Proximity effect
The increase in low-frequency response that a directional microphone exhibits as it is moved closer to the sound source.
Proximity effect is a property of directional designs, so a cardioid microphone placed close to a speaker will sound much bassier than the same microphone placed a metre away. Engineers exploit it deliberately for a thick guitar tone and fight it for a thin one, either by moving the microphone back or by engaging a low-frequency roll-off. Because it only appears at close range, it is one of the main reasons a microphone's position matters more than its model.
Example: A microphone moved close to a guitar speaker sounding suddenly boomy is exhibiting proximity effect.
See also
Related
- PageMicrophone
- PageAmp mic placement
- PageCardioid
- PageAudio interface
- PageAux send
- PageBalanced signal
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley