Some mics are used end-on, some are used side-on, but do you know your side address mics from your end-firing mics?

We asked our Facebook community “What are the most common mistakes beginners make when recording using a microphone?” We had over 150 responses and one of the stand-out comments was about which way round the microphone should be pointed, or the technical term, how to ‘address the microphone’. Take our just for fun quiz showing some well know and not so well known mics and tell us whether they are end-firing or side address?

We Know About The Image!

Before we even start we just want to make it very clear that the picture used in the banner for this article is a stock image and used to demonstrate that when you allow a photographer to stage a shot it can get embarrassing to say the least… even worse if you are in the studio and you don’t know your side from your end then you’ll not only look dumb but the sound will be less than perfect!

Side Or End Addressed Microphones

Take a look at this slideshow of 11 images you may be surprised about some of the mics and how they should be used. Use the buttons to move on the slideshow when you are ready to move on.

This is just a bit of fun but do let us know how you got on in the comments below and if any of these mics caught you out.