Mic technique question
Mon, 07/11/2011 - 15:22
Hi David, got a question about mic technique: I'm trying to figure out when to open the cup when playing amplified. I hear (or think I hear!) players opening the cup to accent certain notes - I'm pretty sure that Dennis Gruenling does this a lot for very subtle and deliberate effect. It seems like it's used on cuts, for example. I've been messing around with it, but it's pretty random and often turns out as an unintentional wah. I wondered if there are places where you'd typically choose to open the cup.
You pretty much have it right. I like to open my cup when I want the passage I'm playing to be heard better. Even though less of the sound is going into the mic, the result is a sound that is less bassy/muted, and thus cuts better. I also use it for tonal color... no particular place... just when it feels right to add change. I would watch YouTube with this in mind over the next couple of months. Paul de Lay was great at that as well.