Guidelines for miking the ukulele.
As is the case with all acoustic instruments, recording a ukulele is always a compromise between getting the full timbre of the instrument and isolation from other instruments or unwanted reverberation.
Omnidirectional Ukulele Microphones
If there are good acoustics and no other disturbing sound sources, a precise and highly detailed omni mic would be ideal.
The
4041-SP Large Diaphragm or
4006A Omnidirectional Microphone will ensure that you do not lose any vital information. Try aiming an omni at the sweetspot: this position will give you a good blend of strings and fingers.
Cardioid Ukulele Microphones
If more isolation is needed, one or two cardioids or wide cardioids is a good solution. Two cardioid mics can be placed in XY configuration at the sweet spot.
Miniature Omnidirectional Microphones for Ukulele
Miniature omnis like the
IMK4061 Instrument Microphone Kit offer a wide variety of placement possibilities and many live situations could benefit from close-miking with a
DPA Miniature Microphone, especially if the monitor level is not too high.