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 Microphones
If there are good acoustics and no other disturbing sound sources, a precise and highly detailed omni mic would be ideal.
The
d:dicate™ 4041-SP Large Diaphragm or
d:dicate™ 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 Microphones
If more isolation is needed, one or two cardioids or wide cardioids is a good solution. Two d:dicate™ cardioid mics can be placed in XY configuration at the sweet spot.
Miniature Omnidirectional Microphones
Miniature omnis like the
d:screet™ IMK4061 Instrument Microphone Kit offer a wide variety of placement possibilities and many live situations could benefit from close-miking with a
d:screet™ Miniature Microphone, especially if the monitor level is not too high.