microphone captures. Sound reflecting off walls, floors and ceilings can make recordings sound hollow, boxy or distant.
How to fix it:
Try recording away from bare walls and corners, where reflections and low-frequency build-up can cause problems. You don't necessarily need expensive acoustic treatment to improve things either. Thick curtains, rugs and other soft furnishings can help reduce reflections, particularly at higher frequencies. If you're using acoustic panels, focus on the areas where sound first reflects off nearby walls.
Your microphone's polar pattern can also work in your favour. A cardioid microphone, such as the STC-20, picks up most of its sound from the front while reducing sound arriving from behind. Try positioning the rear of the microphone towards an unwanted sound source, or moving closer to what you're recording to capture more direct sound and less of the room.
Our tip: Record the same performance in a few different positions around your room and compare the results. A small change of location can make a surprising difference.
3. Poor Microphone Placement
Sometimes the problem isn't your microphone, but where you've positioned it.
Even moving a microphone a few inches can change the tone of a recording. For example, pointing a microphone towards an acoustic guitar's soundhole will often produce a bassier sound than positioning it around the 12th fret.
How to fix it:
Before moving your microphone closer or further away, try changing its angle. For example, when recording an acoustic guitar, angling the microphone slightly away from the soundhole can help reduce excessive bass without changing the recording distance. Small adjustments can make a noticeable difference, so listen back as you experiment.
When recording vocals with a directional microphone, such as our ARIA 2, moving closer can increase the bass response through the proximity effect. This can be useful for adding warmth to a vocal, but getting too close may make the recording sound overly bass-heavy. Experiment with your distance from the microphone to find the right balance.
Our tip: Before reaching for an EQ, spend five minutes adjusting your microphone placement. You might find the sound you're looking for without touching a plugin.
Better Recordings Start with Listening
Getting a better recording doesn't always mean buying more equipment. Often, a few small changes to your room, microphone position or recording setup can make all the difference.
For more recording advice, explore our guides & blogs on microphone techniques, polar patterns and getting the most from your setup.