ABSTRACT
The distance at which a mic’s low frequency proximity effect boost becomes apparent varies significantly between different mic models, even between those of similar pick-up patterns. It certainly varies between mics with different pick-up patterns, the more directional the mic, the more pronounced the proximity effect. A directional microphone used close is like a zoom lens on a camera. It focuses in on the sound coming from just a small area of the much larger sound source. The closer a mic is to a sound source, the greater the ratio of direct to reflected sound – the sound will be more dry, dead, in-your-face, and up-front. Floor reflections are not long swishy reverb tails, they are power and energy, indistinguishable from the dry sound. They can add life and excitement to a sound, and people are used to hearing them as part of a natural listening experience.
