The Art of One Mic Recording

Finding the Perfect Balance with the Josephson C700S

At Sound Liaison, we are known for our commitment to high-resolution, natural-sounding recordings that capture the essence of a live performance. One of the techniques that sets us apart is our use of One Mic Recording, especially with the incredibly sensitive and detailed Josephson C700S microphone. This method strips recording back to its most honest form, one mic, one space, one take.

In this blog, we’ll explore how we approach One Mic Recording in Studio 2, focusing on the most crucial elements: microphone placement, musician positioning, room acoustics and performance balance.

Why Use One Mic Recording?

Before diving into the technical details, it's worth revisiting why we love the One Mic approach. A single microphone means no phase issues, no post-mix manipulation, and a direct path between the musicians and the listener. It delivers a sound that is intimate, dynamic and truly three-dimensional, as if you're standing right there in the room with the band.

Step One: Finding the Sweet Spot in Studio 2

The first and arguably most important step in a One Mic Recording session is placing the microphone in exactly the right spot. In Studio 2, every corner, ceiling height and surface influences the sound. So we start by walking the room, clapping our hands, speaking and even playing instruments in different areas.

We're listening for a place where the sound seems to "flourish", where reflections and direct sound blend in a balanced, musical way. It’s often not in the dead center or near walls, but somewhere where the energy of the room naturally gathers. With experience, this spot becomes intuitive, but it always involves careful listening.

Height Matters: Not Too High, Not Too Low

Once we’ve located the sweet spot on the floor, we consider the height of the Josephson C700S. This microphone captures three-dimensional audio (XY and Omni), so its height drastically affects how the room is perceived.

• Too low, and the recording starts to sound dull, dominated by floor reflections and with reduced clarity.

• Too high, and the sound becomes thin and distant, losing warmth and intimacy.

Our goal is a sound that feels like you're standing right in front of the band. We usually start around chest-to-head height of a standing person and adjust by inches until the image feels full and believable.

The Angle of the Band: Reality vs. Control Room

When placing musicians, we need to remember that what we see in the studio is not necessarily what we hear in the control room. The Josephson C700S captures spatial detail with precision, so even small changes in angle or distance can have a dramatic impact on the stereo image and depth.

We don't aim to recreate a traditional stage setup. Instead, we build the image we want the listener to hear:

• Left-to-right panning is controlled by the lateral placement of the musicians relative to the mic.

• Depth (distance from the mic) determines presence, with closer instruments sounding louder and more intimate.

Musicians are often surprised to find that being only a few inches closer or further from the mic can make them sound a meter forward or back in the final mix. This is why we take our time positioning each musician and then make fine adjustments based on test recordings.

A Living Mix: The Role of Movement

In One Mic Recording there is no fader automation so balance comes from performance.
We encourage musicians to think like engineers. If a saxophonist has a solo, they may need to step slightly forward to bring the solo to the foreground. Likewise, a backing vocalist may step slightly back when not singing lead.

These movements must be minimal, just a step or even a lean, but they make a massive difference in the control room. It's a dance between the musicians and the mic and it adds to the natural flow of the performance.The Final Check: Listening Like a Listener

Once everyone is positioned and we've done a few test runs, we step into the control room and listen like a fan. Does it feel like you're in the room? Is the groove tight? Does the dynamic build naturally? If not, we go back in, adjust and repeat.

Recording with one mic demands patience and collaboration, but the result is a true soundstage, where the performance, room and recording become one.

Why It Matters for You

When you listen to a One Mic Recording from Sound Liaison, you’re hearing what really happened in that room. There are no edits, no overdubs and no artificial reverb. Just musicians in space, captured in full 3D detail by the Josephson C700S.

This approach reflects our belief that great sound doesn’t need tricks, it needs truth.

Explore our One Mic recordings on www.soundliaison.com and hear for yourself how purity, precision, and placement come together to create a truly immersive listening experience.